New U.S. tariffs pummel railroad stocks (updated)

Yellow locomotives leading train of double-stacked containers over bridge

Railroad stocks tumbled today in response to the Trump administration’s Wednesday announcement of widespread tariffs on U.S. trading partners. It was an indication that investors believe the tariffs will raise prices and have a negative impact on consumer spending, which in turn will reduce demand for the raw materials and finished products that railroads carry. […]

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Light rail service fully restored by Santa Clara VTA

Map of San Jose, Calif.-area light rail system

SAN JOSE, Calif. — All Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light rail service has been restored as of today (April 3, 2025), marking the first time since March 9 the three-line, 42-mile, 60-station system has been fully operable. The Green Line, between Old Ironsides in Santa Clara and Winchester in Campbell, was the last line […]

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BNSF and NS team up with Pacific Northwest ports for faster intermodal service

intermodal train approaches curve with bluffs as backdrop

BNSF Railway, Norfolk Southern, and the Northwest Seaport Alliance have teamed up to offer faster international intermodal service to inland points from the ports in Seattle and Tacoma. The new service, they announced yesterday, will cut three days from existing transit times for traffic from the Pacific Northwest destined to and through Chicago. Port terminals […]

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N&W No. 1218 gains state, national historic recognition

Articulated steam locomotive rounds curve with passenger excursion train

ROANOKE, Va. — Norfolk & Western Class A locomotive No. 1218, the 2-6-6-4 built by the railroad’s East End Shops in Roanoke in 1943, will be added to the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated as a Virginia Historic Landmark. The locomotive, retired in 1959 and restored for excursion service between 1987 […]

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U.S weekly rail traffic shows strong gains

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

WASHINGTON — Big gains in both carload and intermodal traffic lifted U.S. weekly rail traffic to its biggest gains over 2024 levels in 10 weeks, and the second-biggest gain of the year. Statistics from the Association of American Railroads for the week ending March 29 show total volume of 513,553 carloads and intermodal units, an […]

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South Shore hoping to open West Lake line in August or September

Map of 8-mile branch on South Shore Line

CHESTERTON, Ind. — The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District remains hopeful that it can open the South Shore Line’s new West Lake Corridor in late August or early September, but that would require shaving more than a month off the contractors’ current estimate. Lakeshore Public Media reports NICTD President Mike Noland told the agency’s board […]

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OmniTRAX taps BNSF executive Colby Tanner as its next CEO

DENVER – Shortline holding company OmniTRAX today (April 2, 2025) named BNSF Railway sales and marketing executive Colby Tanner as its next CEO. Tanner, who brings a combination of railroad and real estate development experience to OmniTRAX, will begin working at OmniTRAX on April 15 alongside current CEO Dean Piacente. The duo aims to accelerate […]

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New map introduced for New York City subways

Schematic-style subway map for New York City

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has unveiled a redesigned version of its subway map, an instantly recognizable symbol of New York City and its transportation. The new design, the first since 1979, offers a more stylized, diagrammatic style than the more geographically accurate current version. The MTA says the white background, bold colors, […]

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Specially wrapped locomotive part of NJ Transit observance of Autism Acceptance Month

Blue electric locomotive with multicolored infinity sign on front and sides

NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit is recognizing Autism Acceptance month with events including wrapping one of its locomotives to promote acceptance, and featuring station announcements recorded by neurodiverse children. “NJ Transit is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming transit system that reflects the diverse communities we serve,” NJ Transit Board Chair Fran O’Connor said […]

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APM Terminals acquires Panama Canal Railway from CPKC and Lanco Group/Mi-Jack

Container train next to body of water

CALGARY, Alberta – Canadian Pacific Kansas City and the Lanco Group/Mi-Jack have sold the Panama Canal Railway to APM Terminals, a global terminal operator and an independent division of A.P. Moller-Maersk. The 47.6-mile railway provides ocean-to-ocean freight and passenger services along the Panama Canal and has been a 50/50 joint venture between CPKC subsidiary Kansas […]

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Overnight dreams — Lunatrain targets the Northeast: Analysis

Rendering of one-person sleeping compartment on train

Second of two parts Two companies, Dreamstar Lines and Lunatrain, are seeking to revive U.S. interest in overnight train travel, noting the resurgence of such trips in Europe. Part one of this analysis (available here) looked at Dreamstar, which is focused on service between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Today, part two looks at Lunatrain, […]

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Texas legislation on roadways seeks to hinder high-speed rail development

Texas Central logo

AUSTIN, Texas — In the latest move by opponents of high speed rail in Texas, a state legislator has introduced a bill that to prevent state and local funding to alter roadways to accommodate high speed projects. House Bill 1402 was introduced by Rep. Cody Harris (R-Palestine). It would amend a law passed in 2017 […]

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