The Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) comment period closed Nov. 7 for the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) it issued this fall in Docket No. EP 711 (Sub-No. 2), Reciprocal Switching for Inadequate Service.
Total year-over-year carload and intermodal volumes for U.S. railroads rose for the second consecutive month in October. And they were “the most for any month since June 2021, a span of 28 months,” Association of American Railroads (AAR) Senior Vice President John T. Gray reported Nov. 1. “Part of that relates to intermodal seasonality and concerns over Panama Canal capacity, but part of it also reflects an economy that remains resilient as reflected by recent strong GDP data.”
Through the first 42 weeks of 2023 (ending Oct. 21), total North American carload and intermodal traffic decreased 3.5% from the same point last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Oct. 25. Both the U.S. and Canada experienced declines, while Mexico saw a gain.
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) on Oct. 18 reported that Andy Ash, retired Director of Dangerous Goods at the Railway Association of Canada (RAC), and 27 shippers have earned industry awards for their commitment to the safe transport of hazardous materials (hazmat).
The American Short Line and Railroad Association (ASLRRA) recently announced that Kathi Birch has joined as the new Legal and Office Administrator. She will be responsible for a range of administrative and paralegal duties, and will report to Senior Vice President, Law and General Counsel Sarah Yurasko.
Train consist makeup, not defective wheelsets, caused the March 4, 2023 derailment of a Norfolk Southern train in Springfield, Ohio. The Association of American Railroads (AAR) on April 14 cancelled EI (Equipment
For the week ending Oct. 14, 2023 (Week 41), total U.S. rail traffic was 492,781 carloads and intermodal units, up 0.5% from the prior-year period, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Oct. 18. It is the fifth consecutive week of gains for intermodal units while carloads took a dip.
The state of Kansas on Nov. 3 will put into effect an administrative rule requiring two-person freight railroad crews.
For the week ending Oct. 7, 2023 (Week 40), total U.S. rail traffic was 499,217 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.0% from the prior-year period, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Oct. 11. It is the fourth consecutive week of gains for carloads and intermodal units.
“Rail traffic, although improving, remains in uncertain territory along with the economy,” Association of American Railroads (AAR) Senior Vice President John T. Gray reported Oct. 4. While intermodal had “the best volume month of the year in September,” he said, “a sustained boost across rail categories will require stronger overall industrial growth.”