Chemical producers say UP-NS merger would hurt shippers, consumers

WASHINGTON — The trade group representing chemical manufacturers says a Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger would reduce rail competition and increase freight rates, which in turn will contribute to inflation that will harm American consumers, manufacturers, and farmers. “The additional costs that are the likely result of this merger are ultimately going to hit everyday Americans,” […]

Read More…

Maryland DOT awards grants to five rail projects

Maryland Department of Transportation logo

HANOVER, Md. — The Maryland Department of Transportation has awarded $1.2 million in funding as part of the inaugural awards under its Freight Rail Grant Program launched this year. Five projects have received funding under MDOT’s Office of Rail and Intermodal Freight as part of a program to help preserve railroad corridors, support economic development, […]

Read More…

Young Guns in Preservation: Andrew Ossler

Young individual leaning out of cab of a steam locomotive

Andrew Ossler grew up visiting one of North America’s largest railroad museums, located just a short drive from his home. That helped cultivate a passion for railroading in the now 26-year-old, who has since joined the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, Ill., as a key volunteer. A teacher by day, Ossler spends his spare time […]

Read More…

South Central Florida Express, U.S. Sugar promote Lawson

Logo of U.S. Sugar

CLEWISTON, Fla. — Short line South Central Florida Express and its parent company, U.S. Sugar, have named Bob Lawson vice president of South Central Florida Express and general manager of U.S. Sugar Railroad Operations. Lawson has served as general manager of harvest and railroad operations since 2011 and general manager of railroad operations since June […]

Read More…

Amtrak to livestream portion of upcoming board meeting

Amtrak logo.

WASHINGTON — Amtrak’s board of directors will once again provide live streaming of a portion of its next meeting, set for Wednesday, Sept. 10. The live stream is set for noon to 1 p.m. ET. Members of the public who wish to watch on Zoom must register in advance here. There will be no public […]

Read More…

Transport minister says ‘Made in Canada’ summit was productive

Head shot of woman with dark hair in black clothing

HAMILTON, Ontario — Canada’s Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, Chrystia Freeland, says the nation’s rail and shipbuilding interests agree they should use as much Canadian-made steel and aluminum as possible as part of their manufacturing efforts. Freeland convened a “Made in Canada” summit meeting in Hamilton on Tuesday including rail manufacturers, shipbuilders, and steel […]

Read More…

Menards O rail maintenance office

Color photo of O scale rail maintenance office with boxcar body, pickup truck, trees, and figures on scenicked base on white background.

Menards O rail maintenance office Scale: O (1:48) Price: $49.99 Manufacturer: Menards, 5106 Menard Dr., Eau Claire, WI 54703; menards.com/trains Menards O rail maintenance office features: Factory-assembled scene Factory-installed figures, barrels, cans, crates, ladder, and railroad ties Includes small Cripple Creek & Western Rail Maintenance sign on left side of boxcar and large logo on right […]

Read More…

NextGen Acelas’ first week a mixed bag

Blue and white streamline passenger train on straight track after curve

WASHINGTON — Delays principally caused by faulty door activation and slower running over what are normally the fastest portions of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor have tempered the generally warm reception the “Next Generation” Acela trainsets received when they debuted last week. But the trainsets are now offering passengers a welcome — and long overdue — alternative […]

Read More…

U.S. weekly rail traffic edges back above 2024 levels

Weekly table showing U.S. carload rail traffic by commodity type, plus overal intermodal traffic

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic improved slightly over 2024 levels for the week ending Aug. 30, 2025, according to the Association of American Railroads. Weekly rail traffic was 521,502 carloads and intermodal units, a 0.9% increase over the same week a year ago. That ended a two-week interlude in which traffic was slightly below previous-year […]

Read More…