Trio of shipper groups urge STB to reject CN’s voting trust plan for KCS

Canadian National and Kansas City Southern logos

WASHINGTON – A coalition of shipper groups on Monday urged federal regulators to reject Canadian National’s request to put Kansas City Southern into a voting trust while their proposed merger is under review. The Freight Rail Customer Alliance, National Coal Transportation Association, and Private Railcar Food and Beverage Association said that while they had not taken […]

Read More…

News photos: NS train derails near Horseshoe Curve

Overturned trailers on flatcars

ALTOONA, Pa. — A westbound Norfolk Southern intermodal train has derailed near Horseshoe curve, leading authorities to ask the public to stay away from the area. Photographer D. Collin Reinhart reports the derailment of westbound train 21G occurred Monday afternoon on Main 2 in the area of Allegrippus Curve, blocking all three tracks, and only […]

Read More…

Fertilizer shippers single out CSX Transportation service problems

Train crossing bridge

WASHINGTON — The association representing fertilizer shippers says federal regulators should put CSX Transportation under the microscope due to widespread service problems that stem from a shortage of train crews. “For the past several months, CSX has had serious rail service problems, hindering the fertilizer industry’s ability to serve its farmer customers,” Corey Rosenbusch, chief […]

Read More…

California’s Fillmore & Western to cease operations

Steam-powered tourist train

FILLMORE, Calif. — Southern California short line and excursion railroad Fillmore & Western Railway will officially cease operations June 30, 2021. The current operators, Dave and Tresa Wilkinson, are retiring from the tourist railroad business after more than 30 years. They have successfully operated excursion trains, Mystery Dinner trains, and Santa Claus, specials among others. […]

Read More…

CSX announces new roles for three executives

CSX logo

JACKSONVILLE — Executives Mark K. Wallace, Kevin S. Boone, and Sean R. Pelkey will move into new roles in changes announced today by CSX Corp. Wallace, who had been executive vice president of sales and marketing, becomes executive vice president, a role focusing on special projects and initiatives supporting CEO James M. Foote. Wallace is […]

Read More…

Digest: Illinois EPA asks state attorney general to take action on tank car hazmat incident

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency logo

Illinois EPA seeks action on tank car incident in Wood River, Ill. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency said it has asked the state’s Attorney General’s Office to pursue legal action against the Phillips 66 refinery in Roxana, Ill., over the venting of sulfuric acid from four tank cars in Wood River, Ill., that began last […]

Read More…

Amtrak CEO voices opposition to CSX-Pan Am Railways deal (updated and corrected)

Amtrak logo.

WASHINGTON — Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn says the company opposes CSX Transportation’s acquisition of New England regional Pan Am Railways, saying the deal in its current form “represents a significant threat to the American traveling public” and “will negatively impact current passenger train service and future routes in Massachusetts and Northern New England.” Amtrak has […]

Read More…

Analysis: Can railroads ever tap the potential of watershed traffic?

orange locomotive with empty well railcars with clouds in Wisconsin

  Intermodal is having a moment in the sun thanks to the impact of the pandemic. Consumers are buying goods faster than retailers can refill their shelves and warehouses, so imports are surging and ports are clogged. Parcel shipments are soaring as a decade’s worth of e-commerce growth was crammed into the past year. U.S. […]

Read More…

CSX Transportation CEO remains confident about Pan Am acquisition

Front of a train

CSX Transportation remains confident that it will receive regulatory approval to acquire New England regional Pan Am Railways despite two setbacks at the Surface Transportation Board. “We’re just in the early stages of seeking authority to complete the transaction from the Surface Transportation Board,” CEO Jim Foote told an investor webcast today. “And I’m confident […]

Read More…

Amtrak to restore full meal service on western long-distance trains

French toast with fruit and sausage

WASHINGTON — Amtrak will restore traditional dining-car service for sleeping-car passengers on its western long-distance routes as of June 23, with chef-prepared meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In a Wednesday press release, the passenger railroad promises “a redesigned menu,” new appetizers, and table service with glassware, cutlery and linen tablecloths, with ceramic dishware to […]

Read More…

Digest: Amtrak Capitol Corridor service to increase June 7

Passenger train approaches camera location.

Capitol Corridor increases service for the first time since June 2020 California’s Capitol Corridor Amtrak service will increase as of Monday, June 7, with San Jose-Sacramento service going from 16 to 22 trips daily, while Oakland-San Jose service will return to the pre-pandemic level of 14 trips daily. Also, the Richmond Standard reports, Café Car […]

Read More…