T-REX: New plan to integrate dinosaur NYC transit systems
A new report from Regional Plan Association (RPA) calls for the merging of Metro-North Railroad, New Jersey Transit and Long Island Rail Road into a single integrated network.
CSX 1Q18 financials: Records broken, but where is volume growth?
CSX on April 17 posted record earnings and an all-time low operating ratio—based almost entirely on cost-cutting measures, headcount reductions, rate increases and stock buybacks, not volume growth.
Vehicle shipments lead new carload report
Intermodal shipments and motor vehicle volumes regained some of their luster among U.S. Class 1 railroads in the latest weekly carload data.
Cowen and Company surveys “generally positive”
Parallel first-quarter 2018 surveys conducted by Cowen and Company with rail shippers, and with shippers who own or lease railcars, indicate that the market is “generally positive” for railroads and railcar manufacturers.
Ontario LRT update: Hamilton; Kitchener-Waterloo
Two light rail new-starts in Canada’s Ontario province appear to be on diverging paths. Hamilton’s is at the RFP stage, while Kitchener-Waterloo’s opening has been delayed, again.
Breaking News
Railcar builder Greenbrier reshapes leadership roles
The Greenbrier Companies, with an eye on the future. announced new corporate officer assignments and promotions.
CP begins network shutdown after union strike notices
Canadian Pacific has initiated a shutdown of its network after a strike notice from two unions.
CN adding to boxcar fleet
CN announced it would acquire 350 boxcars to meet growing demand among industrial customers across its North American network.
Canadian Pacific net slows on higher expenses
First-quarter profit fell 19.3% at Canadian Pacific Railway on higher expenses across its network.
Norfolk Southern awards safe chem shippers
Norfolk Southern has awarded its 2017 Thoroughbred Chemical Safety Award to 52 chemical customers in recognition of their safe handling of rail-shipped products.
High-speed commuter rail line to open in Connecticut
Connecticut will soon begin operations on a long-delayed interstate commuter rail line connecting the capital and one of the state’s largest cities.
RFP for VIA Rail flagship fleet replacement
Canada’s VIA Rail has followed up on news that Ottawa will help fund replacement of locomotives and rolling stock on its most heavily-traveled route.
CSX serves new SC inland box hub
CSX has added another South Carolina stop on its intermodal route to inland markets.
APTA rewards Caltrain sustainability
Greening efforts by a California rail agency and bus operator have been noticed by a major transit advocacy group.
Opinion
Want airline food? Take Amtrak
Ex-Florida Congressman John Luigi Mica, a foodie who spent a considerable amount of time when he was Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee questioning Amtrak’s food service costs, must be very pleased with Amtrak’s announcement that it’s getting rid of dining cars on two long-distance trains.
House Dems grill somnolent STB
Were there any doubt that the Surface Transportation Board (STB) has been on siesta since the departure of former Chairman Dan Elliott in September, a House Rail Subcommittee oversight hearing April 17 confirmed the languor.
Rapid confirmation seen for STB nominees
Senior Senate legislative aide Patrick J. Fuchs and commuter railroad attorney Michelle A. Schultz, both Republicans, appeared April 11 before the Senate Commerce Committee as a first crucial step toward Senate confirmation to become members of the Surface Transportation Board (STB), which administers remnants of what until 1980 was almost a century of pervasive railroad economic regulation.
Watching Washington, April 2018: Steep tariffs harm rails, wallets
Debates rage over the wisdom of steeper tariffs on U.S. imports and/or withdrawing from global trade pacts in hopes of protecting domestic industry and jobs. History teaches such actions pose economic and national security risks.
Labor lawyer Clint Miller: Requisat in pace
Clint Miller studied, recited and practiced railroad labor law with such determination, devotion and precision that his management adversaries often were converted to fans. Had cancer instead picked its fight with him in a courtroom, few would have expected his death last week at age 70.
Safety won’t improve with incomplete, inaccurate data
What a world. FRA is on Twitter and Facebook and YouTube. NTSB is on Twitter and YouTube, and might be on Facebook, but I don’t know since the NTSB website doesn’t say one way or another, and I’m not on Facebook or Twitter, and not, to my knowledge on YouTube, or if I am, it’s not my doing, I promise.
Stop the hand wringing. Things aren’t that bad.
So far, 2018 has left freight railroaders in a funk. Many, if not all, of the Class I’s face real service challenges; potentially disruptive trade policies threaten near-term traffic volumes; and, ever-increasing vehicle automation is pictured on the horizon like a serpent, ready to gobble up the railroads once and for always.
Rail grievance backlog haunts NMB
An essential task of the National Mediation Board (NMB), which administers the Railway Labor Act (RLA), is to resolve grievances of union-represented railroad employees relating to contract interpretation and workplace discipline.
Begeman named permanent STB chairman
Ann Dawn Begeman was designated permanent chairman of the Surface Transportation Board (STB) March 19 by President Trump. She has been acting chairman since January 2017.
MTA Genius Transit Challenge needs a holistic view
I read with great interest the Railway Age article on March 9 announcing the winners of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Genius Transit Challenge.