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More than one year after the U.S. Justice Department filed a civil complaint in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia alleging that Norfolk Southern “delays passenger trains on Amtrak’s Crescent route in violation of federal law” by failing to give Amtrak trains preference over freight trains, the Department announced it had reached a “settlement” with NS and “has moved to dismiss its lawsuit.”

According to the complaint filed on July 30, 2024, federal law requires all rail carriers that contract with Amtrak to provide Amtrak passenger trains preference over freight trains. The complaint alleged that NS “regularly failed to do so, leading to widespread delays to train passengers,” DOJ said. Since the complaint was filed, “passengers traveling on the Crescent route have experienced widespread improvements,” DOJ added. “From 2024 to 2025, the number of delay minutes incurred by Amtrak’s Crescent trains has declined by 53%.”

“Thanks to our collaborative relationship with Amtrak and our state partners, Norfolk Southern has taken a leading role in the industry to expand passenger rail service,” said a Norfolk Southern spokesperson to Railway Age Capitol Hill Contributing Editor Frank N. Wilner for a July 31, 2024 commentary. “We are committed to complying with the law, working together, and honoring our commitments. Over the past several months with Amtrak, we have focused on the on-time performance of the Crescent passenger train. We hope to resolve these concerns and continue to make progress together.”

NS “agreed to provide all Amtrak trains the highest priority; train its employees to give priority to Amtrak trains; require supervisor approval for any dispatching decision that does not give priority to Amtrak trains in non-emergency situations; and provide records regarding delays suffered by Amtrak trains traveling on the Crescent controlled by Norfolk Southern,” DOJ said. “Norfolk Southern has also pledged to assist the Justice Department in determining the root cause of any delays to Amtrak Crescent route trains. Norfolk Southern’s Vice President of Compliance will annually certify that Norfolk Southern is in compliance with the agreement and its obligations under the law to provide Amtrak trains preference.”

Amtrak’s Crescent route traverses 1,377 route-miles and stops at 33 cities and towns connecting rural areas in Virgina, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana with each other and larger cities. NS controls 1,140 miles (82.8%) of the Crescent route including dispatching for all trains, freight and passenger. Approximately 304,000 passengers traveled on the Crescent route in 2024 and year-over-year ridership has increased so far in 2025.

“Amtrak appreciates the U.S. Department of Justice’s pursuit of this case and its efforts to reach a productive resolution with Norfolk Southern,” Amtrak said in a statement. “Since the case was filed, Amtrak’s performance on NS-hosted routes has shown measurable improvement. On the Crescent route alone, NS-related delays are down 34% year-over-year, with Freight Train Interference (FTI) reduced by 53%. Across all NS-hosted routes, delays decreased 26% and FTI dropped 42% year-over-year. Ridership on these routes also rose by 2%, reflecting growing customer confidence in service reliability. Amtrak appreciates NS’s concrete steps to improve performance under its DOJ agreement. We remain committed to working together to deliver a better experience for our passengers.”

The post USDOJ Stops Hitting NS with Crescent Wrench appeared first on Railway Age.

Since its launch in 2018, CSX’s Pride in Service is said to have engaged tens of thousands of employees and community members in service projects, donations, and volunteer opportunities that benefit military families, veterans, and first responders. “By partnering with organizations such as First Responders Children’s Foundation and Operation Gratitude, CSX ensures that its resources reach those who need them most while creating opportunities for employees to give back,” according to the Class I.

CSX reported that its Pride in Service initiatives and events from the past six months include: 

• “Battalion Buddy Brigade – CSX partnered with Operation Gratitude to assemble 3,500 stuffed ‘Battalion Buddy’ teddy bears for children of deployed U.S. service members. Employees at CSX headquarters and across the network hand-stuffed and dressed the bears, which provide comfort to military children while their parents serve. CSX has committed to assembling 13,000 Battalion Buddies this year, making it Operation Gratitude’s largest corporate partner for the initiative. 
• “Care Packages for First Responders – At CSX headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla., more than 150 employees joined Operation Gratitude to prepare 2,000 care packages filled with snacks, hygiene items and handwritten notes of thanks. The packages were distributed to local law enforcement and fire departments, including the CSX railroad police, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and St. Johns County Fire Rescue. 
• “National Night Out – CSX teamed with the First Responders Children’s Foundation to donate thousands of toys that were distributed at more than 50 National Night Out events across the country. The toys brought joy to the children and families while strengthening the bonds between first responders and the communities they serve. 
• “First Responder Family Appreciation Day – CSX and First Responders Children’s Foundation honored 500 Jacksonville-area first responders and their families with a day of fun at Flight Adventure Park. Families enjoyed trampoline jumping, face painting, crafts, toy giveaways, outdoor games and food from Mission BBQ. Operation Gratitude also provided care packages to first responders, making the event a true celebration of service, sacrifice and community. 
• “Scholarships for Children of First Responders – In partnership with First Responders Children’s Foundation, CSX awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships to 211 students nationwide, including 10 recipients of the CSX Pride in Service Scholarship. Since 2018, the partnership has provided over $750,000 in scholarships to children of first responders, helping them pursue higher education and career dreams.”

Meanwhile, the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, in partnership with CSX, report that they “will bring history to life with the first ever immersive reenactment of the Great Locomotive Chase” on Sept. 30, officially kicking off the 2025 Medal of Honor Celebration in Chattanooga, Tenn. The reenactment, sponsored by the Gary W. Rollins Foundation, will have nearly 20 Medal of Honor Recipients and other invited guests travel on a special CSX train that will run on the famed Western & Atlantic Railroad line from Atlanta, Ga., to Chattanooga, where they will attend the 2025 Medal of Honor Celebration.

In partnership with the Atlanta History Center, the Southern Museum and the City of Ringgold, Ga., the 2025 Medal of Honor Celebration will host this event, retracing what is said to be “the daring path of the Andrews’ Raid,” more popularly known as the Great Locomotive Chase. On April 12, 1862, civilian scout James J. Andrews, along with one civilian accomplice and 22 Union volunteers from three Ohio infantry regiments, masqueraded in civilian attire to covertly board a train—the General—at Marietta, Ga. Their mission: seize the locomotive of the General near Big Shanty (present-day Kennesaw), then steam north toward Chattanooga, systematically sabotaging railroad tracks, bridges, and telegraph lines to disrupt Confederate supply routes.

“The Great Locomotive Chase is more than a Civil War story; it’s a defining moment in American military history and established Chattanooga as the birthplace of the Medal of Honor,” the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center reported. “The audacious raid, spanning roughly 87 miles over seven hours, evoked an epic chase. Pursued relentlessly by Confederate conductor William Fuller—who switched between several chasing locomotives including the Texas, which is now located at the Atlanta History Center. The Raiders’ plans unraveled when the General—which is now located at the Southern Museum—ran out of steam just outside of Chattanooga near Ringgold, Ga. The men scattered but were eventually captured. Eight of the captured participants—including James J. Andrews and seven others—were tried as spies and executed in Atlanta and later reinterned in Chattanooga at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. The rest endured imprisonment: some escaped, while others were later released in a prisoner exchange.

“Despite its tactical failure, the raid left an enduring legacy: six of the raiders received the very first Medals of Honor on March 25, 1863, and over time, 21 of the 24 participants would be awarded the Medal of Honor—including two (Privates Philip G. Shadrach and George D. Wilson) who were posthumously recognized on July 3, 2024, by President Joe Biden.”

“This reenactment is more than a commemoration; it’s a living tribute to the courage, and commitment of the first Medal of Honor Recipients,” said Tom Mundell, President and CEO of the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. “We are grateful to our partners and sponsors, especially CSX, for helping us preserve this historic Medal of Honor action and historical event in such a powerful and immersive way.”

Presented by Textile Rubber & Chemical Company, the 2025 Medal of Honor Celebration will take place Sept. 29-Oct. 4, featuring a variety of public and private events. The week will conclude with the Patriot Awards Gala on Oct. 4, at the Chattanooga Convention Center, where four Americans will be honored for exemplifying the Medal of Honor’s values.

The 2025 Medal of Honor Celebration is also sponsored by the Gary W. Rollins Foundation, the Gary Sinise Foundation, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, American Airlines, CSX, the Robert Irvine Foundation, the Jack and Charlotte Frost Family Foundation, the Frank P. Pierce Foundation, Unum, Texas A&M University, AM General, Decosimo Family Partners, Erlanger Hospital, Fed-Ex, Food City, Miller Industries, Realized Solutions, Tennessee Valley Authority, the Kennedy Family Foundation and PenFed Foundation For Military Heroes and The Raines Group.

“A big supply chain salute to Greenergy and the Port of/de Belledune [BPA] on the signing of your long-term lease agreement [for a tank facility at the Port’s deep-water import terminal in northern New Brunswick],” CN reported via social media on Sept. 10. “This collaboration marks an important step in strengthening Atlantic Canada’s energy supply chain, enabling reliable fuel movement while supporting regional economies and communities. With our network, CN connects dock to tracks and beyond, powering efficient logistics in support of sustainable growth.”

According to BPA, the investment expands Greenergy’s Canadian terminal network; enhances reliable fuel supply and security; creates jobs and contracting opportunities in partnership with Pabineau First Nation and Eel River Bar First Nation; and supports the growth of the BPA’s Green Energy Hub.

“We are excited about Greenergy entering the Port of Belledune,” Pabineau First Nation Chief Terry Richardson said. “It brings jobs to the region and ensures the future of the port through in-out business. We’ve talked with Greenergy and First Nations and see opportunity for our communities through contracting and jobs. If we are to bring prosperity back to the region we must do it one project at a time.”

“Our investment in Belledune strengthens our import capability and creates additional capacity where it is needed,” noted Mike Healy, Greenergy Managing Director-North America. “We utilize our global supply chains to offer our customers reliable supply of traditional and renewable fuel solutions.”

“We welcome Greenergy to the Port of Belledune,” BPA President and CEO Denis D. Caron said. “Their investment supports our ambitions for growth of our core operations with a view to green and clean development. Their expertise in ensuring reliable fuel supply, coupled with their desire to be community minded aligns perfectly with the Port’s core values.”

“CN is proud to enable this new supply of energy to Canadian markets,” CN Interim Chief Commercial Officer Janet Drysdale said. “Today’s [Sept. 10] announcement allows us to add service plans that unlock new competitive options for shippers and will ultimately help move more goods in and out of Atlantic Canada by rail.”

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New Jersey Transit has exercised options worth $1.26 billion with Alstom Transportation Inc. for an additional 200 powered and non-powered Multilevel III (MLIII) commuter railcars and 12 ALP45-DP (dual-power, diesel/catenary-electric) locomotives.

The $1.06 billion MLIII option increases NJT’s number of these cars to 374. Approximately one-third of the fleet are MLPCs (Multilevel Power Cars) that operate off AC catenary and eliminate the need for a locomotive. For example, a 12-car MLIII trainset will typically consist of four MLPCs, six non-powered trailer cars and two non-powered cab cars (providing redundancy and improving reliability if one of the power cars malfunctions. The Multilevel design, developed originally by Bombardier Transportation (which Alstom acquired in 2021) are part of Alstom’s Adessia commuter rail portfolio. These cars will replace NJT’s older Comet II, IV and V single-level cars. The agency’s contract has a remaining option for 50 more MLIIIs, which may be purchased at a later date. 

The additional 12 ALP45-DPs, at a cost of $203.9 million (plus 10% for contingencies) will replace some of NJT’s older diesel-electric locomotives. This option expands NJT’s fleet to 72. Like the Multilevel, Bombardier Transportation originally developed the ALP45-DP, now part of Alstom’s Traxx Passenger locomotive portfolio. 

The post NJT Exercises MLIII, ALP45-DP Alstom Options appeared first on Railway Age.

The company, which provides specialized rail operating services and owns a network of multi-purpose rail terminals, developed the switcher through its Li-Ion (Lithium-Ion) 2025 project. The project involved retrofitting a legacy, non-tier-compliant diesel-electric locomotive with a lithium-ion battery propulsion system.

Cando selected nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries. “Although this style of battery has a lower energy density compared to other Li-Ion batteries, they provide many advantages over more energy intense battery chemistries,” it reported. “These advantages include thermal runaway protection, packaging that prevents self-ignition, and firefighting measures that can be accomplished using standard Class ABC extinguishers. The selected batteries also mitigate the need for specialized training, equipment, or additional measures to protect operators, first responders, or the public in the event of a failure or fire.”

The new locomotive, noted Cando, was “purpose-built” for industrial and closed-loop switching operations; eliminates harmful emissions; reduces noise; and supports Canada’s net-zero climate goals. According to the company, it is expected to cut up to 470 tons of CO₂e per year and decrease energy costs by 60% and maintenance needs by 40%. CTV, which attended the unveiling event, reported that the new locomotive “was operationalized in Manitoba to withstand minus 40 C weather” and its range is load dependent. Its charging station was installed in January (pictured below).

The Government of Alberta in 2023 contributed C$2 million to the project, which was estimated to cost C$4 million, through Emissions Reduction Alberta’s (ERA) Industrial Transformation Challenge.

Phase 1 of field testing was completed in Winnipeg earlier this year, according to Cando, which reported it will continue to test the switcher at Southlands Terminal “and finalize commercialization plans in early 2026.” It noted that the retrofit model “offers a viable transition path for Canada’s fleet of industrial locomotives, including more than 2,000 switchers currently in operation.”

Cando has a fleet of 110 diesel-electric locomotives, “but over the next few decades said the plan is to swap them out” with the new units, according to CTV. Additionally, Cando’s aim is “to have a manufacturing plant in Alberta to help develop a fleet of battery-operated locomotives in the next five to ten years,” CTC reported.

“This project reflects our continued commitment to safety, innovation and environmental leadership,” Cando Chief Operating Officer Paul Duncan said. “By investing in battery-powered technology, we will be reducing emissions in our operations while creating a scalable solution for cold weather climates that can transform industrial rail switching operations across our network.”

Meanwhile, the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) on Sept. 10 reported reaching financial close on a C$100 million loan to Cando to double the capacity of its CN-served Sturgeon Terminal, which is an Alberta-based multi-purpose rail hub. Cando announced the expansion project in 2024.

The facility, which opened in 2020 and currently operates at capacity, provides storage and staging, haulage, and transloading services to support the transport of Canadian-made goods for export east and west and onward to global markets, according to CIB.

The new Sturgeon West Terminal will add up to 3,700 new railcar storage and staging spaces.

CIB reported that Cando anticipates the terminal will create up to 50 new full-time local jobs once operational, on top of 60 existing jobs, and contribute C$22.3 million annually to the region’s GDP. Terminal construction is under way, with operations expected to begin in late 2026.

“Expansion of the Sturgeon Terminal opens up more opportunities for Alberta businesses to connect their products to global markets,” CIB CEO Ehren Cory said. “Building this infrastructure will create local jobs, help keep the Western Canadian economy competitive, and expands supply chain capacity well into the future.”

“As Cando Rail & Terminals works to expand capacity at our rail terminal in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland, support from partners such as the CIB enables us to provide access to increased transportation and logistics solutions to our customers at an accelerated pace,” added Brian Cornick, President and CEO of Cando. “The majority of the value-added products produced in the Heartland are shipped to national and global consumers by rail. Cando’s investment, combined with the financing from the CIB will increase market access and allow industrial facilities in the Heartland to concentrate on their core business. World-class rail infrastructure will further enhance the competitiveness of Sturgeon County and Alberta’s Industrial Heartland for petrochemical, downstream energy, and heavy industrial investment.”

• Cando Rail & Terminals Jump-Starts Battery Loco Project
• SNR Debuts HFC ZE Switcher
• IRT, Forsee Power Team on Switcher Retrofit
• Cummins Exhibits Switcher Power Module at Railway Interchange
• Cando Launches Alberta Rail Terminal
• Cando Adds 13th Rail Terminal
• Cando Adds 12th Rail Terminal

The post First Look: Cando Rail & Terminals’ Battery-Electric Switcher appeared first on Railway Age.

This past August, Caltrain had more than one million passengers, a 67% increase over August 2024. As Caltrain approaches the first anniversary of the launch of electric service, the agency says it continues to show strong ridership growth.

Caltrain had more than 1.07 million passengers last month, a substantial increase from approximately 643,000 in August of last year. Average weekday ridership stood at just under 40,000, a 61.5% increase from last August. Weekend ridership has been up since the launch of electrification “thanks to Caltrain’s half hourly weekend service,” but reached an all-time record in August with Saturdays seeing nearly 26,000 daily riders, while Sundays saw nearly 21,000 daily riders, both having more than doubled since last August.

“Caltrain is running the best service this corridor has ever seen, and our riders are taking advantage of it,” said Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard. “Eleven months of ridership growth is proof of the many benefits of fast, frequent, and reliable service. Every day, our service is reducing traffic, improving air quality and helping people get where they need to go.”

The New York MTA on Sept. 10 announced that subway crime fell to record lows this summer. Overall transit crime from June 1 to Aug. 31 was down nearly 10% from 2024 and 16.8% from the summer of 2019.

Year-to-date, transit crime is at record lows, while subway ridership is up 9%, with more than 311 million rides taken during the summer months. Transit felony assaults have been down every month this summer when compared to 2024. Together, June, July and August have had 119 felony assaults—compared to 150 last year—a reduction of 21%. There were 0.38 assaults per one million subway riders between June 1 and Aug. 31. Accounting for increases in ridership, there were 1.59 major crimes per one million subway rides this summer, down 30% from 2022 and in line with pre-pandemic lows.

According to NYPD statistics, July and August have been especially safe months, with new data confirming both were the safest July and August in history. Overall transit crime was down 22.8% this August compared to 2024, and felony assaults were down 40.4% compared to last year. Robberies were down 34% in the subway system in August compared to 2024.

This historic reduction in crime, MTA says, follows a series of investments in subway safety led by Governor Hochul. In January, Gov. Kathy Hochul allocated $77 million in state funding to support a first-of-its-kind collaboration with the NYPD to deploy officers on board subway trains during overnight hours. This deployment, the agency says, “provides peace of mind to riders and a deterrent to those who would commit crime in the system during overnight hours.” During this deployment, two NYPD officers patrol a subway train, moving from car to car during a train’s journey.

There has also been progress made responding to mental health challenges in the subway. Subway Co-Response Outreach Teams (SCOUT) pair mental health clinicians with MTA police officers, to provide a clinician-led approach to individuals with serious mental health needs in the subway. To date, SCOUT teams have made more than 750 referrals out of the subway system, and collectively, these patients have spent more than 2,000 nights in treatment, getting the help they need, according to the agency. Directed by Gov. Hochul, the MTA has now fully operationalized 10 SCOUT teams, with services provided throughout the subway system in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan.

Investments in transit safety include:

• Provided $77 million to partner with the NYPD to deploy two officers on every overnight train.
• $20 million to fully fund 10 SCOUT teams to provide a clinician-first response to mental health challenges in the subway.
• Placed 32,000 security cameras in the New York City Subway system—including more than 17,000 on all 6,000 subway cars and more than 15,000 in subway stations.
• Added new platform barriers at 74 subway stations, with the MTA on pace for 100 by the end of 2025.
• Installed brighter LED lights in more than 300 subway stations, on pace for all 472 by the end of 2025.
• Established two Transition to Home Units (THUs) at Manhattan Psychiatric Center, creating 50 beds to support homeless individuals with severe mental illness.
• Improved coordination between Law Enforcement and District Attorneys via a new MTA Criminal Justice Advocate.
• Installed cameras in the conductor cabs of subway trains to keep MTA employees safe. To date, the MTA has installed cameras in more than 1,100 conductor cabs.

“The subway is safer today than before the pandemic and we all know why: more cops, more security cameras, and more mental health outreach. These interventions and others—funded and supported by Gov. Hochul—have us on track for a third straight year of declining crime,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Sept. 10 that the state “would work with struggling Bay Area transit systems on short-term financial help to keep them afloat while talks on a $750 million loan from the state continue,” according to a CBS News report.

In a press release on Wednesday, Newsom said the transit assistance would be in the “hundreds of millions of dollars” and that the Department of Finance and the California State Transportation Agency “would work with transit agencies and regional partners to design structured loans or financing mechanisms,” according to the report.

Newsom’s statement hinted that the state is “seeking a measure of oversight on how the funds are spent and how the loans would be repaid,” saying that the financing would “align with operational needs, protect service, and support fiscal reforms, with clear and reliable repayment plans,” CBS News reported.

According to the report, earlier this week, state Senators Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Jesse Arreguín (D-Berkeley) said the Department of Finance informed them that “it would not finalize the details of the previously announced $750 million bridge loan for transit agencies before the end of the legislative session on Friday.” Without the funding, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), AC Transit and Caltrain were each looking at massive cuts in service, CBS News reported.

On Tuesday, officials said the talks on the state’s financial assistance loan were extended until Jan. 10, 2026, according to the report.

“Transit is a lifeline to millions of Californians—and after billions in state investment, we’re continuing to back Bay Area agencies with ongoing support tailored to their needs,” said Newsom in a prepared statement. “We’ll keep partnering with them now and into next year—aligning flexible financing tools to their timelines—so we can deliver a sustainable, rider-first transit system together.”

According to the CBS News report, the details of the “loans or other mechanisms” announced by Newsom were not immediately available. The Governor’s Office said the administration “will continue to evaluate options to ensure assistance remains responsive to agencies’ stated needs and strengthens the long-term financial stability of Bay Area transit.”

A spokesman for the Governor’s Office told CBS News Bay Area that the “ongoing discussions would determine the specific amount and mechanism,” according to the report.

Arreguín and Wiener, CBS News reports, “have authored a ballot measure, State Senate Bill 63, that is designed to provide a long-term funding source for Bay Area transit agencies facing a ‘fiscal cliff’ following the pandemic and the end of pandemic relief funding. SB 63 would authorize a regional sales tax in Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Francisco counties and allow Santa Clara and San Mateo and to opt in.”

The half-cent tax increase, according to the report, “would generate hundreds of millions of dollars annually to support transit systems’ operating needs. San Francisco would have the option to seek a higher rate, up to one cent, for additional support for the Muni system.”

The post Transit Briefs: Caltrain, NYMTA, Bay Area Transit Systems appeared first on Railway Age.

For decades, rail has remained the last major mode of freight to embrace digitization, Standard Rail noted. “While trucking, ocean, and air cargo have moved into digital platforms, rail has continued to operate through phone calls, personal connections, and opaque pricing—leaving shippers waiting weeks for answers and facilities struggling to showcase their capabilities.”

“SIDINGS brings a level of radical transparency rail has never seen before,” said Standard Rail Corporation CEO Robert Skarzynski. “For rail users, it’s a dramatic improvement in experience—no more wasted weeks chasing information or guessing at capacity. For facilities and service providers, it’s a chance to be visible and win business on service. This is the clarity the industry has been missing.”

Advantages include:

• “For Facilities and Service Providers: Centralized listing management, automated inquiry handling, and tools to unlock new revenue.
• “For Shippers & Logistics Companies: Real-time visibility into services, availability, and pricing across the network.
• “For the Industry: Equal exposure, actionable market intelligence, and a transparent playing field.”

At the enterprise level, the platform’s FastTrack feature reduces booking timelines by up to 95%, turning what once took weeks into minutes for qualified facilities, according to the company.

• “Shippers finally gain clarity and speed in accessing rail services.
• “Facilities and service providers gain visibility and reach beyond existing networks.
• “The industry gains the data-driven insights and transparency it has lacked for decades.”

Beyond discovery, SIDINGS “enables direct communication between shippers, facilities and service providers—building a connected industry network that grows stronger with every new participant,” Standard Rail said.

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Norfolk Southern’s Intermodal and Automotive business units recently announced upgrades to four terminals in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania that support “capacity, efficiency, and customer demand.” These projects are “strategic moves” designed to “bring more business to our railroad while helping to reduce highway congestion and truck carbon emissions.”

Livernois, Mich. (Detroit): NS said it has implemented layout and process changes “that streamline intermodal operations.” These include gate flow adjustments, container stacking improvements, and better integration with yard management systems resulting in “faster processing times and a more seamless experience for customers and drivers alike.”

Harrisburg, Pa.: NS’s Engineering and Transportation groups completed a track realignment project “that has significantly improved switching operations,” redesigning the layout, reducing congestion and improving train flow, allowing for faster turnarounds and better service reliability.” The collaboration “is delivering measurable improvements already being seen in dwell time and throughput.”

Toledo, Ohio: This automotive terminal has seen a doubling of throughput thanks to targeted infrastructure upgrades. These include expanded loading and unloading zones, improved lighting and signage, and better coordination with local drayage partners. “The enhancements have positioned Toledo as a more competitive option for OEMs looking to move volume through the Midwest,” NS noted.

Melvindale, Mich.: NS repurposed the terminal space to expand automotive operations. Phase One was completed in Q1 2025, adding more than 300 VIN parking spaces. The Intermodal and Commercial and Government Relations teams partnered to leverage a multi-million-dollar grant secured through Michigan groups support. A second phase is under way to add approximately 1,000 more VIN spaces. “OEMs  have a strong need to ship to this market area,” said Janea Parr, Senior Director Terminal Operations. “This expansion allows our Commercial team to pursue new business and meet growing demand.”

“Each of these efforts reflects our strong cross-functional collaboration—from Commercial identifying market needs to Operations executing solutions, to Government Relations securing funding,” NS said. “Together, we’re delivering results and positioning NS for continued growth.”

The post For NS, Four ‘Strategic Moves’ appeared first on Railway Age.

POTUS 47 has nominated Republican Richard Kloster to fill a vacant seat at the Surface Transportation Board (STB) and renominated Republican Michelle A. Schultz to a second term. The Sept. 11 nominations require Senate confirmation beginning with a Senate Commerce Committee hearing and ending with a Senate floor vote.

If confirmed, Kloster would fill a seat vacant since the May 2024 retirement of Democrat Martin J. Oberman and expiring Dec. 31, 2028. Schultz’ second term would expire Nov. 30, 2030. By statute, STB members may serve only two terms for a maximum of five years each, although they may remain a maximum of 12 months beyond term expiration if a successor has not been Senate-confirmed.

As a Democratic seat on the five-person STB remains vacant following POTUS 47’s controversial firing of Robert E. Primus in August, it is likely that Senate Democrats will seek to slow the process for Republicans Schultz and Kloster. Typically, Republican and Democratic nominees are paired for Senate floor vote confirmations, and the pairings are not necessarily nominees for the same agency. This is not a typical situation, given Primus’ firing amidst near unprecedented congressional political wrangling and firings of other independent regulatory agency Democrats by the Republican President.

The STB is five-member independent regulatory agency with its chairperson (currently Republican Patrick J. Fuchs, 36) named by the President from among sitting STB members. The STB’s political majority matches that of the President’s party. That explains why Republican Kloster was nominated to fill Democrat Oberman’s vacant seat.

The STB’s fifth seat is held by Democrat Karen J. Hedlund, 76, whose first term expires Dec. 31. If not renominated to a second term, she could remain until Dec. 31, 2026. Unanswered questions are whether federal courts will find Primus’ firing unlawful and return him to a second term that expires Dec. 31, 2027 (Primus, age 55, having said he will contest the firing); and whether POTUS 47 will renominate Hedlund to a second term or choose another Democrat.

Significantly, there is no quorum requirement at the STB, meaning—and this previously occurred twice—the STB could function as a single-member agency. With a headline-grabbing merger (Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern) expected (formal applications may not be filed until Oct. 29), both the political composition of the STB and its number of filled seats is consequential.

If the STB accepts a formal merger application, it would have until February 2026 to do so, and the decision as to allowing or denying the merger would not occur until at least early 2027. Fuchs’ second term expires Jan. 14, 2029; and the currently vacant Primus seat expires Dec. 31, 2027.

Kloster, 67, is president and founder of rail equipment consultancy Integrity Rail Partners, Inc. He has an extensive career in rail fleet management as well as experience with Class I and short line railroads. He is an executive board member of the National Industrial Transportation League and sits on the board of the Railway Supply Institute. Kloster earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Northern Illinois University and the University of Alabama in marketing.

Kloster told Railway Age in July—when it was learned he was being considered for nomination—that his strength is “considerable time” over his career working with railroads and shippers. Kloster began his railroad career with Chicago & North Western Railway (now part of Union Pacific) in October 1980, which he recalls was the same week President Jimmy Carter signed into law the Staggers Rail Act that delivered partial economic deregulation to railroads. His first job, he says, was a “car department apprentice.” 

Schultz, 53, nominated to her first term by POTUS 45 and sworn-in on Jan. 11, 2021, previously was general counsel to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), where she also was director of legislative affairs. She earned an undergraduate degree from Penn State, a master’s degree in government administration from the University of Pennsylvania and a juris doctor degree from Widener University Law School.

The POTUS 47 nomination of David A. Fink as Federal Railroad Administrator still awaits a Senate floor confirmation vote following a May 21, 2025, positive referral by the Senate Commerce Committee.

The post Kloster, Schultz Chosen for STB by POTUS 47 appeared first on Railway Age.

This is the largest guaranteed infusion of funding for the California high-speed rail program to date, according to CHSRA.

“I am grateful to Governor [Gavin] Newsom, our legislative leaders, and allies across the State and the Nation—including those in the labor community—whose partnership and resolve helped make this possible,” CHSRA CEO Ian Choudri said. “Today’s [Sept. 10] agreement has made a big, bold statement about California’s future—one that will create jobs, cut pollution, and connect and transform communities across the state.

“This funding agreement resolves all identified funding gaps for the [the 171-mile] Early Operating Segment [between Merced and Bakersfield] in the Central Valley [see map below] and opens the door for meaningful public-private engagement with the program. As we move forward, I am greatly encouraged by commitments to continue productive discussions with the Administration and the Legislature to put in place statutory and regulatory enhancements that accelerate construction and give greater certainty on time and schedule for segment delivery. And we must also work toward securing the long-term funding—beyond today’s commitment—that can bring high-speed rail to California’s population centers, where ridership and revenue growth will in turn support future expansions.”

CHSRA last month issued a supplemental project update report, outlining what it called “a clear path forward to connect the high-speed rail system to Northern and Southern California via the Central Valley by 2039.” It estimated that the early operating segment would cost $36.75 billion.

In that 112-page update report, the Authority said that it has “$28.16 billion in capital funding, which includes an estimated $5.5 billion from Cap-and-Invest through 2030 and retention of federally awarded funds.” Additionally, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Fiscal Year 2025 to 2026 budget proposal “includes extending the Cap-and-Invest program through 2045 with at least $1.0 billion in annual funding for the Authority,” it reported. “This would provide at least $15 billion in additional funding for the program, bringing the Authority’s total capital funding to $43.16 billion … For purposes of this report, the Authority included the $4.0 billion in federal funding, currently the subject of litigation, as part of its total capital funding figures.”

The Federal Railroad Administration in July announced that it would pull back funding. The FRA’s decision followed the release of its Compliance Review Report, which found the CHSRA project to be “in default” of the terms of two federal grants. CHSRA is now suing the POTUS 47 Administration.

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