Breaking News

Metrolinx Selects ETCS Level 2 for GO Transit

Foregoing PTC (Positive Train Control) as deployed on the U.S. rail network, Metrolinx says its GO Transit regional rail system will be “the first passenger rail system in either Canada or the

CTA Sets CN, CPKC 2024–2025 VRCPIs

The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has set its determination of the Volume-Related Composite Price Index (VRCPI) for CN at 1.9281 and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) at 1.8760 for the 2024–2025 crop year beginning

(Courtesy of IANA)

IANA: ‘Intermodal Makes Gains’

Total Intermodal volume for first-quarter 2024 was up 8% from the prior-year period, according to IANA’s (Intermodal Association of North America) latest report. It was the second consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth.

Commentary

Rail Supply: ‘Buy North American’

Almost 10 years ago, CRRC (China Railway Rolling Stock Company), the world’s largest rail rolling stock and railcar components company, a Chinese Communist Party SOE (State-Owned Enterprise), set forth a grand strategy

(San Diego MTS)

Transit Briefs: San Diego MTS, OCTA, LA Metro

Affirmed Housing and the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) celebrate the completion of a new transit-oriented development. Also, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) completes its 2024 Climate Adaptation and Sustainability Plan (CASP); and LA Metro releases its Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 project.

Pictured, left to right: Jannet Walker-Ford, Keolis North America (WSP Photograph); Amanda Coates, Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA Photograph); Joseph Sczurko, WSP (WSP Photograph); and Christopher Peters, WSP (WSP Photograph).

People News: Keolis, Port NOLA, WSP, Duos

Keolis North America (Keolis) appoints Jannet Walker-Ford as Board Chair. Also, the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) elevates Amanda Coates to Chief Commercial Officer; WSP Global, Inc. promotes Joseph Sczurko and Christopher Peters to President and Chief Operating Officer, respectively, in the United States; and Duos taps Adrian Goldfarb as Chief Financial Officer.

In the three months ending March 31, 2024, Trinity’s Rail Products Group delivered 4,695 railcars; received orders for 1,880 railcars, valued at $259.5 million; and had a backlog value of $2.9 billion. (Trinity Photograph)

Trinity: ‘Strong Performance’ in 1Q24

“We are pleased with the progress exhibited in Trinity Industries’ first quarter results,” Jean Savage, President and CEO of the railcar manufacturer and lessor said during a May 1 financial report. “Our results show strong performance in both segments of our business, demonstrating the strength of our platform.”

Commentary

Reciprocal Switching: Not Quite Done

The STB has issued its decision in Ex Parte 711 (Sub No. 2). When it issued its proposed rule in October, I wrote that I thought this was an appropriate next step:

ISS Endorses NS Director Slate—Mostly (Updated)

ISS—not the International Space Station weighing in from 1.33 million feet (246 miles) above the earth’s surface in orbit, but that other ISS, proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services—is endorsing seven of

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Commentary

Crew Size: ‘It Depends’

FROM THE EDITOR, RAILWAY AGE MAY 2024 ISSUE: Multiple-choice question: How many crew members should occupy a locomotive cab? A) Three. B) Two. C) One. D) Zero. E) None of the Above.

STB Finalizes Reciprocal Switching Rule (Updated)

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on April 30 reported adopting Reciprocal Switching for Inadequate Service, STB Docket No. EP 711 (Sub-No. 2), by unanimous vote, implementing new regulations at 49 CFR part 1145, which it said “sets forth a path for shippers and receivers to petition the Board for the prescription of a reciprocal switching agreement.” The final rule “is designed to promote adequate rail service,” according to the STB. Board Member Robert Primus concurred with a separate expression, noting “I am voting for the final rule because something is better than nothing.” Frank N. Wilner, Railway Age Capitol Hill Contributing Editor, weighs in and provides a reciprocal switching “primer.”

Illinois State Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) have introduced the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act that proposes combining RTA, CTA, Metra and Pace into a new Chicagoland entity and providing it with an annual boost of $1.5 billion, according to a WGN9 report on April 29. (CTA Photograph Courtesy of FTA)

Transit Briefs: CTA/Metra/Pace/RTA, VIA Rail, WMATA

Two Illinois state legislators propose merging the Regional Transit Authority (RTA), Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra commuter rail and Pace suburban bus in Chicago. Also, VIA Rail Canada Inc. (VIA Rail) adds service between Ottawa and Toronto; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) improves faregate display-screen messaging.

Norfolk Southern will serve Anderson-DuBose Company’s new cold-storage distribution facility in Jacksonville, Fla.-based Westlake Industrial Park (pictured). (NS Image)

Industrial Development Briefs: NS, CPKC

Norfolk Southern (NS) is selling property in Jacksonville, Fla., for the development of a $60 million rail-served food storage and distribution facility. Also, temperature-controlled warehouser and distributor NewCold is investing C$222 million in a new Southern Alberta food storage facility, to be served by Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC).

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