Railpace Hot News
Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.
May 4, 2023
Weekly Rail Traffic for April and the Week Ending April 29, 2023
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending April 29, 2023, as well as volumes for April 2023. U.S. railroads originated 936,637 carloads in April 2023, up 1.8 percent, or 16,981 carloads, from April 2022. U.S. railroads also originated 945,313 containers and trailers in April 2023, down 12.7 percent, or 137,879 units, from the same month last year. Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in April 2023 were 1,881,950, down 6.0 percent, or 120,898 carloads and intermodal units from April 2022.
May 3, 2023
The LIRR Is Off and Running to Belmont Park
When Belmont Park’s Spring/Summer horse racing meet starts on Thursday, May 4, racing fans will benefit for the first time from massive Long Island Rail Road service increases to the racetrack made possible by the recent openings of the new Elmont-UBS Arena Station as well as Grand Central Madison and Main Line Third Track. During track hours between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., 30 trains will serve the track on weekdays and 78 on weekends. Trains operate 365 days a year at the Elmont-UBS Arena station, helping to serve the needs of the local community in addition to sports fans.
May 3, 2023
110 mph Schedules Coming for Amtrak Chicago-St. Louis Corridor
Amtrak and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) have received federal approval for maximum speeds up to 110 mph for most of the Chicago-St. Louis corridor, primarily between the Amtrak stations in Joliet and Alton.
May 2, 2023
FRA Launches New Rail Safety Program
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announcing the availability of $5 million to fund a rail research and development Center of Excellence made possible by the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This new program will advance research and development efforts that seek to improve the safety, performance, and sustainability of freight, intercity passenger, and commuter rail.
May 1, 2023
Norfolk Southern and SMART-TD Reach Comprehensive Tentative Agreement on Quality-of-Life Benefits
Norfolk Southern Corporation and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers — Transportation Division (SMART-TD) announced Friday that they have reached a ground-breaking, system-wide tentative agreement. The agreement would offer a comprehensive suite of new benefits and workplace enhancements to improve quality of life for Norfolk Southern’s conductors.
April 28, 2023
Amtrak Partners with ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ Broadway Show to Bring the Magic to Life
Amtrak is the official rail transportation partner for the Broadway show “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” now playing at the Lyric Theatre in New York City. In addition, four specially wrapped Amtrak locomotives will power Northeast Regional service operating on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) between Washington, D.C., and Boston between April 28 and June 25.
April 26, 2023
Norfolk Southern Reports First Quarter 2023 Results
Norfolk Southern Corporation announced Wednesday its first quarter 2023 financial results. For the quarter, income from railway operations was $711 million, and diluted earnings per share were $2.04 – down by 34% and 30%, respectively, compared to the first quarter 2022.
April 26, 2023
CPKC Reports First-Quarter Results
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) today announced its first-quarter results, including revenues of $2.27 billion, operating ratio (“OR”) of 63.4 percent, adjusted OR1 of 62.9 percent, diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $0.86 and core adjusted diluted EPS1 of $0.90.
April 26, 2023
Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending April 22, 2023
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending April 22, 2023. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 480,457 carloads and intermodal units, down 3.5 percent compared with the same week last year.
April 25, 2023
Alstom to Supply 34 Citadis Trams and Maintenance for Quebec City, Canada
Quebec City will benefit from a proven and reliable mobility solution developed and assembled in Quebec. The trams will be developed by Alstom engineers based in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville –Alstom’s headquarters in the Americas located on the south shore of Montreal– and will be assembled at its La Pocatière plant in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. The trams will be adapted to the climatic and topographical conditions of Quebec City.
