Senate confirms David Fink as leader of Federal Railroad Administration

Man at microphone gesturing as he speaks

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed David Fink’s nomination as administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration. In a 51-47 vote along party lines, Fink was confirmed as part of a block of 107 nominees who had been awaiting confirmation. President Donald Trump nominated Fink in January. Trump said the former Pan Am Railways […]

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Cando to acquire Houston rail terminal

Logo of Cando Rail & Terminal

Cando Rail & Terminals, one of North America’s largest owners and operators of first and last mile rail infrastructure, will acquire a 900-car storage, staging, and transload terminal in Houston. The Manitoba-based Cando will acquire the Channelview Terminal from Texas Deepwater Partners, the company said today (Friday, Oct. 3, 2025). “We are very pleased to […]

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Norfolk Southern claims Meridian Speedway service woes push freight to trucks

WASHINGTON — Canadian Pacific Kansas City Southern’s handling of Norfolk Southern intermodal trains on the Meridian Speedway — their joint venture shortcut linking the Southeast with Texas and the Southwest — has deteriorated to the point that some customers are shifting freight to trucks, NS claims in a letter to federal regulators. CPKC disputes this, […]

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Maintenance of way union praises former CSX chief executive

NOVI, Mich. — The union representing maintenance-of-way workers has penned a public letter of support for departed CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs, just days after SMART-TD general chairmen issued a statement critical of Hinrichs’ three-year tenure at the railroad. “Recent articles have painted Joe Hinrichs harmful to both rail labor and the railroad industry,” the Brotherhood […]

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Angel tells CSX employees his first priority as CEO is to listen and learn

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — New CEO Steve Angel introduced himself to CSX employees at a town hall meeting on Wednesday, two days after the railroad announced he had replaced Joe Hinrichs. “​​First, I want to take a moment to recognize Joe Hinrichs,” Angel said. “
He led this company through some demanding times, and made real progress […]

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CSX celebrates reopening of Blue Ridge Subdivision

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX today officially celebrated the reopening of the Blue Ridge Subdivision, nearly a year to the day after Hurricane Helene destroyed large portions of the former Clinchfield Railroad main line in rugged eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. CSX restored the key 60-mile corridor damaged by Hurricane Helene within the Blue Ridge […]

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FRA issues an emergency order for SEPTA Silverliner IV equipment

Meet of electric multiple-unit commuter trains

WASHINGTON — SEPTA on Wednesday said it would not follow a National Transportation Safety Board recommendation that it pull fire-prone Silverliner IV cars from service. But hours later the Federal Railroad Administration issued an emergency order covering the electric multiple-unit equipment. It orders SEPTA to remove groups of the cars for emergency mechanical assessments. General […]

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Analysts say stalled growth, fading pricing power drive UP–NS merger push

Why merge — and why merge now? Those were leadoff questions last week at a virtual salon where four industry veterans dissected the forces behind Union Pacific’s proposed acquisition of Norfolk Southern, the untested regulatory road ahead, and the potential ripple effects for shippers, communities, and competitors. Rick Paterson, an analyst with Loop Capital Markets, […]

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Trump administration freezes federal support for Hudson Tunnel, Second Avenue subway

Map showing amtrak construction in New York and New Jersery

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is halting reimbursements on nearly $18 billion in federal commitments to two of New York City’s largest infrastructure projects — the Hudson Tunnel and the Second Avenue Subway expansion — pending a review of contracting practices. White House budget director Russell Vought said on Wednesday the move is tied to […]

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NTSB urges SEPTA to pull Silverliner IV cars from service, citing fire risk

Meet of electric multiple-unit commuter trains

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board on Wednesday urged the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to remove its Silverliner IV coaches from service until the Philadelphia-area commuter agency can mitigate fire risk in the fleet. The NTSB concluded that the outdated design of the Silverliner IVs, in combination with SEPTA’s maintenance and operating practices, represents […]

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Primus challenges his dismissal from the Surface Transportation Board

Man in gray suit speaking at podium

WASHINGTON — Robert E. Primus filed a federal lawsuit today challenging his dismissal from the Surface Transportation Board. President Donald Trump fired Primus on Aug. 27 without giving a reason for the decision. The president has sought to exert greater control over independent agencies like the STB. He has ousted Democratic members of the Federal […]

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BNSF finishes double-track and siding projects in Texas and Arizona

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway has completed a pair of capacity projects in Texas and Arizona. On the Fort Worth Subdivision, the railroad has wrapped up a multiyear project that added eight miles of second main line between Lake Wanda and Bredenberg, just north of downtown Fort Worth. “Located between our Alliance facilities and […]

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