Switching & Terminal

WATCHING WASHINGTON, RAILWAY AGE JUNE 2024 ISSUE: One would think California’s housing cost crisis, soaring energy prices, hundreds of companies relocating and a population exodus would induce greater regard for benefits and costs when formulating public policy. Not so the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that seeks to impose on railroads a regulatory burden whose CARB-estimated costs could exceed $13…

Railway Age’s June 2024 issue is now available digitally. In addition to featuring the annual Equipment Leasing Guide, it includes Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono’s coverage of the Canadian Pacific Kansas City “Final Spike Steam Tour” and Genesee & Wyoming’s 125th anniversary.

Transport Canada on May 31 announced up to C$51.2 million for 19 digital infrastructure projects under the National Trade Corridors Fund.

Hitachi Rail on May 31 completed its $1.8 billion acquisition of Thales’ Ground Transportation Systems (GTS) business, expanding its global presence to 51 countries with the majority of its revenues now coming from “higher return signaling and systems.” Post-closing Fiscal Year 2023 combined annual revenues of $7.9 billion are projected. With addition of Thales technology, Hitachi Rail systems (which include…

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) on May 29 reported its annual Jake Safety Award recipients, recognizing a “record” 385 member railroads for their above-industry-average safety performance in 2023; this includes 340 awardees of “Distinction” for zero reportable injuries in 2023, and 19 awardees that ASLRRA also chose for the President’s Award, for having the lowest injury…

Railway Association of Canada (RAC) appoints Janet Drysdale of CN as Board Chair, succeeding Jeffrey J. Ellis of Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC). Also, HNTB’s Jeff Watson earns the WTS Man of the Year Award, and WTS Utah names HNTB the Employer of the Year.

Rail Vision Ltd. receives a U.S. patent notice of allowance for its AI (Artificial Intelligence)-based railway obstacle detection system. Also, North American Rail Solutions acquires Strategic Rail, LLC in Tomahawk, Wis.

For the week ending May 18, 2024 (Week 20), total U.S. rail traffic came in at 474,886 carloads and intermodal units, up 0.9%—virtually flat—vs. the same week last year, according to a May 22 Association of American Railroads (AAR) report. It is the fourth consecutive week that carloads and intermodal containers and trailers combined were comparable to the prior-year periods.

BNSF-served Third Coast, a chemical contract manufacturer, is expanding its Pearland, Tex., operations to better serve the U.S. Gulf Coast chemical industry. Also, Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) adopts the West Weber Project Area for industrial development near Union Pacific (UP).

Norfolk Southern (NS) is named “Railroad of the Year” by Evergreen Line. Also, NS restores and donates the historic East Palestine train depot; Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s (CPKC) Shreveport Terminal earns a CEO Award for Excellence; and BNSF provides supporting materials to a just-released documentary.

The Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor kicks off the construction season with more than $77 million in projects under way. Also, the Port of Los Angeles, Calif., logs its ninth consecutive month of year-over-year cargo growth.

Amsted Digital Solutions has signed a multi-year agreement allowing RailPulse™—the coalition established in late 2020 to “facilitate and accelerate the adoption of GPS and other telematics technology across the North American railcar network”—to act as a non-exclusive reseller of its IQ Series telematics technology. The RailPulse coalition comprises founding members Norfolk Southern (NS), GATX Corporation, Genesee & Wyoming Inc., TrinityRail, and Watco, which…

CSX is recognized for its work helping veterans achieve post-military employment and holds its 2024 women in rail leadership event. Also, Norfolk Southern (NS) hosts its annual short line conference and presents its second-annual Bulldog Legacy Scholarships; and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) will open its newest automotive facility in June.

California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) appoints Alex Denis as Chief Procurement Officer. Also, Norfolk Southern’s (NS) Nabanita Nag earns a corporate counsel award; professional services firm STV recruits Angel Martinez and Thomas J. McGuinness to oversee transportation infrastructure projects in the Northeast; and U.S. Rail & Logistics (USRL) taps Andy Klinck as Senior Vice President of Operations.

The Port of Long Beach, Calif., marked its eighth consecutive month of year-over-year cargo growth in April. Also, South Carolina Ports’ (SC Ports) rail-served inland ports in Dillon and Greer logged record volumes last month.

Through the first 19 weeks of 2024 (ending May 11), total North American carload and intermodal traffic rose 2.0% from the same point last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported May 8. The U.S., Canada and Mexico all experienced gains.

Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) President and CEO and New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB) CEO Brandy D. Christian will step down June 17, 2024 to pursue an opportunity in the private sector, as CEO of Patriot Rail. Christian has served as Port NOLA President and CEO since Jan.1, 2017 and as NOPB CEO since its acquisition by Port…

Surface Transportation Board (STB) member Patrick J. Fuchs, a Republican, was Senate-confirmed by voice vote May 14 to a second five-year term, while Democrat Jennifer Esposito Homendy was similarly confirmed both to a second term on the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and as its chairperson. Railway Age reported in April the likely pairing for the Senate floor vote. Neither…

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) has awarded Rail Industrial Access Program grants to SharpTech USA LLC, Queen City Logistics Center LLC and Norfolk Terminal LP to rehabilitate existing or construct new track access to their facilities for the purpose of promoting truck diversion and connecting new or expanding businesses to the freight railroad network. The Commonwealth…

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is seeking nominations to fill a small-railroad representative vacancy on its Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (RSTAC).