Regulatory

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has determined that the cost of capital for the railroad industry, which is calculated each year, was 10.68% for 2024.

In general, 2024 was “a tough year” for the industry, but the situation “has shifted far more toward the positive and will continue to do so in 2025.” That’s the…

Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Patrick Fuchs on July 21 announced that the agency is holding a series of meetings “designed to discuss ideas and opportunities to update the STB’s…

We upgrade shares of Norfolk Southern and CSX to Buy as the likelihood of rail consolidation moves up considerably. A Union Pacific bid for NSC likely results in a BNSF…

The New Jersey Transit (NJT) Board of Directors on July 17 adopted the agency’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 operating budget of approximately $3.16 billion, plus the local program budget of…

July marks the 10th anniversary of Wabtec Corporation’s Evolution Series Tier 4—one of the most modern diesel locomotives serving North America and the first freight locomotive to meet the U.S.…

Class I merger talk comes back to center stage as the Wall Street Journal reports Union Pacific is in early discussions with Norfolk Southern. We hosted a call with Littlejohn…

Jacobs on July 17 reported being selected to provide design services for Sound Transit’s West Seattle Link Extension project in Washington State, which will add 4.1 miles of light rail…

Union Pacific (UP) is in early-stage discussions to acquire Norfolk Southern (NS), “according to people familiar with the matter,” The Wall Street Journal reported July 17. “[T]here are no guarantees…

Join Railway Age and Railway Track & Structures in Pittsburgh, Pa., this October for the Light Rail 2025 Conference. This event will offer a comprehensive review of the specialized technical,…

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has appointed 12 members to a new Advisory Board that will develop “strategic recommendations for infrastructure modernization and expansion”; identify “key investment opportunities in…

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy on July 15 announced $488 million in awards from the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program for 30 projects across the…

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released the final report for its investigation of the Aug. 27, 2024, Norfolk Southern (NS) conductor who was seriously injured while coupling coal…

VIA Rail Canada on July 15 celebrated the completion of its Halifax Station renovation project, part of a C$80 million investment to upgrade four “heritage” stations. Canada’s national passenger railroad…

The Senate Committee on Appropriations on July 14 announced that it will mark up the 2026 House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Bill, which “significantly…

As Innovation Week comes to a close, few sectors better illustrate the quiet power of American ingenuity than freight rail—where century-old infrastructure is being reimagined with cutting-edge technology to move…

Paul J. Wiedefeld is stepping down as Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Secretary. Also, Kaplan Kirsch LLP grows its legal bench with the addition of former U.S. Department of Transportation…

“Smart crossing” technology was added in June 2024 to boost safety near a Metrolink regional passenger rail station in Orange County, Calif., following deployment at seven crossings along the nine-mile Arrow…

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on March 14 reported that it will review Norfolk Southern’s (NS) proposal to acquire Norfolk & Portsmouth Belt Line Railroad Company (NPBL), a Virginia S&T…

Gov. Maura Healey has signed the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget and supplemental budget for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, both of which provide funds to help stabilize Massachusetts Bay Transportation…