Railroad

The Surface Transportation Board has approved merger plans between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern railroads.

The International Association of Machinists and the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen have each reached sick leave agreements with Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC).

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said Tuesday the state has filed a lawsuit in federal court against Norfolk Southern in order to ensure the railroad will be financially responsible for derailment costs and economic damages.

The Georgia Ports Authority reported its second-busiest February ever.

A roundup of recent news items from Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific, Amtrak and the Surface Transportation Board.

A Senate hearing Thursday provided Congressional leaders a chance to grill Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan Shaw not just on the Feb. 3 train derailment in Ohio but also on the industry’s views on rail safety.

BNSF and three unions reach sick leave deals; Trinity Industries acquires a 3PL; and STB names new members to an energy transportation advisory committee.

Norfolk Southern notified federal officials about loose wheels, and the Association of American Railroads put out an advisory to halt the use of rail cars that might have this issue.

The Association of American Railroads has laid out initiatives the freight rail industry expects to take up to boost safety amid calls from federal officials in the wake of the Feb. 3 Ohio train derailment.

A study found use of hot-box detectors has contributed to a 59% decrease in certain train accidents since 1990.

“While the Railway Safety Act of 2023 has potential, railroad workers are concerned with what is glaringly left out of the bill and what aspects are left to the DOT and FRA to draft, implement, and administer,” said Matt Weaver of Railroad Workers United.

Three rail unions representing mechanical workers say BNSF violated federal labor laws because of the way it has handled the staffing for its locomotive maintenance program. The unions also argue that BNSF has been deferring maintenance and adhering to a minimum standard.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Railroad Administration will conduct investigations into Norfolk Southern’s safety practices.

Following two recent derailments in Ohio, Norfolk Southern received more bad news as a conductor died after a crossing accident at a customer facility.

Union members representing those working in mechanical, intermodal and facility management at Canadian railway CN voted to go on strike should talks between the parties fail to reach an agreement.

The Federal Railroad Administration collects a lot of data related to rail safety. What does that research show when it comes to the performance of the Class I railroads?

The New Mexico House of Representatives has passed a bill to require a freight train crew size of at least two members. The bill now goes to the state Senate.

Norfolk Southern has released a six-point plan that addresses how the railroad expects to improve its use of hot box detectors.

This AskWaves article describes the various stakeholders involved in regulating rail safety.

All seven Class I railroads have agreed to participate in a federal program in which workers can anonymously provide tips on operational conditions. The participation will complement existing internal programs at the railroads, says the Association of American Railroads.