NTSB issues 6 safety recommendations following investigation of train derailment, hazardous materials release

The National Transportation Safety Board issued Rail Accident Report 20/04 Thursday for its investigation of the Aug. 2, 2017, CSX Transportation, Inc. freight train derailment and release of hazardous materials near Hyndman, Pennsylvania.

Improving the safety and efficiency of railroad operations with automation-assisted technology

Maintaining efficient railroad operations while ensuring overall safety is an essential part of the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) mission. Automation-aided technologies have the potential to save lives and improve safety while improving

rail bridges

BNSF experiences derailment in New Mexico

BNSF experienced a derailment early this morning in Vado, New Mexico. There isn’t a lot of detail available at present, but BNSF released the following statement: “At approximately 5:30 a.m. central 12

While intermodal is the backbone of traffic increases, grain volumes are high, too

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending November 28, 2020, as well as volumes for November 2020. U.S. railroads originated 900,194 carloads in November

Rail traffic: the pattern continues

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending November 21, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 534,607 carloads and intermodal units,

Norfolk Southern derailment near Cincinnati – Updated

Norfolk Southern experienced a derailment near Cincinnati this morning. Shortly afterward, the railroad released the following service alert: “A derailment of manifest train 196-24 occurred west of Cincinnati, OH this morning at

Continuing pattern – carloads down, intermodal up, bringing total carloads up

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending November 14, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 527,462 carloads and intermodal units,

Federal Railroad Administration publishes Q3 2020 PTC status, and NJ Transit responds

Editor’s Note: We have reproduced the FRA’s report, released this morning, regarding the status of PTC implementation on the required railroad mileage in the United States. The report devotes a paragraph to

Updated statement on Norfolk Southern Sunday night Atlanta derailment

Yesterday, we ran a story about a Norfolk Southern derailment in Atlanta on Sunday night. Late yesterday, NS released the following update to their statement: “It has been confirmed that a member

Norfolk Southern suffers derailment in Atlanta

Norfolk Southern experienced a derailment last night on its mainline that heads west from Atlanta, then splits at Austell, Ga., with one line going north to Chattanooga and the other going west

Short Line Safety Institute launches new online hazardous materials training

Today the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) launched its first online program for hazardous materials training with five stand-alone educational videos that provide an overview of key elements of the Hazardous Materials

Repairs continue on Norfolk Southern bridge in Roanoke County

On Nov. 2, RT&S reported on a Norfolk Southern derailment that occurred on October 30 near Salem, Va., spilling coal into the Roanoke River and destroying the rail bridge over the river.

Railroads recognize Veterans Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in Canada – Updated 11.18.20

Update on 11/18/2020 RT&S ran this story one week ago today, which was Veterans Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in Canada. Since then, we’ve learned that the American Short Line

Intermodal strength continues to lift rail traffic totals

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending November 7, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 522,028 carloads and intermodal units,

BNSF Q3 2020 – revenue and operating ratio both down

BNSF recently reported its financial results for Q3 2020. Revenue was down 14.4 percent compared to Q3 2019 (bad) and the operating ratio was down to 59.7 percent compared to 62.6 percent

short line railroad

Massachusetts Coastal Railroad hit by sinkhole

As a percentage of total rail movements, those involving derailments are low. If you’re running a train, there is a very small chance a derailment may occur, but crews don’t expect to

October 2020 best month ever for Canadian Pacific grain movement

​Last week, RT&S reported that Canadian National was on its way to setting an all-time monthly record of grain movement – over 3 million metric tons – for October 2020. This week,

Watco’s Decatur Riverport terminal benefits from Ala. infrastructure funding

Watco’s Decatur (Ala.) Riverport terminal in the Mallard-Fox Creek Industrial Park is among the beneficiaries of a grant awarded to Decatur as part of the Alabama Inland Port Infrastructure Program. This will

No longer atypical

RT&S Editor’s Note: In August of this year, RT&S published a news story about the use of autonomous track inspection technology on the Canadian National Railway. The story has informative text and

AAR’s John Gray: intermodal shows a “stunning increase” in last six months

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending October 31, 2020, as well as volumes for October 2020. U.S. railroads originated 912,772 carloads in October 2020,

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