RT&S Special Report: Railroad Cybersecurity – an interview with AAR

During the past several months, RT&S News has reported on concerns about cybersecurity in the industry. These concerns are not new, as they have been the subjects of numerous articles, speeches and

U.S. DOT to distribute cloth facial coverings to America’s transportation workforce

Today, the Trump Administration announced millions of cloth facial coverings will be sent to workers in critical sectors of America’s economy. Approximately 15.5 million will be sent to the Nation’s transportation workforce.

After fatal strike on Ky. bridge parents of victim say more safety measures need to be installed, file suit

The goat man is supposedly an urban legend in Louisville. Apparently, he can be summoned when people step on or cross the Pope Lick trestle. The goat man is related to the

Focused Technology Solutions strikes a deal with Australia distributor

Focused Technology Solutions, a Marmon/Berkshire Hathaway Company, President Peter Bartek announced May 27 that the company has entered into another international market sector by partnering with Freightquip, a distributor located in Australia.

Rail traffic—a faint light at the end of the tunnel? ‘Perhaps,’ says AAR

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending May 23, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 428,715 carloads and intermodal units,

U.S. DOT announces $302.6 million in State of Good Repair grants

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today announced the recipients of more than $302 million in grant funds under the Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Program (Partnership

Railroad employment continues to shrink

Since before the worldwide pandemic hit, rail employment levels had been shrinking for many months. Declining traffic volume, especially reductions in coal movements, were considered the key culprits. Now, add the horrific

Canadian National to offer new intermodal service between Moncton and Halifax

CN announced that, in collaboration with the Halifax Port Authority, stakeholders, ocean carriers and customers, it will offer integrated solutions through its Moncton yard aimed at reducing short-haul trucking in Halifax. “This

Pandemic to blame for Union Pacific layoffs at Bailey Yard

An “unspecified number of workers” are the latest casualties in railroad industry layoffs. These layoffs were in the mechanical department at Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard, located in North Platte, Neb., according to

Total U.S. carloads post “biggest year-over-year weekly decline” since 1988

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending May 16, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 416,115 carloads and intermodal units,

Railroads looking to federal government for pandemic relief

Economists will tell you that when a major industry’s business is suffering, it can be devastating to that industry. North American railroads are suffering. Economists will also tell you that when one

Short Line Safety Institute picks Walsh to lead Hazardous Materials Programs

The Short Line Safety Institute is pleased to announce the hiring of John Walsh in a new position, Director of Hazardous Materials Programs. Walsh’s 30-year career includes experience in public safety, security,

Commuter railroads trail freight railroads in PTC implementation, but some progress made

The U.S. DOT Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released a quarterly status update on railroads’ self-reported progress, as of March 31, 2020, toward fully implementing positive train control (PTC) systems by Dec. 31,

Canadian Pacific to improve brake tests

On February 4, 2019, a Canadian Pacific grain train derailed while rolling through Kicking Horse Pass, which is close to Field, B.C. All three crew members were killed. The tragedy began shortly

Pandemic continues to beat up on rail traffic

This week’s rail traffic report shows that the industry continues to be hammered by the pandemic and the reduced number of shippers generating carloads and intermodal loads due to plant closings and

BNSF lays off 95 mechanical workers in Nebraska

BNSF Railway has reduced its mechanical workforce in Nebraska by 95 people. The employees were located in Alliance, which is losing 83 workers, and Lincoln, where 12 workers were let go. BNSF

Infinity launches Salt Lake City-Chicago intermodal service, shakes up exec team

Infinity Intermodal launched its expedited, temp-controlled intermodal service from Salt Lake City to Chicago (with return service from Chicago to Salt Lake City) in May 2020. The new service is three days

Class 1 fuel surcharges

Union Pacific drops Cold Connect refrigerated train service

Union Pacific announced that it is discontinuing its refrigerated rail car and supply chain service offered under the marketing brand Cold Connect. The service began in 2017 when the railroad purchased three

UPDATED MAY 8—Rail Group Staff Report: Global railway industry recovery from COVID-19

This continually updated staff report from the editors at Railway Age, Railway Track & Structures and International Railway Journal now shifts to the latest developments surrounding recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, which

Cyberattacks may threaten operation of rail freight network

Operating a freight railroad has always been a challenge. While the North American network is generally safe and well-maintained, there are multiple headaches to deal with. Maintaining a sound right-of-way to minimize

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