NITL Weighs in on Rail Mergers
DUNKIRK, Md. –– The National Industrial Transportation League (NITL) is one member of the chorus opposing the proposed UP+NS merger.
Author: Marybeth Luczak
FTA Issues ‘Transit Worker Fatigue’ Safety Bulletin
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has published Safety Bulletin 26-01: Transit Worker Fatigue, with recommendations to transit agencies on how they can improve safety for workers and the public.
Rail Shippers Raise Concerns About Middle East Conflict (UPDATED 4/15)
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) and the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) have filed separate letters with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) that respectively request all six Class I CEOs
FTA Launches Safety Investigation of IDOT
WASHINGTON, D.C. ––The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is initiating a Safety Management Inspection (SMI) of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) State Safety Oversight (SSO) program for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) rail transit system. The aim, it reported March 17, is “to identify the root causes of longstanding deficiencies in IDOT’s safety oversight,”
RailPros Acquires Diverging Approach
DALLAS – Rail and transit consulting firm RailPros has completed its acquisition of Diverging Approach, Inc., a railway system contractor based in Williamsburg, Va.
ORDC Awards Two Rail Rehab Grants
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) on Jan. 27 reported approving rail infrastructure project grants for Watco subsidiary Ann Arbor Railroad and AluChem of Jackson Inc., as well as funding for Ohio Operation Lifesaver.
NTSB Determines Probable Cause for BNSF M/w Employee Fatality
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released the final report for its investigation of the Nov. 4, 2024, accident involving a BNSF maintenance-of-way (m/w) employee who was fatally struck by a BNSF freight train while driving a welding truck across a highway/rail grade crossing near New Rockford, N.Dak.
HTP Work Stoppage on the Way?
NEWARK, N.J. – Construction on the Hudson Tunnel Project (HTP), a key component of the Gateway Program, will “pause if disbursements of federal funds do not resume in the coming days,” the Gateway Development Commission (GDC) reported
Wright to Lead INRD
INDIANAPOLIS –– The Indiana Rail Road Company (INRD) Board has elevated Derrick Wright to President and CEO, effective Jan. 16. He has served since November 2022 as Vice President, Operations and Mechanical for the 500-mile railroad,
American Freedom Train Restoration? Well, Sort Of (Including Commentary from David C. Lester)
BALTIMORE ––The B&O Railroad Museum on Jan. 12 unveiled the restored American Freedom Train No. 1 (AFT No. 1) in honor of the 250th anniversary of America.
Kentucky Invests in Rail Safety, Industrial Development Projects
FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has awarded nearly $3 million to railroads and local government to finance a total of nine highway/rail grade crossing and industrial development projects.
Arclin Acquiring WVCO
ALPHARETTA, Ga.- Arclin has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Eugene, Ore.-based Willamette Valley Company (WVCO), which manufactures and distributes custom products and services for the railroad (WVCO Railroad Solutions), transportation, wood and consumer products,
WIR Conference 2025: Connecting, Inspiring, Innovating
Railway Age and Railway Track & Structures on Oct. 15-16 hosted the third-annual in-person Women in Rail Conference with a packed lineup of influential women and their allies, who shared experiences, celebrated achievements, and discussed the future
POLB: Cargo Volumes ‘Steady’ Through October
LONG BEACH, Calif. –– In light of the uncertainties brought about by tariffs, the Port of Long Beach says “shifting trade policies have brought uncertainty to consumers and the supply chain, but cargo continues to move smoothly.”
Eric Gebhardt Headlines Third Annual TTC Conference & Tour
Nearly 300 professionals from freight and passenger railroads, industry suppliers and consultants, universities, and research organizations gathered in Pueblo, Colo., earlier this month for the Third Annual TTC Conference & Tour, reported host
Reports: Feds to Pause $18B in NYC Infrastructure Project Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– The POTUS 47 administration will “withhold” approximately $18 billion in funding previously awarded for at least two rail-related infrastructure projects in the New York City area, according to reports in The New York Times and CNBC on Oct. 1.
Port of Longview Lands $35.9MM Federal Loan for Rail Expansion
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau is loaning up to $35.9 million for Phase 1 of the Port of Longview’s Industrial Rail Corridor Expansion project in Washington state that is slated to double freight
Jacobs to Design Light Rail Extension in West Seattle
SEATTLE, Wash.—Jacobs on July 17 reported being selected to provide design services for Sound Transit’s West Seattle Link Extension project, which will add 4.1 miles of light rail from Seattle’s SODO neighborhood to West Seattle’s
Report: UP/NS Merger Afoot?
OMAHA and ATLANTA ––Union Pacific (UP) is in early-stage discussions to acquire Norfolk Southern (NS), “according to people familiar with the matter,” The Wall Street Journal reported July 17. “[T]here are no
Next-Level Safety and Efficiency
RAILWAY AGE, JULY 2025 ISSUE: Automated train inspection portals are turning “finders into fixers,” reducing risk exposure, mechanical-caused safety incidents and network disruptions.