Rail Industry News
UP train stopped near L.A. after conductor discovers possible explosive device
(Source: Los Angeles Daily News, May 20, 2015) SYLMAR — A Union Pacific freight train was stopped in Sylmar today when a conductor discovered a possible explosive device on board. Full story: Los Angeles Daily News
Proposed Tongue River Railroad project opens for public comment
(Source: Billings Gazette, May 20, 2015) BILLINGS, Mont. — Rancher Clint McRae says he has spent the past 30 years worried the government would take his southeast Montana land and give it to a coal railroad. Full story: www.missoulian.com
Pennsylvania governor asks rail companies to voluntarily tighten oil train safety standards
(Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 20, 2015) PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday appealed directly to the two major railroads that transport crude oil through Pennsylvania to implement a wide range of additional, more stringent safety standards to reduce the...
AAR: Total weekly rail traffic down 2.9 percent from 2014 for week ending May 16
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, May 20, 2015) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending May 16, 2015. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 549,199 carloads...
Declining demand spurs CP Rail to cut oil shipment forecast again
(Source: Bloomberg, May 20, 2015) NEW YORK — Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. cut its forecast for moving crude by rail for a second time in four months because of production delays and lower demand for the commodity. Full story: Bloomberg
Oil by rail volumes dropped almost 12% in first quarter of 2015
(Source: Reuters, May 20, 2015) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Crude oil shipments by top U.S. railroads fell nearly 12 percent in the first quarter of this year from the previous three months, the American Association of Railroads said on Wednesday, a drop likely tied to...
Railroad safety fact check: Fires and spills are up despite industry claims
(Source: Grist, May 20, 2015) NEW YORK — Despite the terrible derailment of an Amtrak train last week and a spate of other fiery accidents involving trains carrying flammable crude oil — five so far this year — railroad industry and government officials have taken...
Senators along Northest Corridor to push for full Amtrak funding
(Source: Associated Press, May 21, 2015) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators representing states along Amtrak's Northeast Corridor will urge the Senate Appropriations Committee to fully fund Amtrak's funding request on Thursday as the Committee prepares to debate the...
Engineer in Philadelphia derailment had lengthy on-the-job training, Amtrak counters
(Source: www.nj.com, May 20, 2015) PHILADELPHIA — Responding to reports that the train operator in last week's deadly derailment was relatively new to the Northeast Corridor, an Amtrak spokesman said Wednesday that prospective engineers spend a year or more learning...
NTSB rules out signal malfunction in Amtrak derailment
(Source: NBC Philadelphia, May 20, 2015) PHILADELPHIA — More than a week after an Amtrak train derailed in Philadelphia, killing eight and injuring more than 200, The National Transportation Safety Board said it's found no signal malfunctions along the tracks. Full...
NTSB investigating engineer’s cell phone in Philadelphia Amtrak crash
(Source: NBC News, May 20, 2015) NEW YORK — Federal investigators said Wednesday they are still trying to determine whether the engineer of the Amtrak train that derailed in Philadelphia was using his cellphone while he was at the controls. The National Transportation...
Editorial: Congress’ neglect of Amtrak deplorable
(Source: Times Herald-Record, May 19, 2015) MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. — Short-sighted “cost-saving” measures by Congress have created a situation of fast-moving trains traveling on aging tracks, over outdated bridges and through 19th century tunnels. Yet, the day after the...
BNSF won’t face possible fine for oil spill reporting until January
(Source: Bellingham Herald, May 19, 2015) BELLINGHAM, Wash. — It likely will be January 2016 before it is decided if BNSF Railway should face fines for what state rail regulators said was improper reporting of crude oil and other hazardous materials spills. Full...
In STB filing, coal shippers question freight railroad costs
(Source: National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, May 19, 2015) ARLINGTON, Va. — At a time of record rail profits, electric cooperatives and other coal shippers want the Surface Transportation Board to change the way it determines whether railroads make enough...
Illinois mayors, colleges oppose governor’s proposed Amtrak cuts
(Source: Associated Press, May 19, 2015) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Amtrak rail service reductions that would follow proposed cuts in next year’s state budget will hurt businesses and impact students, Illinois university officials and mayors told a state Senate committee...
Oil refiner Tesoro building tanker cars stronger than new U.S. rules require
(Source: Reuters, May 18, 2015) NEW YORK — U.S. refiner Tesoro Corp has ordered new crude oil railcars with features that surpass safety standards that federal regulators set this month, executives told Reuters. Full story: Reuters
Watco acquires two west Texas short lines from Iowa Pacific Holdings
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, May 19, 2015) NEW YORK — Watco Companies purchased two west Texas shortlines from Iowa Pacific Holdings, LLC, May 18, 2015. Watco Transportation Services (WTS) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Texas and New Mexico...
Evacuation order lifted in New Orleans neighborhood after Union Pacific tanker derailment
(Source: Times Picayune, May 20, 2015) NEW ORLEANS — Around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, officials said four Union Pacific chemical tankers en route to Livonia derailed near the intersection of Peter Messina Road. No injuries have been reported, officials say. The tankers were...
Environmental groups challenge oil train safety rules
(Source: Associated Press, May 14, 2015) BILLINGS, Mont. — A coalition of environmental groups has filed a court challenge to new federal rules aimed at preventing accidents involving trains carrying oil and other flammable fuels. Full story: The Missoulian
Michael Bloomberg: Even Amtrak accident can’t move Congress
(Source: Market Watch, May 19, 2015) NEW YORK — Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg criticized both Democrats and Republicans for failing to boost the nation’s infrastructure. Full story: Market Watch
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