
Wabtec Lands Orders from CN, Fortescue
CN will roll out Wabtec’s new Precision Dispatch System, and mining company Fortescue Metals Group of western Australia will take delivery of Wabtec-modernized locomotives over the next two years.
CN will roll out Wabtec’s new Precision Dispatch System, and mining company Fortescue Metals Group of western Australia will take delivery of Wabtec-modernized locomotives over the next two years.
On May 31, we held a discussion with five expert panelists who provided insights into the current state and outlook of the rail, locomotive and railcar leasing and manufacturing markets. Overall, railcar demand recovery has been driven largely by freight cars, but our panelists indicated that tank car utilization and rates are rising. If this continues and eventually leads to higher tank builds, it could be a margin tailwind for manufacturers. As for the broader railcar market, inquiries remain strong, but labor and disruptions could limit production. Locomotive upgrades remain solid.
As the Surface Transportation Board (STB), Federal Maritime Commission and Department of Transportation struggle to ease a problematic supply chain crisis, pressure is mounting on the National Mediation Board (NMB) to prevent a nationwide railroad work stoppage by guiding rail labor and management to a voluntarily negotiated agreement to amend union-member wages, benefits and work rules.
National Railway Equipment Company (NRE) has appointed Merritt Becker CEO, effective June 1.
Construction is under way at MxV Rail’s new railroad testing facility at the PuebloPlex campus in Colorado, which is set to open this fall.
Transport Canada has approved revisions to the Canadian Rail Operating Rules and the Locomotive Inspection and Safety Rules to reduce the risk of uncontrolled train movements.
Union Pacific (UP), in partnership with Wabtec and Renewable Energy Group (REG), earlier this month started a “trial of 100% renewable fuels as part of our comprehensive ESG initiative called Building a Sustainable Future 2030.”
Norfolk Southern (NS) has published a report on the sustainability initiatives funded through its May 2021 issuance of $500 million in green bonds.
RAILWAY AGE MAY 2022 ISSUE: 2021’s minor fleet size decrease reflects COVID-19’s economic impacts and excess locomotive supply due to utilization improvements surrounding PSR (Precision Scheduled Railroading).
RAILWAY AGE, MAY 2022 ISSUE: Welcome to “Timeout for Tech with Gary T. Fry, Ph.D., P.E.” Each month, we examine a technology topic that professionals in the railway industry have asked to learn more about. This month, we discuss risk of failure and methods we can use to quantify this risk.