IT firm CGI to manage new VIA Rail Canada reservation system

VIA Rail Canada logo

MONTREAL — Information technology and business consulting firm CGI will manage a new online reservation system for VIA Rail Canada to be launched in 2023, the companies announced Wednesday. Under a long-term agreement, CGI will manage critical business applications, building on the business relationship that began in 2020 when CGI was selected to build VIA’s […]

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Union Pacific says congestion-related embargoes are a tool of last resort

MANALAPAN, Fla. – Union Pacific, which has come under fire for its increased use of embargoes, has not fully shut down service to any customers as it grapples with congestion related to ongoing train crew shortages. “It really is a tool of last resort for us. As a common carrier, we don’t have other mechanisms […]

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House passes resolutions to block rail strike, add sick days to agreement

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WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives has approved legislation imposing the tentative agreement between railroads and unions, which would block a rail strike that could begin as early as Dec. 9. CNN reports the House passed the measure by a 290-137 vote, with 79 Republicans joining Democrats in voting for the bill, while eight Democrats […]

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British passenger equipment company files for insolvency protection

Silver, yellow, and green multiple-unit trainset in operation

SOUTHAM, England — Vivarail, the British passenger train re-manufacturing company majority-owned by Pittsburgh-based Railroad Development Corp., has announced it is seeking the appointment of insolvency administrators via the British courts while efforts are made to find new investors or owners for the company. The process, similar to Chapter 11 protection in the USA, will allow […]

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House to vote today on legislation to block rail strike (updated)

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WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives will vote today (Wednesday, Nov. 30) on legislation to impose a settlement in the labor dispute between railroads and unions, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday. The House will also consider a separate motion to add seven paid sick days to the tentative agreement reached in September between the […]

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Amtrak fiscal 2022 report lists accomplishments, masks shortcomings: analysis

Red and blue locomotive on passenger train

WASHINGTON — Amtrak’s announcement of its results for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2022, heralds an overall ridership growth of 89% compared with the period from October 2020 to September 2021. The press release and accompanying report was issued Tuesday, just ahead of a public Board of Directors meeting in St. Louis on Dec. […]

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Ed Harris named as new chief operating officer at CN (revised and updated)

Man with glasses and gray hair in white shirt

MONTREAL — Ed Harris, the most traveled Class I railroad operations chief, has come full circle. Harris on Monday was named chief operating officer at Canadian National, a job he held from 2005 to 2007. Harris also served as chief operating officer at Canadian Pacific from 2010 to 2011, at CSX Transportation from 2018 to […]

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Union: Biden decision ‘does not address rail industry disease’

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NOVI, Mich. — One of the four unions to vote down a tentative agreement with railroads is decrying President Joe Biden’s decision calling on Congress to impose that agreement and prevent a rail strike, continuing its call for paid sick leave while saying the move will not address rail service issues. Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Bernie […]

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FRA grants safety waiver, aiding effort to open LIRR terminal under Grand Central

NEW YORK — The Federal Railroad Administration will grant a waiver allowing the Long Island Rail Road to open its route to the new Grand Central Madison terminal without installation of equipment to prevent Amtrak trains from inadvertently taking the wrong route, the New York Post reports. The move should allow the long-delayed terminal, some […]

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Biden calls on Congress to impose rail labor settlement

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WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has called on Congress to impose the terms of a tentative agreement between railroads and unions, which would prevent a strike that could come as soon as Dec. 9. Biden said he was calling for legislation to be passed “immediately … to avert a potentially crippling national rail shutdown.” House […]

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Business leaders urge Congress to prevent national railroad strike

Group of people holding picket signs outside building

WASHINGTON — With a Dec. 9 deadline looming, a coalition of more than 400 business groups today urged Congress to prevent a national railroad strike that would cripple the economy. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, along with trade groups representing manufacturers and retailers, said a strike would have major economic impacts as railroads curtail shipments […]

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CSX seeks FRA approval to use Trip Optimizer’s automatic start and stop feature

Locomotive with mix of freight cars

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation is awaiting regulatory approval to become the first railroad to use Trip Optimizer’s Zero-to-Zero function, which allows the advanced cruise control system to automatically start and stop freight trains. The goal, CSX says, is to save fuel as part of the railroad’s effort to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by […]

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