Railroad News

Nearly a quarter of MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) subway and bus workers have contracted COVID-19, according to a new study conducted by the New York University (NYU) School of Global Health.

The pilot study, conducted by NYU researchers in coordination with the Transport Workers Union Local 100 (TWU), illustrates the toll the pandemic is having on the physical and mental health of transit and other front-line workers, NYU officials said in a press release.

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) earlier this month selected the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRRA) as its 2020 Veterans Engagement Award winner for recruiting and supporting veterans. 

At ASLRRA’s Virtual Convention on Oct. 5, TRRA was recognized for its "focused and sustained" efforts to recruit veterans for employment. TRRA also was recognized for supporting veterans and their families in the community beyond the railroad's workforce.

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) yesterday honored individuals and organizations for their leadership, vision and life-time commitment to public transportation. The association also inducted four new members into the APTA Hall of Fame.

The APTA Honors recognize North American public transportation leaders who are outstanding role models of excellence, have demonstrated significant leadership, and whose accomplishments and innovations have greatly advanced public transportation, APTA officials said in a press release.

U.S. freight-rail traffic rose 2.2% to 518,763 carloads, containers and trailers for the week ending Oct. 17 compared with the same week in 2019, according to Association of American Railroads (AAR) data.

Total carloads for the week fell 7.5% to 226,828 units, while intermodal volume climbed 11.3% to 291,935 containers and trailers.

The League of Railway Women (LRW) yesterday named Metrolink Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Wiggins its 2020 Railway Woman of the Year during a virtual presentation.

Co-sponsored by Progressive Railroading, the annual award is presented to a woman in the rail industry who demonstrates vision, initiative, creativity and guidance in a leadership role within her professional railway field; is innovative, a problem-solver and overcomes challenges; and brings consistent excellence to her organization and surrounding community, LRW officials said in a press release.

Norfolk Southern Railway, GATX Corp., Genesee & Wyoming Inc., TrinityRail and Watco Cos. LLC yesterday announced a venture to create a technology platform that will help transform rail shipping.

The new venture, Rail Pulse, will facilitate and accelerate the adoption of GPS and other telematics technology across the North American rail-car fleet, NS officials said in a press release.

CSX Corp. yesterday reported third-quarter 2020 net earnings declined 14% to $736 million, or 96 cents per share, compared with $856 million, or $1.08 per share, in the same period a year ago.

Revenue for the quarter fell 11% to $2.65 billion, as intermodal volume growth was more than offset by declines in coal and merchandise volumes, as well as lower fuel surcharge revenue.

Union Pacific Railroad today reported third-quarter 2020 net income decreased 12% to $1.4 billion, or $2.01 per diluted share, from $1.6 billion, or $2.22 per diluted share, in the same quarter last year.

Operating revenue in the quarter fell 11% to $4.9 billion from a year ago. Third-quarter business volumes, as measured by total revenue carloads, decreased 4%. Premium volumes increased compared to Q3 2019, while industrial and bulk declined, UP officials said in a press release.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) is establishing a new advisory committee to "re-envision" transit safety and explore community-based approaches to policing. 

Through the new Transit Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC), LA Metro will consult with key law enforcement experts and community members as the agency seeks a more accountable culture of policing, according to an LA Metro press release.

The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Cap Metro) earlier this week opened a new MetroRail light-rail station in downtown Austin, Texas.

The station opened ahead of schedule and under the expected budget, Cap Metro officials said in a press release.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) officials yesterday launched a new digital map of the MTA New York City Transit subway system that provides real-time train information to riders.

The Live Subway Map will overlay clear and detailed track routes atop a geographically-correct street grid that becomes more detailed as the user zooms in. The map also shows the locations of trains as they move along the system in real time.

Class Is as of mid-September employed 118,123 people, down 0.3% from mid-August's level and down 13.69% from September 2019's count, according to Surface Transportation Board (STB) data.

Four of six employment categories logged decreases last month compared with August.

TransLink in Vancouver, British Columbia, yesterday announced that Kevin Desmond will step down as the agency’s chief executive officer in February 2021 to pursue career opportunities in the United States.

Desmond has been TransLink CEO since 2016. 

CN yesterday reported third-quarter 2020 revenue fell 11% to CA$3.4 billion compared with the same period a year ago due to lower volumes across most commodity groups.

The Class I reported Q3 diluted earnings per share of CA$1.38, down 17%, and operating income of CA$1.4 billion, down 15%. CN posted an operating ratio of 59.9%, up from 57.9% in Q3 2019.

FreightCar America Inc. completed its transaction and now owns 100% of its new manufacturing operation in Castanos, Mexico, where all future rail-car manufacturing is expected to be based by February 2021. The company also entered into a $40 million secured term loan agreement with a global investment management firm, FreightCar America officials said in a press release. Meanwhile, Jesus Gil, general manager of the new Castanos operation and an owner of Fabricaciones y Servicios de Mexico SA. de C.V., will be retained as the company's vice president of operations. Gill also will join FreightCar America’s board.

Railway Supply Institute (RSI) Vice President of Government and Public Affairs Nicole Brewin has been named to the Federal Railroad Administration’s Rail Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC). RSAC seeks to provide input on regulatory solutions that address rail safety. Meanwhile, RSI elected Tricia Charles, Jeff Lytle and Harrison Wadsworth to its board for three-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2021. Charles is general counsel for Union Tank Car Co. and Marmon Holdings; Lyle is president of CIT Rail; and Wadsworth is director of government affairs for Siemens Corp. Earlier this year, Progressive Railroading named Wadsworth a "Rising Star" of the North American railroad industry.

Sound Transit this week will begin demolition, utility relocation and tree removal to accommodate a planned 3.4-mile extension of the agency's Link light-rail into downtown Redmond, Washington.

The Downtown Redmond Link Extension will extend the light-rail line from the Redmond Technology Station and include two new stations serving southeast Redmond and the downtown residential and retail core, Sound Transit officials said in a press release.

Canadian Pacific today reported third-quarter 2020 revenue decreased 6% to CA$1.86 billion, diluted earnings per share (EPS) fell 1% to $4.41 and adjusted EPS dropped 11% to $4.12 compared with the same period a year ago.

The Class I posted an operating ratio of 58.2%, up from 56.1% in Q3 2019.

Viterra Inc. yesterday announced it will open a new grain elevator in Biggar, Saskatchewan, that will be served by Canadian Pacific.

The new facility will have a storage capacity for 34,000 metric tons and will be equipped with a loop track for rail loading.