Railway Age’s December 2024 issue is now available digitally, featuring the 2025 Freight Rail Outlook that recommends railroads “keep the throttle in Notch 8, but be prepared for some rough track and Approach Medium signal aspects.”
Contributing Editors Frank N. Wilner and Jason Seidl in the outlook feature and David Nahass in his “Financial Edge” column offer these thoughts and more for the year ahead:
- Wilner: “A railroad rampart against the absurd could be supply chain-knowledgeable Sen. John Thune (R-S.Dak.), elected the new Majority Leader by Republican peers—the filter against daft legislation and Looney Tunes Presidential nominations reaching the Senate floor for vote. His legacy depends on his protecting from Executive Branch aggrandizement the Senate’s Constitutional role as a co-equal branch of government. Railroads should wish him a hearty Godspeed.”
- Seidl: “Historically, most post-Presidential election cycles come with increased visibility for companies that unleash more business across transports; this one will likely not be much different. What is different is where we came from, the very clear expectations of a new Administration that has a majority in both Houses, and a Federal Reserve that appears to be on track to continue rate reductions. Let’s explore this backdrop and how it will pertain to our outlook for the rail industry in 2025.”
- Nahass: “There’s an old saying: When your taxi driver gives you stock tips, get out of the market. Here’s today’s reframe of that sentiment: When the Associated Press starts telling you there are going to be problems settling your labor contract nine months before its expiration, it might be time to cut and run.”
Inside the December 2024 issue, you’ll also find features on:
- Maintenance-of-Way: Users rely on tough yet resistant surfaces to perform under heavy rail and road traffic at highway/rail grade crossings. In “Safe, Smooth, Jolt-Free,” learn about the latest supplier offerings.
- Mechanical: “CPKC Puts Hydrogen to the Test” covers how CPKC is using its newest hydrogen-powered locomotive on heavy line haul coal trains in the mountains of British Columbia, after successfully deploying a prototype in Alberta.
- TTC Operated by ENSCO: ENSCO’s Director of Engineering Juan C. Valdes-Salazar and Director of Business Development Acacia Reber detail the recent transformation of Transportation Technology Center’s full-scale testing laboratory for rail vehicles and other heavy equipment: the Rail Dynamics Laboratory.
And don’t miss commentary by American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association President Chuck Baker, who discusses 45G: “a success story needing a new chapter.”
