Amtrak

6 Takeaways from CSX’s Hearing on Pan Am Railways

The official focus of CSX’s recent hearing before the Surface Transportation Board was the company’s proposed acquisition of New England short-line railroad Pan Am Railways. But the dominant issues that surfaced — among them, passenger rail versus freight rail and competitive access to new markets — impact the freight rail industry as a whole as it seeks to position itself for more robust competition with trucking.

The following six themes, which played out at the two-day hearing, reflect...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/6-takeaways-from-csxs-hearing-on-pan-am-railways

The Log Book: Operation Lifesaver celebrates 50 years of rail safety education

The Log Book is a weekly rundown of human interest stories related to the transportation industry. This week: Operation Lifesaver celebrates 50 years of rail safety education, PCG donates 20,000 boxes to service organizations and Gopuff begins delivering COVID-19 tests in 20 mins.

Operation Lifesaver celebrates 50 years of rail safety education

Non-profit rail safety education and awareness organization Operation Lifesaver will be observing its 50th anniversary this year.

Through various...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/the-log-book-operation-lifesaver-celebrates-50-years-of-rail-safety-education

Canadian Pacific, CSX nail down support for acquisitions

The Class I railroads seeking to acquire or merge with other freight railroads want to prove to federal regulators and the broader public that their proposed acquisitions would benefit passenger rail and local communities.  

The support comes at a time when the Biden administration seeks to expand intercity passenger rail service, while last year’s infrastructure package also addressed potential intercity rail opportunities.

First off, Amtrak is lending support to Canadian Pacific’s proposed...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/canadian-pacific-csx-nail-down-support-for-acquisitions

CSX and NS: Amtrak didn’t track Gulf Coast service impact

A photograph of an Amtrak train.

The Surface Transportation Board should not be swayed by the political winds that appear to support Amtrak’s ambitions when it comes to restoring passenger rail service between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans, attorneys representing CSX and Norfolk Southern said recently.

“This board is not a political rubber stamp. It is an independent arbiter required to neutrally apply the statute in a way that balances the interests of all stakeholders. And here Congress has made clear that Amtrak is not...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/csx-and-ns-amtrak-didnt-track-gulf-coast-service-impact

From safety to technology: Rail initiatives in infrastructure bill

A photograph of a train with tank cars crossing a rail crossing.

From positive train control to passenger rail, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed Monday by President Joe Biden covers a gamut of safety, capital improvement funding and technological initiatives aimed at bolstering freight rail. 

Rail-related provisions included in the $1.3 trillion bill, according to the Association of American Railroads, the Association of Short Line and Regional Railroads, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), the Coalition for America’s...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/from-safety-to-technology-rail-initiatives-in-infrastructure-bill

Surface Transportation Board wants input on hot topics

A photograph of a rail cars parked in a rail yard.Board seeks to create an environmental impact statement on proposed CP-KCS merger

An office within the Surface Transportation Board plans to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) on Canadian Pacific’s (NYSE: CP) proposed acquisition of Kansas City Southern (NYSE: KSU).

STB’s Office of Environmental Analysis on Friday issued a notice of intent to produce the EIS because “the proposed acquisition has the potential to result in environmental impacts,” STB said. STB will conduct an...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/surface-transportation-board-wants-input-on-hot-topics

CSX, Norfolk Southern want Amtrak’s Gulf Coast service proposal denied

CSX and Norfolk Southern want the Surface Transportation Board to deny Amtrak’s request to restore Gulf Coast service next year if Amtrak doesn’t agree to pay for infrastructure improvements that would ensure passenger service wouldn’t cause significant delays for freight rail.

CSX owns the tracks that Amtrak would use to go between New Orleans and Mobile in Alabama. Amtrak would also need access to NS’ track and infrastructure. By law, freight trains must give Amtrak priority when they share...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/csx-norfolk-southern-want-amtraks-gulf-coast-service-proposal-denied

Amtrak pushes for access to Gulf Coast networks of CSX, NS

A photograph of a CSX train hauling tank cars.

Amtrak is urging the Surface Transportation Board to compel CSX and Norfolk Southern to allow it access to their networks along the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Doing so enables Amtrak to “perform all necessary preparations for the restoration of the Gulf Coast service,” it said in a Wednesday filing to STB.

Amtrak is seeking to reinstall passenger service between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, but CSX (NASDAQ: CSX) and NS (NYSE: NSC) want all stakeholders, including Amtrak, to complete a study that would...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/amtrak-pushes-for-access-to-gulf-coast-networks-of-csx-ns

Major US highway in California reopens near Alisal wildfire

Road sign along U.S. Highway 101 in Southern California)

The Alisal fire started Monday afternoon near the Alisal Reservoir in Southern California’s Santa Ynez mountains, forcing a shutdown of part of a major highway. Fortunately, firefighters have been able to gain control of the blaze, and the road is open again. 

(Map: FreightWaves SONAR Critical Events. Alisal fire in Southern California, Oct. 15, 2021. To learn more about FreightWaves SONAR, click here.)

Strong northwest winds pushed the fire south over the summit toward the Tajiguas Landfill...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/major-us-highway-in-california-reopens-near-alisal-wildfire

FRA, states develop 40-year plan to bolster Midwest passenger rail

A photograph of an Amtrak train crossing a desert field.

The Federal Railroad Administration and regional and state stakeholders have unveiled a 40-year plan aimed at restoring and boosting the existing passenger rail network in the Midwest.

Although the Midwest Regional Rail Plan released on Wednesday focuses on passenger rail, a number of intercity routes used by Amtrak are owned by the freight railroads. Per federal law, the freight railroads must give Amtrak priority on their tracks. 

Because of that, the plan, with the FRA and the Midwest...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fra-states-develop-40-year-plan-to-bolster-midwest-passenger-rail

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