STB Permits Amtrak to Access CSX Yard
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Nov. 29 decided that Amtrak may access CSX’s Choctaw Yard in Mobile, Ala., as part of its Gulf Coast service planning efforts.
Freight
STB Establishes New Class Exemption for Emergency Temporary Trackage Rights
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has adopted a final rule establishing a new “emergency temporary trackage rights class exemption” that could be invoked during natural disasters, accidents or derailments; the rule is effective Dec. 30, 2021.
KCS Announces ‘Holiday Express’ Challenge
Kansas City Southern’s (KCS) Holiday Express program has raised nearly $120,000 this year to benefit The Salvation Army in 21 communities across its U.S. rail network, and the Class I railroad has issued a challenge grant to raise even more.
CSX EVP Mark Wallace Dies at 52
CSX Executive Vice President Mark K. Wallace died on Nov. 28 following a battle with cancer, CSX reported.
Howard Street Tunnel Expansion Project Launches
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan led public- and private-sector leaders in breaking ground on the $466 million Howard Street Tunnel expansion project, which will reconstruct the 126-year-old freight rail tunnel to accommodate double-stack container trains to and from the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore.
A ‘Gow’ Infused STB Chairman
Years ago, as general counsel to the Illinois Racing Commission, Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairperson Martin J. Oberman chased the “gow”—jockey-speak for opium used illegally to improve race horse performance. These days, the 76-year-old Oberman is himself infused with a legal form of gow: an unabated resolve to use his regulatory cudgel to splinter railroad market power.
CP’s Creel Earns CEO of Year From Canadian Magazine
The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business magazine has named Canadian Pacific (CP) President and CEO Keith Creel one of five CEOs representing “the best of Canadian corporate leadership, innovation, vision and responsibility” in 2021, plus overall CEO of the Year.
CN Launches Indigenous Advisory Council
CN’s Indigenous Advisory Council (IAC) kicked off its inaugural meeting with 10 new members, in addition to Co-Chairs Roberta Louise Jamieson, OC, Kanyen’kehà:ka, and Murray Sinclair, C.C., M.S.M., Mizhana Geezhik.
Mexican Authorities OK CPKC
Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS) have received the required Mexican regulatory pre-transaction control approvals for their proposed combination, Canadian Pacific Kansas City.
Intermodal Briefs: TexAmericas Center, Fortress
New Boston, Tex.-based TexAmericas Center (TAC) has acquired Lone Star Railcar Storage Company’s contracts and assets. In addition, Fortress Transportation and Infrastructure Investors (FTAI) has partnered with Clean Planet Energy to develop waste plastic recycling and “circular-fuel production” facilities across North America.