BNSF warns customers about risks of UP-NS merger (updated)

Two locomotives on freight train

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway Chief Marketing Officer Tom Williams warned customers on Tuesday, Jan. 6, that the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger “poses serious risks to competition, service, and your supply chain.” BNSF has had time to review the 6,692-page UP-NS merger application that was filed with federal regulators on Dec. 19, Williams […]

Read More…

GATX car wrapped to promote heart health message

White covered hopper with red "move more" logo.

BEDFORD PARK, Ill. — Ingredion, a provider of food and beverage ingredients, and railcar leasing company GATX have introduced a covered hopper wrapped to support the American Heart Association and promote heart health. The car was unveiled Tuesday, Jan. 6, and is part of Ingredion’s long-term sponsorship of the Heart Association’s Heart of Chicago campaign. […]

Read More…

STB proposal would make it easier for shippers to reach a second railroad

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board today said it aims to repeal regulations that have effectively prevented sole-served carload and bulk shippers from seeking access to a second railroad. The regulations cover reciprocal switching, through routes, and through rates. The STB’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking would jettison Part 1144 of the federal code of regulations, […]

Read More…

Opinion: UP-NS merger will yield economic benefits

Two trains, one yellow and one black, approach the camera

The Trump Administration has rolled out a variety of proposed ideas to address the ever-present “affordability” issue. President Trump’s Dec. 17 speech on the topic proposed a number of potential changes — including efforts to reduce drug prices and mortgage payments as well as a tariff dividend — in an attempt to help consumers. However, […]

Read More…

Genesee Valley Transportation rail line sees first traffic in 25 years

Two-tone green locomotive with short train of gondola cars

CARTHAGE, N.Y. — A long-dormant Upstate New York rail line has returned to life after 25 years of inactivity. Genesee Valley Transportation subsidiary Mohawk, Adirondack & Northern restored freight rail service to its Newton Falls Line on Nov. 7, 2025, operating a five-car train to Benson Mines, N.Y. The five gondolas, bracketed by MA&N Alco […]

Read More…

FRA collects $15.4 million in penalties from Class I railroads under new process

Logo for Federal Railroad Administration

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration announced it has collected $15.4 million in civil penalties from Class I railroads under what it calls a new streamlined settlement negotiation process. The process involves discussions on the most significant cases while continuing to collect data to improve railroad safety, the FRA says. Class I railroads and Amtrak […]

Read More…

BNSF opens OKC terminal for Hobby Lobby

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway has delivered the first container loads to the vest-pocket intermodal ramp it opened in Oklahoma City for retailer Hobby Lobby. The first containers from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif., were delivered to the 42-acre terminal on Dec. 31. Locomotive Engineer Dane Sargent and Conductor Kolic […]

Read More…

R.J. Corman taps former BNSF executive Matt Igoe as chief operating officer

NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. — Former BNSF Railway operations chief Matt Igoe has been named president and chief operating officer for R.J. Corman Railroad Co., effective immediately, the shortline holding company announced on Monday. Igoe will assume responsibility for transportation, mechanical, engineering, and day-to-day network performance across the company’s 19 short lines. Igoe previously served as executive […]

Read More…

GATX, Brookfield complete acquisition of Wells Fargo rail leasing operation

Black GATX railroad tank car

CHICAGO — GATX Corp. has completed acquisition of Wells Fargo’s rail leasing operation in a joint venture with Brookfield Infrastructure Partners. The deal closed on Jan. 1, GATX said today (Jan. 5). The $4.2 billion acquisition covers approximately 101,000 railcars. “This marks an important milestone for GATX,” GATX CEO Robert C. Lyons said in a […]

Read More…

Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern defend completeness of merger application

WASHINGTON — Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern today defended their merger application as complete. UP said the Surface Transportation Board should reject the efforts, primarily by “competitors who will experience increased competition as a result of the merger,” to delay and prolong the merger process. BNSF, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, Canadian National, and CSX all […]

Read More…

News photo: Genesee & Wyoming adds to semiquincentennial locomotive fleet

Blue locomotive with red and white trim at night

NORWOOD, Ohio — Genesee & Wyoming has marked the arrival of the semiquincentennial year of U.S. independence with the latest addition to its growing fleet of 250th anniversary locomotives. Indiana & Ohio Railway C44-9W No. 4445 joins earlier commemorative locomotives at the Arizona Eastern [see “News photo: Genesee & Wyoming’s latest …,” Trains.com], as well […]

Read More…

U.S. weekly rail traffic shows small gain to conclude 2025

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

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail volume eked out a small gain over 2024 levels in the final full week of 2025, ending a nine-week string of declines compared to the prior year. According to statistics from the Association of American Railroads, traffic for the week was 392,295 carloads and intermodal units — well below the weekly […]

Read More…