MBTA ridership down 90+ percent
It’s a sad tale that is spreading around the world to just about all modes of public transportation – ridership plunging due to COVID-19. Most of the world’s airlines are on the
Author: David C. Lester
Amtrak service changes due to COVID-19 a bit grim
Most readers are very aware of the massive impact that the coronavirus has had on passenger rail operations, both transit and Amtrak. Amtrak released information about its service plan on Friday, April
Choppy financials facing railroads for the next two quarters
It’s rail earnings reporting time again, with most Class 1s teed up to report first-quarter 2020 earnings within the next few weeks. While first quarter earnings are likely to reflect the impact
WABTEC and TRONIX3D partner to provide PPE for local health system
Wabtec Corporation and Tronix3D are partnering to provide much needed personal protective equipment (PPE) for Excela Health, a leading health system provider of advanced medical care in Pennsylvania. The partnership is leveraging
U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announces $1 billion for Amtrak in response to COVID-19
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao today announced that the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is making over $1 billion available to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)
California high-speed rail continues to progress, despite COVID-19
While a significant portion of the U.S. workforce is able to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, many are not. Front-line healthcare workers, some restaurant employees, and many who provide “essential
NTSB concludes subgrade fill failure caused CSX derailment in 2018
A southbound CSX freight train derailed in Alexandria, Va. on May 19, 2018. The derailment caused significant damage to a bridge overpass, which collapsed at the approaching abutment wall. The bridge, along
Association of American Railroads traffic report for the week ending April 4, 2020
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending April 4, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 429,095 carloads and intermodal units,
FRA and FTA under pressure from lawmakers to issue COVID-19 protocols
A rare display of bipartisanship occurred in Congress recently as seven Democrats and seven Republicans signed a letter to Ron Batory, Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration and K. Jane Williams, Acting
Canadian National moves record amount of grain in March
The Canadian Press and the Times Colonist are reporting that Canadian National moved a record amount of grain during March 2020. A key driver of the increase was the clearing of a
ZTR and BlackBerry team up to offer railcar monitoring
ZTR, a market leader in delivering innovative locomotive modernization solutions, and BlackBerry Limited , a trusted security software company, are combining their proven technology expertise to offer railcar owners, operators and suppliers
Canadian Pacific honoring coronavirus front-line workers daily
Most are aware of the heroic and dedicated work performed around the clock by health care workers and first responders in the daily battle against the coronavirus, which has had its grip
New speed restrictions for trains hauling hazardous materials in Canada
After the derailment of of several trains hauling hazardous materials, namely crude oil, Canadian Minister of Transport Marc Garneau has issued new orders around the speed of these trains, which are now
Washington State passes law requiring at least two crew persons on freight trains
A bill requiring at least two crew persons on most freight trains operating within Washington State was recently signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee (D). The effective date of the bill
Norfolk Southern says coronavirus poses financial risks
Norfolk Southern yesterday added its voice to the chorus of Class 1 railroads that have reported to the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) that the coronavirus pandemic could have a significant impact
Association of American Railroads traffic report for March and the week ending March 28, 2020
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) yesterday reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 28, 2020, as well as volumes for March 2020. U.S. railroads originated 899,673 carloads in March
Oil glut creating storage problems
The glut of oil caused by plummeting prices is beginning to outpace capacity for storage. According to a report by Yahoo! Finance, IHS Markit, a Canadian firm, projects that storage space will
Coronavirus could impact financial returns according to Union Pacific, CSX
Significant financial impacts could result from the coronavirus pandemic, according to Union Pacific and CSX, FreightWaves reports. The statements by CSX and Union Pacific were included in reports filed with the Securities
Man shot, killed on SEPTA train according to Philadelphia police
According to CBSN Philly, a man was shot and killed aboard a SEPTA train early Monday morning. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said “When police from SEPTA found the victim on
MacAllister Railroad Machinery named distributor of Gradall Machines
Gradall Industries, Inc., has named MacAllister Railroad Machinery as an authorized distributor for Gradall TrackStar Railway Maintenance Machines as well as factory-authorized parts and service.