CSX debuts Chessie System heritage locomotive

CSX Transportation CEO Joe Hinrichs showed off the railroad’s second heritage locomotive today on LinkedIn: ES44AH No. 1973, a salute to the Chessie System. “The Chessie Cat is back! Here is the CSX Chessie System locomotive #1973,” Hinrichs wrote. “Enjoy! Great job again by our Waycross team.” The locomotive was painted at CSX’s Waycross, Ga., […]

Read More…

Hearing on Madison Square Garden sees sharp disagreement, no decision

Rendering of Penn Station renovation with Madison Square Garden arena

NEW YORK — A representative for Madison Square Garden argued at a Wednesday hearing that a recent report by Penn Station’s rail operators saying the arena and station are “not compatible” is a negotiating ploy by the rail agencies as the arena seeks a permit to continue operations. The six-hour hearing before New York City’s […]

Read More…

Coast Guard to impose twice-hourly bridge openings on Brightline route

Freight train with two locomotives and LNG tender crossing bridge

STUART, Fla. — The U.S. Coast Guard has issued an order changing rules for opening Florida East Coast Railway’s single-track drawbridge over the Okeechobee Waterway of the St. Lucie River that could seriously disrupt Brightline’s plan to begin hourly service between Miami and Orlando this summer. The change could also result in miles-long FEC freight […]

Read More…

Michigan announces $19 million in grants for freight rail projects

Train with blue and gray locomotive in snow

LANSING, Mich. — Ten railroads will receive a total of $19 million for a dozen projects as the first round of recipients for the Michigan Rail Enhancement Grant Program announced today (Friday, June 9). The 2023 projects funded by the state Department of Transportation, selected in a competitive process, will improve rail safety, operational efficiency, […]

Read More…

In latest safety advisory, FRA makes additional hot bearing detector recommendation

WASHINGTON — In the wake of a May 10 Norfolk Southern derailment in Pennsylvania, the Federal Railroad Administration today issued a safety advisory recommending that railroads implement safeguards to ensure that hot bearing detectors properly report defects. The supplemental advisory adds a fifth recommendation to the four spelled out in a March 3 safety advisory […]

Read More…

CPKC intermodal train derails in Alberta

CPKC logo

CLUNY, Alberta — “Multiple cars” of a CPKC intermodal train derailed Thursday afternoon in Alberta, a CPKC representative told CTV News. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said in a statement today to CTV that 14 cars had derailed. No injuries were reported and no hazardous materials were involved. The TSB is investigating and assessing […]

Read More…

Saskatchewan announces grants for short line railways

Two red locomotives

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan — Thirteen provincially regulated short line railways will receive a total of C$530,000 in grants through Saskatchewan’s Short Line Railway Improvement Program, the provincial government announced Thursday. Grants are determined by the trackage of each railway, with the smallest lines, of less than 80 kilometers (50 miles) receiving $25,000. Seven lines — Thunder […]

Read More…

Cleveland calls on railroads to fix bridges needing ‘critical repairs’

Norfolk Southern train crossing lift bridge. CSX, NS cited for 99 bridge, property violations.

CLEVELAND — The City of Cleveland says 23 of the city’s railroad bridges are in need of critical repairs, and is seeking ways to ensure railroads address the issue. WOSU Radio reports the city presented that list, as well as a list of another 76 bridges in need of non-critical repairs, at a Thursday press […]

Read More…

Twenty cars of CN train derail in Saskatchewan

Canadian National logo

FORT QU’APPELLE, Saskatchewan — No injuries were reported after a locomotive and 20 cars of a Canadian National train derailed Wednesday evening near the town of Fort Qu’Appelle, CKOM Radio reports. CN said in a statement to the station that no hazardous materials were involved and no fires occurred as a result. Cars were expected […]

Read More…

BNSF derailment in Arizona leads to Southwest Chief cancellations

Aerial view of derailed auto racks

WILLIAMS, Ariz. — Twenty-three cars of a BNSF Railway train carrying new vehicles derailed east of Williams, Ariz., Thursday night, leading to cancellation of Amtrak Southwest Chief service through the area today, KAFF Radio reports. The derailment involving a 167-car train occurred about 11:20 p.m., according to Coconino County Emergency Management. A BNSF representative told […]

Read More…

A year after acquisition, CSX continues making improvements to former Pan Am Railways trackage

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation has made major upgrades to Pan Am Railways’ physical plant since acquiring the New England regional a year ago — and there’s more to come as part of its two-year plan. “Since the CSX acquisition of the former Pan Am Railways, significant progress has been made to improve the physical […]

Read More…

Freight forecaster: Intermodal doldrums will run through next year

Yellow locomotives leading train of double-stacked containers over bridge

Don’t expect North American intermodal traffic to break out of its slump anytime soon. The decline of imports from pandemic-related highs, the ongoing shift of imports to East Coast and Gulf Coast ports, and tough truck competition are all contributing to the 10% decline in intermodal volume for the year to date, says Todd Tranausky, […]

Read More…