Intermodal congestion will persist for months, experts say

Containers on railcars in foreground with many stacked containers behind

LONG BEACH, Calif. — It will take at least six months to alleviate monumental intermodal congestion that stretches from Asian ports, across the Pacific to U.S. ports, and on to railroads and their inland terminals. “The intermodal industry is under unprecedented strain … worse than anything I’ve seen in 41 years that I’ve been in […]

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Brightline, FEC activate first new double-track segment this week

Red-and-yellow locomotives with fuel tender cross street

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — It’s only 13 miles of a 129-mile project, but this week’s planned activation of a second main track between West Palm Beach and Jupiter, Fla., represents tangible progress in Brightline’s northward expansion. Restoration of the second main on Florida East Coast’s line to Cocoa, Fla., helps establish a fluid, 110-mph-capable […]

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Kansas City Southern accepts Canadian Pacific merger offer

Logos for Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern on Sunday accepted Canadian Pacific’s $300 per share merger offer, spurning Canadian National’s higher bid due to its regulatory obstacles. In a midday press release, KCS said its board had determined CP’s revised offer constituted a “Company Superior Proposal” as defined in the agreement with CN. CP extended the […]

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Wabtec, Genesee & Wyoming, Carnegie Mellon form consortium for rail sustainability effort

Red and gray locomotive parked on track along river

PITTSBURGH — A rail manufacturer, shortline holding company, and university have announced formation of a consortium that they hope will revolutionize American railroading and eventually reduce the industry’s carbon footprint to zero. Pittsburgh-based Wabtec Corp.; Carnegie Mellon University, known for its engineering curriculum; and shortline and regional railroad operator Genesee & Wyoming announced Friday, Sept. 10, […]

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CP, Maersk open new Vancouver transload facility

Logo for container shipping company Maersk

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Canadian Pacific and container-ship operator Maersk have opened their new Vancouver transload facility, adjacent to the railroad’s Vancouver Intermodal Facility. Construction was completed in August, with operations beginning Sept. 1 and first containers arriving earlier this week. The facility will allow cargo to be moved between international containers and domestic 53-foot […]

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Weekly rail traffic down from 2020 levels

Weekly table showing U.S. rail traffic by commodity type, as well as intermodal volume

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Sept. 4 fell compared to the same week in 2020, as well as the previous week in 2021. Statistics from the Association of American Railroads show U.S. railroads originated a total of 494,415 carloads and intermodal units, a 3% decrease from the figure for the 35th […]

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Galewood Yard

Freight cars line up in a rail yard seen from above

Galewood Yard The Milwaukee Road’s Galewood Yard in Chicago supported numerous rail-served industries on the city’s west side. A variety of freight cars are visible in this undated view, including boxcars, gondolas, and hoppers of both steel and wood construction. Milwaukee Road photo […]

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