Congestion nicks CSX’s earnings, volume, and revenue

CSX locomotive with coal train

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – CSX’s first quarter profits fell as congestion hurt volumes and revenue while driving up the railroad’s expenses. The railroad has been struggling operationally this year after a string of harsh storms. Roundabout detours required by the rebuilding of the hurricane-damaged Blue Ridge Subdivision and the closure of the Howard Street Tunnel in […]

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J.B. Hunt sees strong quarterly intermodal growth but faces tariff-driven uncertainty

LOWELL, Ark. – J.B. Hunt executives say their intermodal crystal ball is cloudy amid the uncertainty created by U.S. trade policy. Executives from the largest domestic intermodal operator, speaking on the company’s Tuesday evening earnings call, said customers are focused on the potential impacts of U.S. tariffs and the direction of the overall economy. “We […]

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Amtrak, NJ Transit update maintenance efforts on Northeast Corridor

Passenger train led by cab car passes stopped commuter train with locomotive in push mode.

NEWARK, N.J. — Amtrak and NJ Transit on Tuesday presented a new progress report on their work to improve reliability on the Northeast Corridor, an outgrowth of the significant operating issues experienced by both entities in summer 2024. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy hosted representatives of both operators in a “working summit” on Tuesday, April […]

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Vincennes, Ind., to install system to inform drivers of blocked crossings

Small white box containing camera attached to solar panel

VINCENNES, Ind. — The city of Vincennes has reached agreement with a Muncie, Ind., company to install a system informing drivers when railroad grade crossings are blocked. PBS station WVUT reports the city’s Board of Works approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Interfact to install cameras at six grade crossings in the city. Those cameras […]

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NJ Transit engineers reject contract

An NJ Transit Bergen County Line train

NEWARK, N.J. — Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have rejected a tentative agreement with NJ Transit by a resounding margin, setting the stage for a possible strike or lockout as soon as May 15. The union said today that 372 of the 427 BLET members casting ballots, or 87%, voted against […]

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Autonomous intermodal cars to begin testing this month

LOS ANGELES — Parallel Systems, the company developing battery-electric railcars that operate autonomously, will launch testing this month on two Georgia railroads, Parallel said on Monday (April 14, 2025). The company also announced it had raised an additional $38 million in funding, bringing its total to date to about $100 million. “Federal Railroad Administration approval […]

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Model Railroader Tips & Tricks | Choosing roadbed

Choosing roadbed | While adding track to your subroadbed layout base is an possible, you’ll want to consider installing an additional, more realistic layer of material specifically designed to support and secure your trackwork. Follow along as David shares various roadbed options that can be used across layouts of all sizes and scales! Be sure […]

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NTSB says rule violations played role in 2024 UP maintenance-of-way fatality

Aerial view of April 2024 worker fatality on Union Pacific in McNeil, Ark.

WASHINGTON — The Union Pacific employee killed in an April 11, 2024, maintenance-of-way accident in McNeil, Ark., entered the work zone of an excavating machine without informating the operator, a violation of UP rules, the National Transportation Safety Board said in its final report on the incident. Contributing factors, according to the report issued Monday […]

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FRA rescinds grant for Texas high speed project (updated)

Birds eye view of a rail line passing over a complex highway interchange.

WASHINGTON — Saying the Federal Railroad Administration and Amtrak agree the project “is a waste of taxpayer funds,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced today (April 14, 2025) that the government is rescinding a $63.9 million grant for the proposed high-speed rail line between Dallas and Houston. “The Texas Central Railway project was proposed as […]

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BNSF and SMART Yardmasters reach tentative contract agreement

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway and the SMART-TD Yardmasters have reached a tentative, five-year collective bargaining agreement. The agreement, announced on Friday, covers more than 320 yardmasters and gives covered employees certainty about enhancements to their pay, health care, and vacation. “We are pleased to reach this tentative agreement that continues to reward our […]

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Siemens executive, family killed in New York helicopter crash

Head shot of smiling man

NEW YORK — The CEO of rail infrastructure at Siemens Mobility and his family were among those killed in last week’s crash of a sightseeing helicopter, according to  media reports. Agustin Escobar, his wife, their three children, and the helicopter’s pilot were killed in the April 10 crash of the helicopter into the Hudson River […]

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BLET members ratify quality-of-life agreement with Belt Railway of Chicago

Gray and black locomotive with yellow trim

CHICAGO — Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have ratified a quality-of-life agreement with the Belt Railway of Chicago, the union has announced. Through the agreement, members of the union will for the first time have pald sick days and access to the company’s 401K program. In addition to receiving up to […]

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