Short Lines & Regionals

Commentary

Bearing Down on Bearings

The bearing related derailment that occurred in East Palestine Feb. 3, 2023 on a Norfolk Southern line was tragic in many ways. Following months of investigation, the NTSB held a hearing on

In August 2021, the STB Office of Environmental Analysis issued a Final EIS for the project, identifying the 88-mile Whitmore Park Alternative as the environmentally preferred route for the Uinta Basin Railway, one of three analyzed. It would extend from two terminus points in northeastern Utah’s Uinta Basin near Myton and Leland Bench to a connection with the existing Union Pacific Provo Subdivision near Kyune (see map above).

Will SCOTUS Review Uinta Basin Railway Case?

Utah’s Seven County Infrastructure Coalition has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review a lower court’s decision that “derailed” the Uinta Basin Railway project, according to Colorado Newsline. The Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) December

Commentary

Are You Ready for 2024?

Rail Equipment Finance 2024: Does anyone remember the saying “In Like a Lion—Out Like a Lamb”? Intermodal loadings ended 2023 on a strong note and started out 2024 positive as well. The

Commentary

Adapt or Decline

Growth has yet to materialize for the rail industry. What is holding this industry back? Can railroads grow again? If so, how? 2023 saw yet another decline in rail traffic volumes, continuing this industry’s decades-long gradual trend. What philosophy is leading to this outcome?

(Union Pacific Photograph)

AAR: Carloads Down, Intermodal Up for Week 10

U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 9, 2024 (Week 10) was up 5% from the prior-year period, as intermodal gains more than offset carload losses, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) latest report.