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,

UPDATED MAY 18: Rail Group Staff Report—Global railway industry recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic

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

Train derails in residential area and it will take days to clear scene

A train on the Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad line derailed in East Aurora, N.Y., late at night on April 18, and residents in 41 homes had to be evacuated as police and

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

BNSF announces furloughs and shop closures impacting 243 employees

BNSF this week announced the furlough of 28 workers in the Topeka, Kan. mechanical department, and the closure of maintenance facilities in Glendive, Montana and Donkey Creek and Guernsey, Wyoming. The closure

Canadian National sets new grain movement records

Canadian National announced this week that it moved a record amount of grain in April 2020. Here is the company’s press release about this record. “Canadian National announced that, after having its

Rail Group Staff Report: Global railway industry recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic

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

Rail traffic drops to lowest level since 1989

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending May 2, 2020, as well as volumes for April 2020. U.S. railroads originated 980,535 carloads in April

Look: Crews still cleaning site of Union Pacific derailment

The hope is Rte. 62 in Dunklin County, Mo., will be open sometime on May 5 after a Union Pacific train derailed. No injuries have been reported and Union Pacific is trying

Canadian Pacific hauls a record amount of grain in April 2020, the most grain movement in a month in company’s 139-year history

​Canadian Pacific is proud to report another record-setting month in the movement of Canadian grain and grain products. In April, CP moved a best-ever monthly total of 2.8 million metric tonnes (MMT)

CP donates $1 million to four North American charities providing critical supplies and relief in the COVID-19 battle

Canadian Pacific is donating $1 million to four North American charities working on the front lines to help people impacted by COVID-19. In Canada, CP will donate C$350,000 to The Frontline Fund

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