Federal regulators put higher hurdle in front of CSX-Pan Am deal (updated)

Train rounding curve in mountains

WASHINGTON — CSX Transportation’s proposed acquisition of New England regional Pan Am Railways will get a more thorough review. The Surface Transportation Board has decided that the merger application will be treated as a significant transaction, not the minor deal that CSX and Pan Am had sought. The move, announced in a draft notice in the […]

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Digest: Minnesota tank car explosion spews molasses for more than a mile

Tank car and damaged building

Tank car of molasses explodes in Minnesota, damaging building An explosion of a tank car full of molasses on Tuesday morning in Cannon Falls, Minn., spewed the sticky substance as far as a mile and a half from the site of the incident. RiverTowns.net reports the Cannon Falls Fire Department received a call about an […]

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Massachusetts congressional delegation asks for more thorough review of CSX-Pan Am deal (updated)

Commuter train at station

WASHINGTON — The Massachusetts congressional delegation has asked the Surface Transportation Board to consider CSX Transportation’s acquisition of New England regional Pan Am Railways as a significant transaction, which would put the deal under a more stringent regulatory review process. “While the STB’s procedures for a significant transaction provide additional time for interested parties to […]

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CSX defends Pan Am acquisition in the face of opposition in New England

Front of a train

WASHINGTON — CSX Transportation has defended its proposed acquisition of New England regional Pan Am Railways. Vermont Rail System, along with transportation officials from Vermont and Massachusetts, claim the deal would harm rail competition in the region and should face a more thorough review from the Surface Transportation Board. Massachusetts officials and lawmakers also expressed […]

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Massachusetts DOT, MBTA challenge CSX acquisition of Pan Am Railways

Train coming around curve

WASHINGTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority have told federal regulators that they oppose CSX Transportation’s proposed acquisition of New England regional Pan Am Railways. In a filing with the Surface Transportation Board this week, state officials claim the transaction will harm rail competition, potentially hinder commuter rail operations, and […]

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California Energy Commission awards $4 million for development of hydrogen fuel cell switcher

Yellow switcher locomotive

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The effort to develop alternative-fuel locomotives continues to gain momentum. The California Energy Commission has awarded Sierra Northern Railway and research and development firm GTI almost $4 million to fund design, development, and demonstration of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered switching locomotive. The funds will retire a Tier 0 diesel and replace it […]

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Vermont Rail System opposes CSX acquisition of Pan Am Railways (updated)

Vermont Rail System logo

WASHINGTON — Vermont Rail System has urged federal regulators to reject CSX Transportation’s proposed acquisition of neighboring New England regional Pan Am Railways, saying the deal would reduce competition. Much of VRS’s opposition, disclosed in regulatory filing on Tuesday, flows from a separate element of the Pan Am deal: The naming of a Genesee & […]

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Company seeking Tennessee Pass lease asks regulators to prohibit hazardous materials

Rio Grande Pacific logo

WASHINGTON — In an unusual move, the company seeking to lease Colorado’s Tennessee Pass line from Union Pacific is asking that shipment of hazardous materials be prohibited from the line. In a filing Monday with the Surface Transportation Board, Colorado, Midland & Pacific Railway — the affiliate of holding company Rio Grande Pacific which has […]

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Digest: Corporations exit consortium overseeing railway, port serving Churchill, Manitoba

VIA_ChurchIll_Johnston

Financier, ag firm exit consortium for Churchill, Manitoba, railway and port Two major corporations have given away their stake in the railway and port serving remote Churchill, Manitoba, but the local group overseeing both say their region will be better served by having full control. The Winnipeg Free Press reports Toronto financing firm Fairfax and […]

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Digest: Shortline derailment leads to new rules from Transport Canada

Derailed train by grain elevator

Transport Canada issues new rules as a result of Goderich, Ontario, derailment Transport Canada is issuing new rules regarding air brakes as a result of last month’s derailment of a train in Goderich, Ontario. The CBC reports the update to the Railway Safety Act announced by Transport Minister Omar Alghabra are intended to reduce the […]

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Digest: Georgia excursion train set for sold-out debut

Map showing route of Azalea Sprinter excursion train

‘Azelea Sprinter’ excursion train debuts in Georgia A new Georgia excursion train will debut this weekend with sold-out trips. WALB-TV reports the Azelea Sprinter, operating by CaterParrott Railnet on the Georgia & Florida Railroad, sold out its first three trips in less than two days. The train will depart from Nashville, Ga., and offer three […]

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All-female steam crew to help Strasburg Rail Road mark International Women’s Day

Two women railroaders pose near the pilot of a steam locomotive.

RONKS, Pa. — Strasburg Rail Road’s first-ever all-female steam engine crew will run all trips for the Pennsylvania tourist line this Saturday, March 6. The assignment coincides with International Women’s Day (March 8) and Women’s History Month. In the cab will be Andrea Biesecker as engineer and Shelley Hall as fireman. They will run the […]

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