Rail Industry News

(Source: Railway Age, October 12, 2017) NEW YORK — Caltrans released the public draft of the California State Rail Plan, which outlines a new framework for California’s rail network, for new and better rail transportation, and multimodal and community connections in...

(Source: Daily Herald, October 12, 2017) CHICAGO — A Downers Grove man might end up on Santa's naughty list this Christmas for using a beloved "Polar Express" holiday train ride to stuff his own stocking. Benjamin Sheets, 50, pleaded guilty Thursday to making false...

(Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, October 12, 2017) PHILADELPHIA — The Chinese manufacturer that won the bid to produce new rail cars for SEPTA has begun testing cars ordered by Boston. Full story: Philadelphia Inquirer

(Source: WCPO, October 13, 2017) ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP, Ohio — During an emergency, the St. Clair Township Fire Department relies on luck. Railroad tracks divide the township neatly in half, and trains owned by CSX Transportation roll through at least once an hour. Full...

(Source: The Tennessean, October 12, 2017) NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ricky Skaggs has signed on to spread Christmas cheer to families in Appalachia this holiday season by joining the 75th running of the CSX Santa Train. Full story: The Tennessean

(Source: Supply Chain Management Review, October 12, 2017) FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — A 2007 lawsuit that cited Class I railroads¬- Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp., CSX Corp., Norfolk Southern Corp., and Union Pacific Corp- collaborated to fix fuel surcharges was denied...

(Source: Bergen Record, October 13, 2017) BERGEN COUNTY, N.J. — The volume of crude oil shipped by rail may have declined in recent months, but communities in New Jersey and other states face another hazard: ethanol. Full story: www.northjersey.com

(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, October 12, 2017) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Top Teamsters leaders joined with members of Congress and their fellow union allies from across North America today in laying out a path forward for a revamped North...

(Source: Plastics News, October 12, 2017) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Plastics materials companies and their lobbyists urged federal regulators in an Oct. 11 hearing to take a tougher line with railroad CSX Corp., and said they continue to be plagued by severe problems at the...

(Source: Florida Times-Union, October 12, 2017) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX CEO and President Hunter Harrison apologized to customers who came to a “public listening session” by the Surface Transportation Board on Wednesday in Washington to complain in person about poor...

(Source: Supply Chain Drive, October 12, 2017) WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the day went by, more and more guests took to the floor to address what they saw as the larger problem in the rail industry: a disregard for customer service due to a lack of competition. CSX's...

(Source: CBC News, October 12, 2017) MONTREAL — The Montreal, Maine and Atlantic (MMA) railway employee in charge of safety and training in Quebec said after the Lac-Mégantic disaster, he told police a minimum of nine handbrakes should have been applied to the train...

(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, October 11, 2017) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending October 7, 2017. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 554,826...

(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, September 29, 2017) CHICAGO — Beginning October 1, 2017, the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) reduced railroad unemployment and sickness insurance benefits by 6.6 percent, down from the current 6.9 percent...

(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, October 2, 2017) CHICAGO — According to Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) policy, every annuitant has the right to manage his or her own benefits. However, when physical or mental impairments make a railroad retirement...

(Source: Bloomberg, October 11, 2017) NEW YORK — Kobe Steel Ltd.’s fake data scandal penetrated deeper into the most hallowed corners of Japanese industry as iconic bullet trains were found with sub-standard parts supplied by the steelmaker. Full story: Bloomberg

(Source: www.king5.com, October 11, 2017) SEATTLE — The rules are simple. If a mudslide hits the BNSF Railway mainline between Seattle and Everett, passenger trains have to stop rolling for 48 hours, providing there are no additional slides within that window. Full...

(Source: Editorial in the Albany Times Union, October 11, 2017) ALBANY, N.Y. — It's understandable that politicians prefer to cut a ribbon on a bridge or shiny new train station than fix a sewer pipe or a rail line deep in a tunnel. It does no one any good, though, to...

(Source: KFGO, October 11, 2017) MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — A former Minnesota employee of Canadian Pacific Railway has been convicted of sabotaging the company's computer network after being forced out of the company. Full story: www.kfgo.com

(Source: Tribune-Star, October 11, 2017) TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — A court ruling this week concerning blocked railroad crossings in a northeastern Indiana city has potential implications for crossing-laden Terre Haute. Full story: Tribune-Star