Rail traffic continues to slide
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 18, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 481,597 carloads and intermodal units,
Freight
CN’s quarterly results demonstrate railroad’s resiliency during unprecedented economic times
Company Contributing to Economic Recovery Through Reaffirmed and New Investments Canadian National today reported its financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020. “By being adaptable, we were able
June brings lowest Class 1 employment levels since 2012 – will they get worse?
It should come as no surprise that Class 1 rail employment posted another drop in June. The double whammy of the pre-pandemic recession and COVID-19 lockdowns has stifled economic activity, and the
Norfolk Southern train derails in Alabama, spilling vegetable oil
Officials are still trying to figure out how a Norfolk Southern train derailed outside of Tuscaloosa, Ala., late Saturday afternoon. A total of 17 rail cars derailed, with one spilling vegetable oil
It’s earnings report season, and Kansas City Southern kicks it off
Kansas City Southern reported today that Q2 2020 revenues were $547.9 million, representing a 23% drop in revenues compared to Q2 2019. In addition, carload volumes were down 21% compared to the
Crane collapses on Southwest light-rail project in Minneapolis
A partial crane collapse stopped Twin Cities & Western Railroad freight traffic on July 15 in Minneapolis, Minn. No injuries were reported and no word yet on whether freight traffic has been
Another dreary week for U.S. rail traffic
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 11, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 449,092 carloads and intermodal units,
Missing link to a statewide train network in Washington would be costly
If Washington State wants a statewide train network, the cost will be high and the ridership could be low if officials want to revive an east-west link. A new study was completed
Canadian National breaks multiple grain records
Canadian National announced [Tuesday] that it has achieved another monthly record in June moving 2.7 million metric tonnes (MMT) of Canadian grain. In the first half of 2020 through June 30, CN
REMSA webinar on navigating a post-COVID world
The Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association will hold a webinar on July 21, 2000 entitled “Navigating All Things Talent Acquisition In A Post-COVID World.” For more information, and to register, please visit the
Intermodal makes a move, but rail traffic still down for the year
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 4, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 437,989 carloads and intermodal units,
Canadian Pacific announces best-ever quarter and June for transporting Canadian grain
Canadian Pacific announced [yesterday] its best-ever quarter and June for moving Canadian grain and grain products. The two records are the latest in a standout crop year of linking Canadian producers to
Federal Railroad Administration announces more than $500,000 to deter trespassing
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) awarded more than half a million dollars in Railroad Trespassing Enforcement Grants to law enforcement agencies today to support life-saving trespass abatement in
Watco to acquire rail assets from Dow
Dow Inc. has selected Watco Companies to acquire the rail infrastructure assets and related equipment at six major North American sites. Watco, a transportation service company, will provide select rail services at
ASLRRA comments on House passage of the Moving Forward Act (H.R. 2)
In response to [yesterday’s] House passage of H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), which represents the nation’s 600 small business freight railroads and
Encouraging trends, but will they continue?
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending June 27, 2020, as well as volumes for June 2020. U.S. railroads originated 794,256 carloads in June
AAR does not like ‘backward-looking rail title’ of INVEST Act
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) is not putting much stock into the House of Representative’s five-year, $494 billion Investing in a New Vision for the Environmental and Surface Transportation in America
Wabtec delivers the first Operail locomotives
While RT&S doesn’t typically cover locomotives because they are not “below the rail,” we occasionally report on topics and news from key suppliers in the industry. Wabtec spokesperson Tim Bader announced that
End of pandemic could mean deal for Ohio county with CSX
Call me when the pandemic is over. That is the message CSX sent to New Philadelphia, Ohio, which wants to purchase the Class 1’s line in Tuscarawas County. Rusty Orben, CSX’s resident
New infrastructure bill addresses rail-highway grade crossings
The INVEST in America Act includes some new initiatives to address a series of rail-highway grade crossing problems. The bill calls for an updated U.S. DOT national highway-rail crossing inventory, collecting data