EDITOR’S NOTE: Trains readers aren’t the only ones to wonder about happenings in the railroad world. Trains editors and friends recently shared an email discussion about why two Class I railroads near Trains’ headquarters removed a connection at a diamond crossover. Here’s a condensed, edited version of the best explanation we’ve seen: A: I would […]
Train Topic: Railroad Operations
Ask Trains: Why do EOTs only flash at night?
EOTs — end-of-train device Q: In track side watching and in videos, I note that end-of-train devices only flash at night. Why is this? — William Carpenter West Chester Township, Ohio The Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee (NORAC) rulebook used by most northeastern railroads states that each train occupying a main track or controlled siding […]
CN and CSX team up for new interline intermodal service linking Canada and Northeast NEWSWIRE
CSX Transportation, from a service advisory NEW YORK CITY — Canadian National and CSX Transportation will launch joint intermodal service this fall linking Toronto and Montreal with New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. The service, announced on Thursday and set to begin in October, is unusual because it’s a short haul for both railroads, which […]
Genesee & Wyoming earnings dragged down by international operations NEWSWIRE
DARIEN, Conn. — Genesee & Wyoming’s second quarter revenue and operating income declined, dragged down by slumping international operations that more than offset improved North American results. The shortline holding company’s operating income declined 9%, to $4.2 million, as revenue sank 4%, to $571.5 million, G&W said in a regulatory filing late Wednesday. Earnings per […]
AAR: Carload and intermodal traffic down nearly 5% and 6%, respectively NEWSWIRE
Association of American Railroads WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Aug. 3, as well as volumes for July 2019. U.S. railroads originated 1,264,100 carloads in July 2019, down 4.8%, or 64,406 carloads, from July 2018. U.S. railroads also originated 1,314,333 containers and trailers in July […]
BNSF Railway’s quarterly revenue and profit rise despite traffic slump NEWSWIRE
FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway reported higher second quarter profits on Friday despite a traffic slump and disruptive Midwestern flooding. BNSF’s pre-tax profit rose 7%, to $1.8 billion, as revenue rose 0.3%, to $5.9 billion, corporate parent Berkshire Hathaway reported in a regulatory filing. The railroad’s operating ratio improved 2.1 points to 65.4% for […]
Coal exports decline, railroad impacts starting to surface NEWSWIRE
NEW YORK CITY — Considered a stopgap a few years ago for declining U.S. coal production and its effects on transportation providers, the export market — especially that in Europe — is fading. Lower natural gas prices are hastening European conversion of power generation away from coal, says an analysis released by investment bank Morgan […]
Georgia Ports Authority credits railroads with intermodal container volume gains in 2019 NEWSWIRE
Port of Savannah Georgia Ports Authority SAVANNAH, Ga. — Rail intermodal is credited for record Port of Savannah container volume for its fiscal year ending June 30. The port moved 4.5 million 20-foot equivalent container units in fiscal 2019, a 7.3% increase, port officials say. Terminal employees “and our two Class I rail providers — […]
AAR: Total US carload and intermodal traffic slides, again NEWSWIRE
Association of American Railroads WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 27. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 534,498 carloads and intermodal units, down 4.4% compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending July 27 were 261,706 […]
FRA has new safety chief NEWSWIRE
WASHINGTON — The Federal government has a new top safety executive. Karl Alexy is now serving as the Federal Railroad Administration’s Associate Administrator for Safety and is the agency’s chief safety officer. Alexy assumes the post from Robert C. Lauby, who retired from the agency earlier this year. According to the FRA’s website Alexy joined […]
West Virginia’s only intermodal terminal to close for lack of traffic, infrastructure upgrades NEWSWIRE
PRICHARD, W.Va. — After three and a half years, West Virginia wants out of its Heartland Intermodal Gateway in Wayne County. The West Virginia Port Authority board has authorized negotiating short-term leasing of the 100-acre facility with the intent of selling it at auction within a year, according to Transport Topics. Once touted as a […]
Shippers to Congress: Precision Scheduled Railroading is anything but NEWSWIRE
WASHINGTON — The Class I railroads adopting Precision Scheduled Railroading operating models say they are providing better service as they become more efficient. But disgruntled shippers tell a different story: They say they’re paying the price for cutbacks in people and motive power that make railroads more profitable as service suffers. Railroad customers and their […]
