commentary

March editorial: This STB angle is going too far

For more or for less. Geometry was indeed the less of me. I have always been pretty good with numbers, so math and algebra were not much of a challenge for me

Bells & Whistles Special—Saturday news update

Transit agencies suffer drop in ridership due to coronavirus fears. GoTriangle takes another angle with new commuter line. New transit line in Austin would cost taxpayers big time. Ottawa’s Confederation Line faces

March issue: Unique at-grade rail crossing in NYC provides access to recreation

With 330 acres of public parkland  located between Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx, Randall’s Island Park is one of New York City’s main recreational hubs, drawing more than 3 million visitors annually.

Rail Group Staff Report: Global railway industry response to the COVID-19 pandemic

MARCH 12, 2020: The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19, otherwise known as the coronavirus, a pandemic, and the global railway industry is ramping-up its response. Following is a staff report from

U.S. DOT announces $248.5 million in grants to support railroad infrastructure

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced the recipients of $248.5 million in grant funds under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, for a wide variety of state

Progress Rail

GoTriangle has new approach to a commuter rail line in North Carolina

GoTriangle is circling back on a new commuter rail line that would serve Durham and Johnston counties in North Carolina. GoTriangle tried to move forward with an 18-mile line last year, but

Association of American Railroads traffic report for week ending March 7, 2020

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 7, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 462,303 carloads and intermodal units,

Rail union outlines its “demands” for the coronavirus

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) wants the rail industry to take the right steps regarding the coronavirus, and that means changing the sick leave policy and making sure everything

Association of American Railroads traffic report for week ending February 29, 2020 and volumes for February 2020

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending February 29, 2020, as well as volumes for February 2020.

Trump aims to allow transport of LNG by rail

During the past few months, RT&S has reported on the Trump administration’s plan to lift the ban on the transport of liquefied natural gas by rail. For background information, you can check

Watch video: Rotary snowplow clears 140-year-old railroad track

To help celebrate the 140th anniversary of when the Cumbres & Toltec railroad track opened in Colorado, a rotary snowplow was used for the first time in two decades. The snowplow ripped

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

short line railroad

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

railroad workers

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).

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.

Progress Rail

Historic Tennessee Railroad set to be abandoned for good

For years the Tennessee Railroad track that ran from Oneida in Scott County, Tenn., to Devonia in Anderson County, Tenn., was used to carry coal from mines. Today, the line itself could

FRA releases statistics on-grade crossing accidents

Politico is reporting that there will be a hearing on railroad grade crossing safety in the House today, and representatives from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Norfolk Southern, Operation Lifesaver, and some from

Regional Rail on the verge of acquiring Carolina Coastal Railway Inc.

Regional Rail is set to acquire Carolina Coastal Railway Inc. pending approval from the Surface Transportation Board. Regional Rail is owned by private equity firm 3i and operates short-line railroads and rail-related

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