S.D. will guide its way through big future funds for railroad infrastructure
South Dakota’s four-year railroad plan will come with its own guide.
Class 1
Taking back the tracks: Community begins clean up on UP right-of-way in L.A.
The scene has gone viral. Train robberies in the 21st Century? Garbage filling the railroad right-of-way? Over the weekend the trash started to be apprehended.
NTSB continues to press worker safety message
The National Transportation Safety Board has communicated significant concern about railroad worker safety.
Supreme Court blocks Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccination and testing mandate
While this is not a typical RT&S story, we want to ensure that our readers are aware of the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to block the Biden administration’s mandate that large employers (i.e., those employing more than 100 people) must require their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
UP leader Fritz on labor market: ‘It’s tighter than I’d like it to be’
There is a labor shortage crisis in the U.S., and in at least two sectors of the rail industry—short line and crossties—the search for workers has become frustrating. The nationwide problem also has seeped into Class 1 operations.
Ind. mayor says CSX is not responding, but Class 1 is ready to make crossing repairs
The mayor of Michigan City, Ind., is not going to leave CSX alone anytime soon.
Reciprocal switching returns to Surface Transportation Board (STB) agenda
While this is not a topic RT&S would normally cover, the debate over reciprocal or “competitive” switching has been brewing for years, and all members of the rail and rail supply & maintenance industries should be aware of it.
Just for fun: the restoration of Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 #1309
Much of the recent steam locomotive restoration news focuses on Union Pacific’s 4-8-8-4 “Big Boy” #4014, which has been operating periodically for the past couple of years.
Digital transformation and rail – news and commentary
The railroad industry is becoming more digital each day.
Michigan DOT announces rail-highway grade crossing surface repair award recipients for 2022
As part of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) commitment to improving safety and the quality of Michigan’s transportation system, MDOT has announced the recipients for the sixth annual Local Grade Crossing Surface Program.
FRA deputy chief visits Los Angeles and Long Beach ports
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Deputy Administrator Amit Bose visited the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on December 8, 2021 to discuss recent progress in tackling supply chain issues through collaborative efforts among the Ports, FRA, and rail carriers.
Developing story: SEPTA trolley collides with CSX freight train
A SEPTA trolley and CSX freight train collided outside of Philadelphia this morning.
Illinois officials vow to hold BNSF responsible for flooding
Cicero and Cook County, Ill., officials want BNSF to be held accountable for flooding problems for residents as a result of concrete resurfacing of the Class 1’s properties.
Georgia Ports Authority announces expedited TEU capacity increase
At the Georgia Ports Authority Board meeting Monday, Executive Director Griff Lynch detailed actions that will expedite the completion of 1.6 million twenty-foot equivalent container units in annual capacity.
Critical CN line officially re-opened, but damage might already be done to grain market
A vital Canadian National line in southern British Columbia is officially back on the grid.
For Norfolk Southern, changes at the top
Norfolk Southern (NS) on Dec. 2 reported that Chairman and CEO Jim Squires will retire in May 2022; he will be succeeded by Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Alan H. Shaw, a 27-year NS veteran.
Bossier City reconsiders action on grade crossing; Union Pacific ‘looks forward’ to continuing work
By a 5-2 vote, the Bossier (La.) City Council voted to permanently close Old Shed railroad crossing over Union Pacific tracks.
Canadian Pacific and Canadian National each donate $100,000 to Canadian Red Cross flooding relief efforts
Both Canadian Class 1 railroads suffered significant infrastructure damage from recent floods in the British Columbia region.
Disastrous flooding cuts Vancouver off from rail, road service
Food and toilet paper have been stripped from grocery store shelves across British Columbia as panic buying follows the realization Wednesday, Nov. 17 that the previous day’s Biblical flooding means road and rail connections with Vancouver and southwestern British Columbia could be disrupted for months.
Union Pacific to city: Leave the crossing open and pay the price
Bossier City, La., is not the boss when dealing with railroad property, and Union Pacific let the city council know that earlier this week.