U.S. weekly rail traffic again shows gains

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

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic was up for a second consecutive week, according to the latest statistics from the Association of American Railroads. Statistics for the week ending Oct. 4 show U.S. volume of 503,538 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 3.6% from the same week in 2024. That includes 224,972 carloads, up 0.002% […]

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Rail union asks FAA to ban drone flights over rail infrastructure

Drone parked on launch platform

WASHINGTON — A rail union has asked the Federal Aviation Administration to ban the use of unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, above rail yards and main lines. The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division, or SMART-TD, submitted comments earlier this week on a proposed FAA rule that would allow expanded […]

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Locomotive milestone: Norfolk Southern completes modernization No. 1,000

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern marked a major milestone last month when AC44C6M No. 4947 rolled out of the Juniata Locomotive Shop as the 1,000th unit modernized through its long-running DC-to-AC conversion program. The program, which began in 2015, completely rebuilds General Electric Dash-9 units and creates a more powerful, more fuel efficient, and more reliable […]

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Arizona city votes to oppose BNSF logistics hub near Phoenix

Plan for BNSF logistics center in Arizona

SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Surprise City Council has unanimously approved a resolution opposing BNSF’s plans for a logistics hub in Wittman, Ariz. At its Tuesday, Oct. 7, meeting, the council approved a resolution saying it “cannot support the development … unless it proceeds in a manner that clearly prioritizes public safety, quality of life, and […]

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Norfolk Southern funds move of Central of Georgia Railway archive

ATLANTA — The Central of Georgia Railway archive is now housed alongside the Southern Railway’s historical records at the Atlanta History Center, thanks to a $500,000 donation from Norfolk Southern. The funding will support the processing and preservation of the historical records, making them fully accessible in one location for the first time, the Atlanta […]

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Norfolk Southern bounces back under CEO Mark George

Black locomotive with train with yellow locomotives in background

First of two parts ATLANTA — No matter how you look at it, Mark George had an eventful first year at the helm of Norfolk Southern — even setting aside the historic deal to create the first transcontinental railroad through a merger with Union Pacific. George was named chief executive on Sept. 11, 2024, after CEO […]

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MTA CEO blasts Amtrak for delays on Penn Access project (additional update)

Man speaking at podium

NEW YORK — Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Janno Lieber has blasted Amtrak for a lack of cooperation on the Penn Access infrastructure project, saying the situation is “outrageous, and it’s been a problem from the start of that project.“ Amtrak, which initially called Lieber’s statements “misinformation,” updated its initial statement Tuesday afternoon with details on […]

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New York MTA completes first phase of Park Avenue Viaduct rebuild

EMU trainsets with city skyline as backdrop and maintenance crew on one of four tracks

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has completed Phase one of the rebuilding of the Park Avenue Viaduct, the 132-year-old, four-track elevated structure in East Harlem carrying Metro-North trains to and from Grand Central Terminal. The first phase included 128 bridge installations and replacement of 8,240 track feet from East 115th Street to East […]

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Brightline West seeks $6 billion federal loan as construction costs rise

View of interstate highway in desert

WASHINGTON — Brightline West is seeking a $6 billion government loan to address increased construction costs for its planned route between Southern California and Las Vegas, Nev. A Department of Transportation document indicates the company behind the project, DesertXpress Enterprises, LLC, applied for the loan under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, which dates […]

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