WASHINGTON – The Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger will snarl rail traffic in Chicago, particularly at a key junction where CP operates on trackage rights over Canadian National and Metra, CN has told federal regulators. CP says the merger will generate significant growth in intermodal and automotive traffic that will be sorted at its Bensenville […]
CHICAGO — Tourist railroads continue to see strong summer demand despite record inflation and high fuel prices. Railroads note, however, that the tide may be turning as mounting economic uncertainty may change consumer buying decisions. According to the U.S. Travel Association, American consumers reached a new pandemic high of $101 billion in travel spending in […]
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — By a resounding margin, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have authorized a strike — a move that could come as soon as Monday, July 18. The union — which represents more than 57,000 U.S. rail employees — reports 99.5% of its members voted to authorize a strike if […]
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation has released its 2021 Environmental, Social, and Governance Report, outlining its efforts to workforce, sustainability, social, and governance issues as well as its economic performance. The report documents the railroad’s progress against its 2030 environmental goals, efforts to build an inclusive workforce, and address its social and governance priorities. “By […]
Canadian National was the only one of the big six railroads to gain traffic in 2022’s second quarter. CN’s traffic was up 0.4%, essentially flat compared to last year’s second quarter. CSX Transportation was flat, too, but its volume was down 0.1%. Canadian Pacific’s traffic was down 1.5%. Union Pacific’s declined 2% for the quarter, […]
WASHINGTON — In March, Metra said it would oppose the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger because changes to freight operations in the Chicago area would increase commuter train delays by 400%. Last month, Metra’s more detailed analysis of the revised operating plan CP and KCS submitted to federal regulators showed the merger actually would increase […]
MONTREAL — VIA Rail Canada workers have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, according to the Unifor union. In voting by workers across Canada from June 20 to July 1, members of Unifor Council 4000 were 99.3% in favor of a strike, while Unifor Local 100 members voted 99.4% in favor. “The strike vote result […]
OTTAWA — The Government of Canada has announced two actions to address the impact of climate change on railroads — one regarding fire prevention, and the other to address efforts to make infrastructure resilient to issues such as flooding and landslides. The fire-prevention rules, effective during the April 1-Oct. 31 fire season, require railroads: — […]
MONTREAL — Rail equipment manufacturer Alstom will open an innovation center to develop sustainable products at its headquarters for the America in St-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec, the company has announced. Alstom committed to creation of the center as part of its acquisition of Bombardier Transportation in January 2021. Its primary mission will be to develop hybrid, battery, […]
WASHINGTON — As part of their review of the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger, federal regulators will consider requests for conditions from Canadian National and Norfolk Southern. The Surface Transportation Board on July 1 said that it has accepted the so-called responsive applications from CN and NS. CN has asked the board to force CP […]
WASHINGTON — The leader of a federation of rail and other unions has written a group of U.S. senators asking that Congress give the Surface Transportation Board more power to enforce railroads’ common-carrier obligations as a way to address ongoing service issues. Tuesday’s letter from Greg Regan, president of the Transportation Trades Division, AFL-CIO — […]
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Three unions have ratified new contracts with Canadian Pacific subsidiaries in the U.S. and eastern Canada, the railroad has announced. The agreements cover a total of about 430 employees on the Central Maine & Quebec in Canada (represented by United Steel Workers Local 1976), the CM&Q in the U.S. (represented by the SMART […]
