Ports of Indiana Receives First Aluminum Shipment at New Bonded Storage Facility at Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON, Ind. –– The Ports of Indiana this week announced that it has opened a new federally approved bonded storage facility at its Mount Vernon port, resulting in a major expansion of capabilities and enabling the port to handle its first barge shipment of aluminum.

NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on Amtrak Worker Fatality in Pennsylvania

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– The National Transportation Safety Board this week released its preliminary report on the death of an Amtrak track worker on February 23, 2026.

Georgia Ports Authority Announces May 2026 Opening for New Inland Port in Gainesville, Ga.

SAVANNAH –– The Georgia Ports Authority has announced that the new inland port in Gainesville, Ga. will open on May 4, 2026. Gainesville is about 60 miles north of Atlanta, is a stop on the former Southern Railway and now Norfolk Southern, and is often referred to as the poultry capital of the world.

Amtrak Advances Major Infrastructure Projects

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Amtrak recently released an updated report on the major infrastructure projects the agency currently has underway.

For CSX, Drones Are An Important Item In The Toolbox

JACKSONVILLE –– CSX employs drones for inspection and engineering assessments and has found them to be among of the key tools supporting the operation of the railroad.

Union Pacific Announces America250 Celebration Featuring President Donald J. Trump Locomotive, America250 Locomotive, and Big Boy Steam Eastern Operation

OMAHA –– Union Pacific last week announced its America250 Celebration, featuring a locomotive honoring President Donald J. Trump, an America250 locomotive, and the initial leg of the Big Boy 4014 Eastern steam tour.

Texas Rail Grade Separation Projects Obtain New Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Grade crossing separation projects received a funding boost this week with the addition of $160 million in state dollars.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Issues Safety Alert Around Electric Propulsion Power Systems

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– A series of fires aboard transit and commuter trains sparks NTSB safety alert.

Rail Transit Growth in the U.S. Lags Behind Population Growth

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– The Urban Institute reports that the U.S. population growth is running ahead of proportional rail transit growth.

South Shore Monon Corridor Ready To Go

CHESTERTON, Ind. –– The South Shore Line is a commuter rail line that runs between Millennium Station in downtown Chicago to South Bend Airport Station in South Bend, Ind. This is an historic line on which the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District operates commuter rail service today. This week, South Shore announced that it will begin service on its new Monon Line on March 31.

Ports of Indiana Opens Ireland Trade Office

CORK, Ireland –– Ports of Indiana announced this week that it has opened its first international trade office in Ireland. This was done to grow cargo shipments and support the launch of a direct Europe-Indiana container service. Maritime trade veteran, Brian Dooley, will lead the new European Trade Office, based in Cork and Kildare, Ireland.

Amtrak

Amtrak Celebrates The Restoration of Two South Carolina Stations

CAMDEN, S.C. –– Amtrak announced this week that it has completed a comprehensive series of improvements at both the Camden Station and the Denmark Railway Depot in South Carolina, which are each served twice daily by Amtrak’s Floridian route.

Transportation Safety Board of Canada Releases Report on CPKC 2024 Yard Derailment

CALGARY, Alberta –– The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) this week released it’s report on a 2024 CPKC yard derailment.

International Heavy Haul Association Announces Retirement of CEO Scott Lovelace and Appointment of Antonio Merheb as Successor

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. ––The International Heavy Haul Association (IHHA) today announced the retirement of longtime Chief Executive Officer Scott Lovelace, recognizing his years of dedicated service and leadership to the global heavy haul rail community. The IHHA Board of Directors has unanimously appointed Antonio Merheb as the incoming CEO, effective March 11, 2026.

American Chemistry Council Applauds STB Action On Reciprocal Switching

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– This week, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) released a statement supporting the Surface Transportation Board’s recent proposal to promote reciprocal switching. 

RT&S March 2026 Editor’s Notebook –– Comments About This Issue

ATLANTA –– The current issue of Railway Track & Structures, March 2026, has a couple of articles I’d like to bring to your attention.

New Mexico Department of Transportation Finalizes 2026 State Rail Plan

SANTA FE –– THE NMDOT last week released its State Rail Plan for 2026, reporting $283.1 million in prioritized rail investments over the next four years.

Rail Passenger Service Profitability – Fantasy Land?

ATLANTA –– From the March 2026 issue of Railway Track and Structures.

U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Josh Hawley Introduce Bipartisan Bill Requiring Automated and Manual Track Inspections

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Two U.S. Senators –– one Democrat and one Republican –– came together this week to sponsor a bill that would require the use of both automated and manual rail track inspections.

CN and CPKC Release Locomotives in Paint Schemes Honoring America’s 250th –– Where Are The Other Class Is?

ATLANTA –– This week, Canadian National and CPKC rolled out new locomotives to honor America’s celebration of its upcoming 250th Anniversary.

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