From Chicago: Rail Insights: Ed Hamberger
From Chicago, and Railway Age’s Rail Insights Conference and Expo today, June 7:
freight rail
For U.S. rail freight, more of the same mix
The Association of American Railroads Thursday once more reported mixed U.S. weekly rail traffic, this time for the week ending Nov. 24, 2012. U.S. freight carload traffic fell 4.6% measured against the comparable week in 2011, but U.S. intermodal volume continued its momentum, up 1.9% for the week.
L.B. Foster reports 4Q earnings
L.B. Foster Thursday reported fourth-quarter net income of $6.1 million, or 60 cents per diluted share, compared to $6.2 million or 60 cents per diluted share, in the same quarter of 2010.
ARI notches good 4Q, full-year results
American Railcar Industries, Inc. expressed satisfaction with its fourth-quarter and full year revenue and earnings, and also voice cautious optimism on the year ahead.
Employment up year-over-year, dips from past month
Class I railroads employed 159, 333 people in mid-January, up 3.93% from January 2011, but down 0.24% overall from last December, according to figures provided by the Surface Transportation Board.
RailAmerica, RMI sign software pact
Atlanta-based RMI Wednesday said it has reached a five-year agreement with RailAmerica, Inc. for the implementation of RMI’s ExpressYard Car Repair Billing (CRB) and Operations Management Software System.
Wabtec sets record sales for 2011
Wabtec Corp. Tuesday reported sales of $1.97 billion and GAAP earnings per diluted share of $3.51, both records, for 2011. Non-GAAP EPS was $3.70, excluding special items disclosed in the second quarter.
BNSF offers new online tools for shippers
BNSF Railway Monday announced the release of two new online tools —Carload Shipping Advisor and Serving Carrier Reciprocal Switch Inquiry— that it says “allow customers to compare shipping options by price, equipment, and route for multiple origins and destinations.”
Three more unions ratify freight railroad agreements
Members of three more unions have ratified new contracts with U.S. freight railroads, it was announced Tuesday.
Patriot Rail names David Rohal VP
Patriot Rail Corp., which owns and operates 12 short line railroads, announced the appointment of David J. Rohal to its management team as vice president, reporting to Chairman, President, and CEO Gary O. Marino.