Bells & Whistles—2/28/20
Railroad companies might have to deal with another wet spring. Atlanta board passes plan that includes $11 billion for rail transit. Judge removes himself from Purple Line case. Amtrak decides to repair
Freight
BNSF announces 2019 economic development results
BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) this week reported investments from customers served by the freight rail provider in 2019 totaled approximately $1.2 billion. Large investments from customers including Ag Processing Inc., SeaCa Packaging
FRA Publishes Q4 2019 PTC Implementation Status Updates
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today released a quarterly status update on railroads’ self-reported progress, as of December 31, 2019, toward fully implementing positive train control (PTC) systems
CSX train carrying crude oil derails in East Chicago, Ind.
In East Chicago, Ind., a CSX train carrying crude oil has derailed and hazmat crews are on the scene checking for leaks.
CSX work at rail crossings jams up Tampa traffic
CSX may not be sticking to its own schedules in the city of Tampa. The Class 1 railroad company has been doing rail maintenance this week, and roads where the activity has
Association of American Railroads traffic report for week ending February 22, 2020
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending February 22, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 482,690 carloads and intermodal units,
BNSF reports Q4 2019 and overall 2019 financial results
FreightWaves is reporting that BNSF has released financial results for Q4 2019 and overall 2019. As has been the case with other Class Ones this year, BNSF reports that profits were up
Could Canada’s prime minister be on the verge of making the life of Canadian National easier during rail protests?
Many Canadians are blaming Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the way he has handled the blockades on rails, which have been carried out by protestors of the Coastal GasLink pipeline. Trudeau
Michigan passenger trains to the northern part of the state now on the horizon
When the people of Michigan were asked where they would like to travel by rail, their answers hit close to home. Well, relatively close. Many wanted to take the train to the
U.S. rail employment continues to nosedive
FreightWaves is reporting that railroad employment in the United States, which has been falling continuously during the past year, continues to nosedive. January 2020 saw a 12.4 percent decrease in employment compared
U.S. Rails monitoring Canadian crude
The derailment of two separate oil trains roughly two months apart near Guernsey, Sask., each spilling more than 300,000 gallons of crude onto the ground and one igniting into a smoldering inferno,
Spring could be wet for much of the U.S.
According to the National Weather Service, much of the country will experience above-average rainfall over the next three months (March, April and May).
Bells & Whistles—2/21/20
Blockades continue to be a problem for many on Canadian rail. Canadian National train derails in Ontario, Canada. Group wants STB to help with Union Pacific deal. Canada to lift speed restrictions
Blockades creating a mess for CN, shippers, and other carriers
FreightWaves is reporting that the blockades of much of Canadian National lines by those protesting a gas pipeline’s path through British Columbia’s Wet’suwet’en territory is creating problems not only for CN, but
Canadian National train derails, leaks crude oil
The Globe and Mail is reporting the derailment of 30 cars in a Canadian National train on Tuesday evening resulted in crude oil leakage from more than one car. The derailment occurred near
Association of American Railroads weekly traffic report for week ending Feb. 15, 2020
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending February 15, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 479,137 carloads and intermodal units,
Purchase of Burnham Yard will give Colo. regional rail space to move … and add
Colorado’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) is giving up something to add something. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Union Pacific have produced a preliminary agreement on the sale of Burnham Yard.
Group wants Surface Transportation Board to encourage sale of Tennessee Pass rail line
If you can’t get what you want, ask the Surface Transportation Board to intervene.
Norfolk Southern to close Roanoke Locomotive Shop
Earlier today, RT&S reported on a news release from Norfolk Southern announcing the closing of the Roanoke Distribution Center and the movement of all locomotive repair work to the Juniata Locomotive Shop
BNSF goes silent on Metro Blue Line extension plans
Some are wondering if another person needs to die before the Metro Blue Line extension in Minneapolis area is complete. According to Robbinsdale Council Member George Selman, nine people have passed on