New VP for R.J. Corman switching
In a change of leadership for one of its divisions, Paul Lauritzen has joined R. J. Corman Railroad Group, LLC as Vice President of Transportation.
Switching & Terminal
2018 ASLRRA CONNECTIONS Convention awards roundup
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) presented several annual awards at the 2018 CONNECTIONS Convention in Nashville. And one of its executives became the first League of Railway Women Hall of Fame inductee.
CP’s Creel to STB: “Significant productivity, efficiency, service, financial stability gains”
Canadian Pacific on March 30 responded to the Surface Transportation Board’s March 16 blanket letter requesting information on Class I railroad 2018 service outlooks.
SFRTA names Pittman Director, O&M
The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) has appointed veteran passenger and freight railroader Lois Pittman Director of Operations & Maintenance (O&M) for the Tri-Rail regional/commuter rail system.
Class I deal: Watco adds Houston terminal
Watco Companies, LLC, the owner and operator of Greens Port Industrial Park (Greens Port), located on the Houston Ship Channel, has acquired the assets of Industrial Terminals, L.P.
FRA RFI: “Automation in the Railroad Industry”
The Federal Railroad Administration on March 29 issued an RFI (Request For Information) on “the future of automation in the railroad industry.”
Foote to STB: CSX’s “virtuous cycle”
CSX has responded to the Surface Transportation Board’s March 16 blanket letter requesting information on the Class I railroad 2018 service outlook.
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.
UP lands ONE contract
Ocean Network Express Pte. LTD (ONE) and Ocean Network Express North America have selected Union Pacific to handle all intermodal shipments arriving on ONE container ships at U.S. West Coast ports beginning April 1, 2018.
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.