Batory, accomplished rail executive, joins Michigan State University rail program

Batorymug

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Ron Batory, the career railroader whose lengthy resume includes a term as Federal Railroad Administration administrator, is joining Michigan State University’s Center for Railway Research and Education. A press release from MSU’s Broad College of Business says Batory, who has spent 52 years in the rail industry, will provide the CRRE […]

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CSX earnings slump as intermodal volume drops

Train with blue and yellow locomotives rounds curve

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation’s quarterly profits slumped due to a combination of higher costs and lower traffic volume, the railroad reported today. “The ONE CSX team continued to build momentum this quarter as our merchandise and coal businesses continued to demonstrate significant volume gains,” CEO Joe Hinrichs said on the railroad’s Thursday earnings report. […]

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CSX debuts Conrail heritage unit, the fourth in a series

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – CSX Transportation has released its fourth heritage unit, a salute to Conrail. “Okay rail fans. Here is a sneak peak of the fourth CSX Heritage Locomotive. #1976 celebrates our Conrail heritage. Look for this one out on the road soon. Another great job for our ONE CSX team in Waycross, GA. Enjoy,” […]

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New York MTA approves fare increases for subway, commuter rail, buses

Electric multiple-unit commuter train passes through station

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will increase fares on subways, commuter trains, and buses effective Aug. 20, following approval of the new fares by the MTA board on Wednesday. The fare increases are the first since 2019. They are notable because they end a period in which most transit agencies have been reluctant […]

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FRA gives environmental go-ahead for California segment of Brightline West

Illustration of high-speed Brightline West train

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration last week provided environmental clearance for a Southern California section of the proposed Brightline West high speed rail line to Las Vegas, Nev., moving the project closer to construction. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports the FRA determined there would be no significant environmental impacts for the 49-mile extension from […]

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Weekly U.S. rail traffic still down, but by less

Weekly table showing U.S. carload traffic by commodity type plus intermodal totals

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic showed its smallest single-week drop since February in the week ending July 15, with traffic down 2.4% compared to the same week in 2022. Total volume was 478,153 carloads and intermodal units. The 225,609 carloads were an increase of 0.9%, while the 252,544 containers and trailers represented at 5.3% decline. […]

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Resumption of British Columbia port strike on hold (updated)

Locomotive switching at container terminal

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The strike at British Columbia ports, which was halted by a tentative settlement, resumed, then halted by a government ruling, now appears to be in limbo. Members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union today provided a 72-hour notice of intent to strike, which set the stage for their walkout at […]

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NTSB issues preliminary report on CSX conductor trainee death

Aerial diagram of rail accident site with notations

WASHINGTON — A CSX Transportation conductor trainee was killed when he fell from a railcar during a shoving move and was hit by the train, according National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report on a fatal accident June 26 at the Seagirt Marine Terminal in Baltimore. The accident occurred about 8:05 p.m. and involved a yard […]

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BNSF appeals STB decision ordering railroad to haul more coal for Montana mining company

WASHINGTON — BNSF Railway is seeking a judicial review of the Surface Transportation Board’s preliminary injunction that orders the railroad to haul more export coal from a Montana mine to tidewater in British Columbia. Last month in a 3-2 decision the STB ordered BNSF to handle 23 trains per month from Navajo Transitional Energy Co.’s […]

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CP 4-6-4 No. 2816 to embark on Canada-U.S.-Mexico tour in 2024

CALGARY, Alberta – Mark your calendars for April 2024. That’s when Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 will embark on a celebratory tour of the Canadian Pacific Kansas City system from Calgary to Mexico City. The Final Spike Steam Tour will depart Calgary on April 14, the one-year anniversary of the merger of CP and Kansas […]

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Union Pacific to begin industry-first pilot program comparing conductors to ground-based positions

TOPEKA, Kan. — Union Pacific next month will begin a pilot program in Nebraska that will compare how quickly conductors and truck-based railroaders can respond to problems that trains encounter en route. The railroad disclosed the first of its kind Class I railroad test program Monday during a public hearing on the Kansas Department of […]

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California Zephyr again fares poorly in on-time statistics

Amtrak_Zephyr_Highlands_Lassen

WASHINGTON — The California Zephyr, Empire Builder, and Heartland Flyer all had on-time performance under 40% in the second quarter of 2023 according to statistics released today (July 18) by the Federal Railroad Administration. The Zephyr had a customer on-time performance of just 31% for the quarter, while the Builder and Flyer were both at […]

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