Railway Age’s 2024 Short Line Railroad of the Year is Mississippi Export Railroad (MSE). (Chip Haffner Photograph, Courtesy of MSE)

2024 SHORT LINE OF THE YEAR: MSE

RAILWAY AGE, MARCH 2024 ISSUE: After more than 100 years, MSE continues to lead the way in its commitment to safety, growth and community outreach.

BLET, B&E Ratify New Contract

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and Genesee & Wyoming subsidiary Berkshire & Eastern Railroad have ratified a new agreement governing rates of pay, benefits and work rules for 32 members.

Photo by BNSF team member Bryan Echols, who helped ensure the wind blade got to its destination safely.

Class I Briefs: BNSF, CSX, NS

BNSF makes history by moving the largest wind blade ever transported by train in North America. Also, CSX brings its locomotive simulator to the World of Nations event in Jacksonville, Fla.; and Norfolk Southern’s (NS) Coastal Division Maintenance of Way & Structures (MW&S) team celebrates two years injury-free.

RailPulse, Nexxiot Team on Telemetry

Nexxiot has signed an agreement allowing RailPulse™—the coalition established in late 2020 to “facilitate and accelerate the adoption of GPS and other telematics technology across the North American railcar network”—to act as a

Map of Norfolk Southern and Florida East Coast Railway’s domestic and international intermodal service offerings. (Courtesy of NS)

Class I Briefs: NS/FEC, CN, UP

Norfolk Southern (NS) and Class II Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) expand their international and domestic interline services. Also, CN’s “EcoChampions” share a creative way to extend equipment life and the railroad’s Intermodal International Sales and Marketing team earns a partnership award; and Union Pacific (UP) wins a supplier award.

The Port of Savannah set a February record of nearly 47,000 containers moved by rail, according to GPA. (GPA Photograph)

Intermodal Briefs: GPA, SC Ports

February was the second consecutive month of growth for the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), with rail accounting for 19% of container trade. Also, South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) advances rail-capacity projects.

Michael Miller Featured at Next-Gen Freight Rail

Michael Miller, CEO of Genesee & Wyoming (G&W), is among the featured speakers at the Railway Age Next-Gen Freight Rail 2024 Conference. Miller will discuss why “people matter most,” including what G&W

(Screen Grab of NS Video Released Via Social Media, Courtesy of NS)

NS: ‘Committed to Enhancing Safety, Aligning Management With Shareholder Interests’

Ancora Holdings Group LLC, which has launched a formal takeover attempt of Norfolk Southern (NS), issued a statement critical of the railroad’s safety record and calling for the removal of CEO Alan

“Rescue Engine 1413 is currently on scene with a train derailment in the area of Riverside Dr. in Lower Saucon. It is reported there are no injuries, with train cars into the river. Lower Saucon Fire Rescue and Northampton County Emergency Management Services are working with multiple local and state agencies on this incident,” the Nancy Run Fire Company of Bethlehem, Pa., reported early March 2 on Facebook. (Photograph Courtesy of Nancy Run Fire Company, via Facebook)

NTSB Investigating NS Collision, Derailment in Pennsylvania (UPDATED)

Three Norfolk Southern (NS) trains were involved in a derailment March 2 just east of Steel City, Pa., along the Lehigh River. There were no reported injuries to crews. An eastbound train

NS EVP and Chief Marketing Officer Ed Elkins: Rail Group On Air Podcast

Norfolk Southern Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Ed Elkins began his railroad career at Norfolk Southern in 1988 as a Road Brakeman after serving in the United States Marine Corps.

LOAD MORE