Report: Investment firm advising Union Pacific on potential merger

Freight train with yellow locomotive

Union Pacific is working with Morgan Stanley investment bankers to provide guidance on the potential acquisition of another Class I railroad, the online publication Semafor reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. UP and Morgan Stanley declined to comment to the media outlet. CSX and Norfolk Southern stock prices surged on the news, […]

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Few rail projects included in latest BUILD grant awards

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation on Tuesday (July 15) announced some $488 million in grants under the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development, or BUILD, grant program. While 77% of the funding is for road and bridge projects, two projects totaling $3.2 million are designated as rail projects and at least two others […]

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U.S. rail traffic remains ahead of 2024 levels

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic was once again up in the week ending July 12, the Association of American Railroads reports. AAR statistics show volume of 496,188 carloads and intermodal units, up 2.6% compared to the same week a year ago. That included 223,968 carloads, up 4.1%, and 272,220 containers and trailers, up 1.4%. After […]

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House committee questions Duffy over grant delays, USDOT policy: Analysis

Man in suit speaking from table

WASHINGTON — U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy faced bipartisan grilling Wednesday questioning the slow pace of his department’s release of funding for already-approved infrastructure grants, as well as the reduction of Department of Transportation personnel to approve them. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing, “Oversight of the Department of Transportation’s Policies and Programs and […]

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FRA kills funding for California high speed project (updated)

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration has terminated some $4 billion in federal funding awarded to but not spent by California’s high speed rail program, following through on a longstanding goal of the Trump administration. California Gov. Gavin Newsom called the move “illegal” and vowed to fight the decision. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in […]

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NTSB issues preliminary report on rail death at Alabama steel plant

Aerial view of rail yard with overlaid graphics showing details of fatal accident

WASHINGTON — A Fairfield Southern Co. employee involved in remote-control switching died from injuries suffered when he struck a railcar on an adjacent track, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary report on the June 16, 2025, accident issued today (July 16, 2025). During switching work at the U.S. Steel Flintridge Yard in […]

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Jaguar Transport aims to buy two Washington State short lines

Map of railroad in central Washington state

WASHINGTON — Jaguar Transport Holdings, which owns or controls 11 other short lines, is seeking to buy two railroads in Washington state, the company said this week in filings with the Surface Transportation Board. The transaction would include the Columbia Basin Railroad (reporting marks CBRW) and the Central Washington Railroad (reporting marks CWAR). The Columbia […]

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J.B. Hunt intermodal volume surges in East

White intermodal containers and truck trailers on train

LOWELL, Ark. — J.B. Hunt yesterday reported lower second-quarter intermodal profits despite higher volume and revenue. Operating income declined 4%, to $95.7 million, as revenue increased 2%, to $1.44 billion. Gross revenue per load decreased 3% due to changes in mix of freight, fuel surcharge revenue, and lower rates. As the largest domestic intermodal provider, […]

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