Railway Age

05/10/2019

Amtrak: Freedom From Responsibility is Illusory - Railway Age

It's Amtrak vs. Norfolk Southern in a "Twittersphere disparagement" for the ages. https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/amtrak-freedom-from-responsibility-is-illusory/

THE FINANCIAL EDGE, MAY 2019 – In a recent TED talk, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey suggested that, in an attempt to combat abusive speech and harassment, Twitter would consider moving from threads written by individuals to topic threads. Dorsey suggested these interest networks would be easier to monito...

05/10/2019

Join Michael Sussman, President, Strategic Rail Finance, at #RailInsights19 on June 5 & 6 in Chicago. View the whole agenda at railwayage.com/insights

05/09/2019

Join Patrick Ottensmeyer, President and CEO, #KansasCitySouthern at #RailInsights19 on June 5 & 6 in Chicago. View the whole agenda at railwayage.com/insights

05/09/2019

Requiem For a Heavyweight - Railway Age

From the editor: https://www.railwayage.com/freight/class-i/requiem-for-a-heavyweight/

FROM THE EDITOR, MAY 2019 - By the time you read this, the largest steam locomotive ever built will have thundered her way from Union Pacific’s Steam Shop in Cheyenne, Wyo., to Ogden, Utah, to take part in ceremonies marking the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike, which completed the nation’s...

05/08/2019

AAR: Rail traffic showing signs of life - Railway Age

AAR with some good news on rail traffic! https://www.railwayage.com/freight/class-i/aar-rail-traffic-showing-signs-of-life/

In another possible sign that rail traffic is on the rise, total carloads and North American rail volume were slightly up, some international intermodal volume saw rises and four of the 10 carload commodity groups notched year-over-year increases, according to figures released by the Association of....

05/08/2019

Union Pacific: Golden at 150 - Railway Age

Our May '19 cover story: https://www.railwayage.com/freight/class-i/union-pacific-golden-at-150/

COVER STORY, MAY 2019 - Railway Age antecedent American Railway Times, May 15, 1869: “On May 10, the last rail connecting the tracks of the Union and the Central Pacific Railroads was spiked in place, thus giving a continuous railway line across the continent. The blows of the hammer driving home ...

05/07/2019

Ron Lindsey of Strategic Railroading LLC joins #RailInsights19 to discuss: Technology Is Expanding, but Where Are the Technologists? For more info, visit: www.railwayage.com/insights

05/07/2019

Railroad Day on Capitol Hill tomorrow - Railway Age

Just a friendly reminder: https://www.railwayage.com/regulatory/railroad-day-on-capitol-hill-tomorrow/

Tomorrow, Wednesday, May 8, railroad industry professionals from across the country will gather to participate in Railroad Day on Capitol Hill. More than 430 representatives from industry, labor, Class I’s, short lines, shippers and manufacturers who support the rail industry will visit with 350 C...

05/07/2019

Shipper Frustration Turns Contemptuous - Railway Age

From the May issue: https://www.railwayage.com/regulatory/shipper-frustration-turns-contemptuous/

WATCHING WASHINGTON, MAY 2019 - Oh, the contempt that drippeth from a judicial petition of the Western Coal Traffic League (WCTL), whose members ship and receive by rail some 175 million tons of coal annually. It accuses the Surface Transportation Board (STB) of impersonating a regulatory agency by....

05/06/2019

Pandrol Platinum at IHHA - Railway Age

Pandrol is set to serve as the Platinum Sponsor of the IHHA STS Conference. https://www.railwayage.com/news/pandrol-platinum-at-ihha/

Pandrol recently announced that it is the Platinum Sponsor of the International Heavy Haul Association (IHHA) STS Conference, which takes place on June 10-14 in Narvik, Norway.

05/03/2019

CP: “Strong momentum” on heels of record-setting April - Railway Age

A “strong network performance” in a record-setting April for CP. https://www.railwayage.com/freight/class-i/cp-strong-momentum-on-heels-of-record-setting-april/

Canadian Pacific (CP) revealed that, on top of a “strong network performance,” it had a record-setting April, as the Calgary, AB-based railroad delivered a best-ever 2.643 million metric tonnes (MMT) of Canadian grain and grain products.

05/03/2019

PSNY track work to affect NJT, LIRR - Railway Age

LIRR and NJT riders, listen up: https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/commuterregional/psny-track-work-to-affect-njt-lirr/

Track work at Penn Station New York (PSNY) this summer will have effects on two public transportation lines—NJ Transit (NJT) and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).

05/03/2019

Swartley promoted to STV VP - Railway Age

There's a new STV VP in town. https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/commuterregional/swartley-promoted-to-stv-vp/

STV, Inc. recently announced that it has promoted Brandon Swartley, P.E., to Vice President.

05/02/2019

TTC ticked by Flexity issues - Railway Age

The TTC has been experiencing reliability issues with its fleet of new Flexity Outlook LRVs. https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/light-rail/ttc-ticked-by-flexity-issues/

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has been experiencing significant in-service reliability issues with its fleet of new Bombardier-built Flexity Outlook LRVs.

05/02/2019

WSP to become carbon neutral - Railway Age

"We recognize that taking a leadership role in addressing climate change is a must," said Gregory A. Kelly, President, CEO, WSP USA. https://www.railwayage.com/freight/wsp-to-become-carbon-neutral/

Engineering and professional services firm WSP USA recently announced its plan to become carbon neutral throughout its U.S. operations—which includes all offices and employee business travel—in 2019.

04/30/2019

G&W absorbs 1Q2019 losses - Railway Age

Genesee & Wyoming had a rough first quarter, but is sticking to its 2019 guidance. https://www.railwayage.com/freight/class-i/gw-absorbs-1q2019-losses/

Genesee & Wyoming (G&W) recently reported its 2019 first-quarter results, which show year-over-year declines in operating revenues, operating income and diluted EPS.

04/30/2019

CN: “Very solid results” for 1Q2019 - Railway Age

CN posted a very solid first quarter and is GROWING THE TOP LINE! Carload volumes are a first-quarter record. https://www.railwayage.com/freight/class-i/cn-very-solid-results-for-1q2019/

In reporting its financial and operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019, CN said it had “very solid results,” including record first-quarter carload volumes, the addition of C$350 million of top-line growth and improved year-over-year car velocity.

04/30/2019

Union Pacific re-thinks Brazos Yard timing - Railway Age

Union Pacific isn’t hurrying to finish Brazos Yard. COO Jim Vena is definitely in charge here. https://www.railwayage.com/freight/union-pacific-re-thinks-brazos-yard-timing/

Union Pacific contractors were moving lots of dirt when this reporter visited the Brazos Yard site in Texas in November 2018. The location was to be the new crown of UP’s capabilities to improve and increase volume and service to the expanding customer base in the Houston and Gulf Coast chemical a...

04/26/2019

PTSI debuts fare compendium - Railway Age

All's "fare" in PTSI and commuting. https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/commuterregional/ptsi-debuts-fare-compendium/

PTSI Transportation recently released a compendium of Commuter Rail Fares (CRF), a first-of-its-kind subscription service that provides the current fare structure—including fare levels, types of basic fares and promotional fares—of all commuter rail service in the United Stats and Canada.

04/26/2019

www.railwayage.com

CCX is starting to come to fruition. https://www.railwayage.com/freight/class-i/carolina-connector-groundbreaking-ceremony-held/

04/24/2019

NS: A multiple-record first quarter - Railway Age

How many records can be set in a single financial quarter? Ask Norfolk Southern. https://www.railwayage.com/cs/ns-a-multiple-record-first-quarter/

Norfolk Southern (NS) continued its upward trend and posted record railway operating revenues, operating income, operating ratio, net income and earnings per share in first-quarter 2019.

04/24/2019

CP 1Q2019: “Strong momentum” - Railway Age

How does one define tenacity and resiliency? Take a look at Canadian Pacific, who despite battling a very rough winter and dealing with a tragic derailment, managed to post a solid first quarter. https://www.railwayage.com/freight/class-i/cp-1q2019-strong-momentum/

Canadian Pacific, coming off a tough winter, posted first-quarter 2019 increases in revenues and earnings per share, accompanied by a 1.8% operating ratio increase.

04/22/2019

Part 2 of 6: Politicians Wrangle as Costs Climb - Railway Age

Here is Part 2 of an exclusive six-part, in-depth analysis of the Gateway Project by Contributing Editor David Peter Alan. https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/part-2-of-6-politicians-wrangle-as-costs-climb/

The original Access to the Region’s Core (ARC) Project started with a semblance of consensus but ended its 15-year life in controversy. Its replacement, Gateway, was proposed in February 2011, and has been surrounded by controversy for the entire eight years of its life, so far. The politicians an...

04/18/2019

Greenbrier acquiring ARI - Railway Age

Full circle: Carl Icahn buys ARI. Icahn tries to buy GBRX and fails. Icahn sells ARI to hedge fund ITE. ITE now selling ARI to GBRX. More consolidation in the freight car market! https://www.railwayage.com/financeleasing/greenbrier-acquiring-ari/

In a transaction valued at $400 million, the Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (GBRX) has entered into an agreement to acquire the manufacturing business of American Railcar Industries (ARI) from ITE Management LP (ITE), the hedge fund that bought ARI from investor Carl Icahn in December 2018. GBX said the...

04/16/2019

LIRC, RCPE accept Railway Age awards - Railway Age

Congratulations once again to our Short Line & Regional Railroads of the Year, the Louisville & Indiana Railroad (LIRC) and the Rapid City Pierre & Eastern! https://www.railwayage.com/freight/short-lines-regionals/lirc-rcpe-accept-railway-age-awards/

The Louisville & Indiana Railroad (LIRC) and the Rapid City Pierre & Eastern accepted Railway Age’s annual Short Line & Regional Railroads of the Year Awards at the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) CONNECTIONS Convention in Orlando, Fla., on April 9.

04/13/2019

NRC ousts CCH - Railway Age

The only thing constant is change. After 15 years, the NRC is severing its relationship with Chambers, Conlon & Hartwell. https://www.railwayage.com/mw/breaking-news-nrc-ousts-cch/

The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) is severing ties with Chambers, Conlon & Hartwell LLC (CCH), the Washington, D.C. lobbying firm that has been managing NRC’s operations for the past 15 years.

04/11/2019

Improving railroad cyber-threat resilience - Railway Age

A very useful and informative treatise on how railroads can deal with cyber-security threats. https://www.railwayage.com/safety/improving-railroad-cyber-threat-resilience/

Railroads are a critical component of America’s transportation infrastructure, and have been making significant investments in advanced networked computer control systems and information technologies. This has enabled the employment of new capabilities such as “Positive Train Control and “Prec...

04/09/2019

Ironhorse Resources acquires two short lines - Railway Age

Ironhorse Resources, Inc. acquired the Sequatchie Valley Railroad (SQVR) and the Walking Horse and Eastern Railroad (WHOE). They have been renamed Sequatchie Valley Switching Company (SQSC) and the Walking Horse Railroad (WHRR). https://www.railwayage.com/freight/switching-terminal/ironhorse-resources-acquires-two-short-lines/

Ironhorse Resources, Inc. on April 9 acquired two Tennessee-based Class III carriers: the Sequatchie Valley Railroad (SQVR) and the Walking Horse and Eastern Railroad (WHOE). They have been renamed Sequatchie Valley Switching Company (SQSC) and the Walking Horse Railroad (WHRR).

04/09/2019

Congratulations to ASLRRA honorees Peter Gilbertson, Cleo Johnson Jr. and David Nagy! https://www.railwayage.com/freight/short-lines-regionals/aslrra-honors-gilbertson-safety-leaders/

04/08/2019

Sen. Fritz Hollings’ role in rail merger policy - Railway Age

Few can tell a story about Capitol Hill intrigue involving railroads better than Contributing Editor Frank N. Wilner. Here’s what the obituaries didn’t mention about former Sen. Fritz Hollings, who died April 6 at 97. https://www.railwayage.com/regulatory/sen-fritz-hollings-role-in-rail-merger-policy/

Somewhat buried in history is that today’s railroad map is a product of behind-the-scenes actions by former Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ernest Frederick (Fritz) Hollings (D-S.C.), who died April 6 at age 97. He was Commerce Committee Chairman 1987-1995 and 2001-2003, during years Democrats ...

04/08/2019

PART 1 OF 6: An ARC With No Covenant - Railway Age

We think you’ll enjoy this exclusive six-part, in-depth analysis of the Gateway Project by Contributing Editor David Peter Alan. We begin with a bit of history. https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/part-1-of-6-an-arc-with-no-covenant/

Anyone connected with the series of passenger rail projects in the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan Area known collectively as Gateway will claim that their eventual completion is inevitable, much like former California Gov. Jerry Brown claimed that completion of the virtually defunct California Hig...

04/05/2019

Greenbrier “underwhelming” earnings temporary: Furman - Railway Age

The company said its “underwhelming” earnings were expected and should be confined to the quarter. https://www.railwayage.com/news/greenbrier-underwhelming-earnings-temporary-furman/

The Greenbrier Companies, in reporting financial results for its second fiscal quarter ended Feb. 28, said earnings it characterized as “underwhelming” due to certain one-time charges were expected and should be confined to the quarter.

04/05/2019

Fighting Trump’s border-slowdown threat - Railway Age

Strength in numbers: No fewer than 18 North American trade associations representing railroads, truckers and their customers that ship between the United States and Mexico have joined forces to communicate the folly of Trump’s border closure threat. https://www.railwayage.com/freight/fighting-trumps-border-slowdown-threat/

Eighteen North American trade associations representing railroads, truckers and their customers that ship between the United States and Mexico have joined forces to tell the Trump Administration and Congress that restricting cross-border trade by either complete shutdown or slowdown, as President Tr...

04/04/2019

A new voice for commuter rail - Railway Age

Commuter rail now has a stronger, single-purpose voice on Capitol Hill: The newly formed Commuter Rail Coalition. Check out the all-star cast! https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/commuterregional/a-new-voice-for-commuter-rail/

“Commuter rail,” says Metra CEO and Executive Director Jim Derwinski, “needs a distinct voice.” Derwinski and a group of current and former passenger rail industry executives led by former New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority Director of Regulatory Affairs, Corporate Standards and ...

04/03/2019

Rail freight traffic: What’s going on here? - Railway Age

Take a ride on our rail freight traffic roller-coaster. It's not all downhill screaming. And shut down the U.S. Mexico border? Really? https://www.railwayage.com/freight/class-i/rail-freight-traffic-whats-going-on-here/

We traditionally have reported the Association of American Railroads weekly compilation of freight traffic statistics as “straight news,” with commentary restricted to what the AAR may include in the release, which is rare. In this case, there’s a lot going on here, enough to warrant some anal...

04/03/2019

Cleaner and greener in New Orleans - Railway Age

Locomotive diesel engine suppliers: Get ready for a Tier 4 RFP from the New Orleans Public Belt. https://www.railwayage.com/freight/switching-terminal/cleaner-and-greener-in-new-orleans/

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB) and the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) a National Clean Diesel Funding grant that will cover 40% of the cost of retrofitting one diesel-electric switcher locomotive with a Tier 4-complian...

04/02/2019

RSI joins the “Boxcar Blues” chorus - Railway Age

The Railway Supply Institute Equipment Leasing Committee has joined the chorus singing the “Boxcar Blues.” https://www.railwayage.com/financeleasing/rsi-joins-the-boxcar-blues-chorus/

Railway Age Contributing Editor Jim Blaze is not the only one singing the boxcar blues (“I’m singin’ the boxcar blues” article, March 26). Members of the Railway Supply Institute Equipment Leasing Committee (ELC) have also identified the looming boxcar shortage as a significant issue that ne...