NS sues New York town for blocking construction of crew-change facility

Map of Norfolk Southern and CSX routes in New England

ALBANY, N.Y. — Norfolk Southern is suing Voorheesville, N.Y., which has blocked the railroad’s construction of a crew-change facility that will support the shift of its New England intermodal trains to trackage rights over CSX. In a lawsuit filed last week in U.S. District Court in Albany, N.Y., NS argued that Voorheesville’s stop-work order on […]

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NJ Transit proposes developing unused land to raise $1.9 billion

Large number of passengers wait on platform for arriving train

NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit could raise up to $1.9 billion for its operations over the next 30 years through development of more than 8,000 acres of unused agency-owned real estate, the transit operator says in a plan released on Wednesday. The proposal dubbed the “LAND Plan: Leveraging Assets for Non-Farebox Dollars” would also address […]

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J.B. Hunt profits surge despite slight drop in intermodal volume

LOWELL, Ark. — J.B. Hunt, the largest domestic intermodal operator, reported higher third-quarter profits on Wednesday as cost-cutting was more than enough to offset a 1% decline in intermodal volume. Executives also said they believe the traditional fall intermodal shipping peak will materialize this year as goods imported over the summer to beat tariff deadlines […]

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Communities to provide $650,000 in funding for Chicago-Pittsburgh passenger proposal

Map of rail line between Chicago and Pittsburgh via Columbus, Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Communities represented by two regional commissions, along with the city of Ft. Wayne, Ind., have committed some $650,000 in funding for a proposed Amtrak service linking Chicago and Pittsburgh via Ft. Wayne and Columbus. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission announced the funding, also including backing from the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, on Oct. […]

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New York begins environmental review process for Interborough Express

Illustration of blue light rail vehicles on double-track line

NEW YORK — The environmental review process has begun for Interborough Express, New York City’s first light rail service, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced on Wednesday (Oct. 15, 2025). The start of the process will include three public meetings to explain the scope of the project and the review process. The first is set for […]

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J.B. Hunt sees truck-rail conversion opportunity, and risk, in UP–NS merger

LOWELL, Ark. — J.B. Hunt executives say that if Class I railroad consolidation is really about competing with trucks, it will present an opportunity for the largest domestic intermodal provider to convert freight from highway to rail. And they said during Wednesday’s earnings call that there’s no reason they cannot continue to work with both […]

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California governor signs bill banning resale of retired diesel rail equipment

Two commuter trains await departure at station

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed into law a bill prohibiting state agencies from reselling or otherwise transferring older diesel-powered rail equipment after it has been decommissioned by a public agency. SB 30 was introduced last December by Sen. Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) in response to Caltrain’s sale of retired equipment for […]

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Iowa approves $3.3 million in funding for rail projects

Logo of Iowa Department of Transportation

CLINTON, Iowa — The Iowa Transportation Commission, which oversees transportation planning for the state, approved $3.3 million in grants and loans for four rail infrastructure and related projects within the state at its Oct. 14, 2025, meeting. https://iowadot.gov/news/2025-10-14/33-million-awarded-through-iowas-railroad-revolving-loan-and-grant-program Receiving a $1.469 million grant was a new box manufacturing plant being built by International Paper in […]

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Cathcart Rail names Driggers as new CEO

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Scott Driggers has been named CEO of Cathcart Rail, which operates three short line railroads, provides switching and transloading services, and a nationwide railcar service network. Driggers, who joined Cathcart Rail as chief operating officer in June, succeeds Jeff Chick. He brings more than 25 years of rail industry experience, including leadership […]

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Pacific Harbor Line to work with startup Remora on carbon-capture technology

WILMINGTON, Calif. — Pacific Harbor Line has entered into an agreement with Michigan-based startup Remora, which is developing carbon capture technology for freight rail and trucking. The railroad, which serves the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, is also an investor in Remora, and Peter Gilbertson, CEO of PHL’s parent company, Anacostia Rail Holdings, […]

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Rail merger talk, clues about economy likely to dominate Class I earnings calls

Freight train running down street of small town

CSX will lead off the rail industry’s third-quarter earnings season when it reports its financial results on Thursday afternoon. The earnings call will be the first time investors will hear from new CEO Steve Angel, who replaced Joe Hinrichs last month. Wall Street analysts are likely to parse every word from Angel regarding the direction […]

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