Prototype News

Metro Transit The map shows the route of the METRO Green Line Extension from SouthWest Station in Eden Prairie to Target Field Station in Minneapolis, where the line will continue east as the METRO Green Line and also connect to the METRO Blue Line and local bus routes. (Map Courtesy of the Met Council)

The first light rail trains are now rolling on the METRO Green Line Extension, marking a milestone for the project that has already catalyzed $3.1 billion in new development across five Twin Cities communities, according to Metro Transit, which operates under the Metropolitan Council to provide an integrated network of buses, light rail and microtransit.

Civil construction on the 14.5-mile extension connecting Target Field in downtown Minneapolis to Eden Prairie is 95% complete, Metro Transit reported Oct. 23, and has entered the track, signal, and systems testing phase. Testing will continue through 2026, with service expected to begin in 2027.

The extension will serve 16 stations across Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie, connecting the southwest metro to the region’s existing light rail network (see map, top).

According to Metro Transit, the corridor is experiencing unprecedented growth, with $3.1 billion in housing, retail, and entertainment projects already built, under construction, or permitted, and another $700 million in new investment being planned by developers.

“Projects like the METRO Green Line Extension are smart investments in our region’s future,” Met Council Interim Chair Deb Barber said. “They connect homes to businesses, schools to hospitals, and communities to opportunities—and those connections attract even more investment. The numbers tell the story: Land near METRO transit projects represents just 2% of taxable property in the region yet generates 20% of our property tax revenue.”

“Light rail projects like the Green Line Extension are essential to our region and state’s economic growth and environmental resiliency,” added Hennepin County Commissioner Marion Greene. “They will connect generations of people and businesses to opportunities to build wealth and stability. The burden of car ownership is becoming more costly for residents and our environment. Light rail is a reliable, affordable, and environmentally sound transportation option that provides an undeniable return on investment. Generational investments like the Green Line Extension will pay dividends for decades to come, fueling our regional economy, reducing congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, and bolstering our state for the future.”

Metro Transit reported that each city along the corridor is experiencing significant development spurred by the transit investment:   

• Eden Prairie – $560 million in new development.

• 1,000 new multi-family units, including 140 affordable units. 
• $316 million in commercial development. 
• $36 million in industrial projects. 

 • Minnetonka – More than $373 million in new development. 

• 1,700 new multi-family housing units, including 530 affordable units.  
• $92 million in commercial development. 
• $14 million in industrial investment. 

• Hopkins – More than $329 million in new development. 

• 1,300 new multi-family housing units, including 260 affordable units.
• $27 million in commercial development. 
• $9 million in industrial investment. 

 • St. Louis Park – More than $497 million in new development. 

• 1,500 new multi-family housing units, including 290 affordable units. 
• $48 million in commercial development. 
• $24 million in industrial investment. 
• $170 million in public and institutional projects. 

 • Minneapolis – $1.37 billion in new development.

• Over 3,800 new multi-family housing units, including 660 affordable units. 
• $477 million in commercial development. 
• $28 million in industrial development .

“The Green Line Extension caps a transformative year for the region’s METRO system,” Metro Transit reported. “In 2025, the METRO Gold Line launched in the east metro, connecting St. Paul to Woodbury, and the METRO B Line began serving the corridor between South Minneapolis and Downtown St. Paul. Before year’s end, the METRO E Line will launch, linking the University of Minnesota to Edina.”

Sound Transit (Courtesy of Sound Transit) (Courtesy of Sound Transit)

The Federal Way Link Extension is in the home stretch, Sound Transit reported Oct. 24. Simulated service for the light rail project is under way south of Angle Lake to the Federal Way Downtown Station, stopping at Kent Des Moines and Star Lake stations along the way. This testing will ensure that stations, tracks, utilities, escalators, elevators, systems, and vehicles all work together as planned prior to opening day on Dec. 6.

The 7.8-mile project extends Sound Transit’s regional light rail system via mostly elevated tracks between SeaTac and Federal Way. It includes three new stations in Kent Des Moines near Highline College, Star Lake, and Downtown Federal Way. These stations will connect to other regional transit services like ST Express, King County Metro, and Pierce Transit. By design, the stations will support transfers between Link light rail and buses.

After the 1 Line extension Federal Way opens and after the World Cup in 2026, ST Express bus service will change to incorporate the new light rail stations.

Metrolinx Finch West LRT vehicle during a revenue service demonstration along Finch Avenue West. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of the Ontario Government)

The Revenue Service Demonstration (RSD) for the Finch West Light Rail Transit (LRT) has finished, the Ontario government reported Oct. 23. With the final 30-day “dry run” complete, it said, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) will assume full operational control of the line no later than Nov. 3, 2025, with an opening date to be determined by the TTC as it trains staff and prepares to launch the new light rail service for the public.

The line, also known as Line 6 Finch West, includes two stations and 16 stops and will move more than 51,000 riders each weekday, with 12 million annual trips expected by 2031. It runs on a dedicated, primarily street-level track, providing transit to communities along Finch Avenue West from Finch West Station—an interchange with TTC Line 1—and across the Greater Toronto Area to Humber Polytechnic’s North Campus (see map below). Major construction, including all stations and stops for the Finch West LRT, wrapped up in fall 2024.

(Courtesy of Metrolinx)

Once open to the public, Line 6 Finch West will offer connections to local and regional transit, including TTC buses, GO Transit, MiWay, York Region Transit and Brampton Züm.

“We are excited that the Finch West LRT’s revenue service demonstration (RSD) has successfully passed,” Metrolinx President and CEO Michael Lindsay said. “This is a significant milestone for the project, which brings it closer to an opening date that will benefit the 51,000 daily riders expected to use the line. The TTC is to define a first day of service in the next few days.”

The Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (ECLRT) is currently undergoing its own RSD, according to the government, noting that when that RSD is complete, the ECLRT will also be turned over to the TTC in preparation for the launch of passenger service.

“In response to the delays surrounding the construction of the ECLRT, which began construction under the previous government in 2011, the current government has made a number of changes to cut red tape, speed up and bring predictability to the construction of transit projects, including the Finch West LRT, which began construction in 2019,” the Ontario government reported. “These changes, which are helping the government deliver the largest expansion of public transit in North America, include: using simpler, proven signal and power systems from other LRT projects to reduce design complexity and technical risk, making delivery, testing and commissioning smoother; working collaboratively with building partners to identify critical funding for testing and commissioning and ensuring claims and legal barriers do not impact this process; and onboarding the maintenance provider earlier in the process to ensure the fleet and line are ready for service sooner.”

The government also reported that on Nov. 16, 2025, it will open the Mount Dennis GO and UP Station, connecting riders to GO Transit’s Kitchener Line and UP Express. In addition, Eglinton West Station will also open its fare-free underground pathway under Eglinton Avenue West, which will reduce congestion at the intersection of Eglinton Avenue West and Allen Road and help pedestrians safely navigate the intersection, the government noted. The ECLRT stations at Mount Dennis and Eglinton West will open to the public along with the rest of the line at a later date, at which point Eglinton West Station will be renamed Cedarvale Station, according to the government.

Metrolink (Courtesy of Metrolink)

Metrolink has expanded its Wireless Crossing Nearside Station Stop (WCNSS) technology to Los Angeles County with implementation this month at two crossings near the Baldwin Park Station, the regional passenger rail provider reported Oct. 23. The new “smart” systems, designed to improve surface traffic flow and safety for pedestrians and drivers near Metrolink stations, went live at rail crossings on either side of the station: Pacific Avenue to the west and Ramona Boulevard to the east.

“Previously, safety gates at the Pacific Avenue crossing would activate more than once when westbound Metrolink San Bernardino Line trains traversed the area, adding to local traffic congestion,” Metrolink said. “Eastbound trains had a similar effect at Ramona Boulevard. The new WCNSS systems address this issue by communicating in real time with Metrolink’s Positive Train Control (PTC) network. They allow the crossing gates to remain idle while trains are approaching or stopped at the station and activate only when they are ready to resume their routes. This reduces delays, easing frustration and enhancing safety for not only train passengers and crews, but also the surrounding community.”

Metrolink first introduced WCNSS technology at an active crossing at Del Obispo Street in Orange County’s San Juan Capistrano in June 2024. In the first year of operation, nearby drivers and pedestrians have been “spared an estimated 1,584 activations and 36 hours of delays,” according to the regional passenger rail operator.

Metrolink has been expanding WCNSS to new locations throughout its 545-mile system. The Pacific Avenue and Ramona Boulevard crossings are the fifth and sixth locations to go live and mark the first appearance of WCNSS in Los Angeles County. So far in 2025, this technology has also been installed at: Juniper Avenue in Fontana (February 2025, San Bernardino County); Columbia Avenue in Riverside (June 2025, Riverside County); and Moorpark Avenue in Moorpark (June 2025, Ventura County).

WCNSS was originally developed for seven rail crossings on Metrolink’s Arrow system, which in 2022 launched three DMUs (Diesel Multiple Units) into service between San Bernardino and Redlands, Calif. Metrolink said it then explored implementing WCNSS at active crossings, identifying priority locations in each county. In total, 52 crossings have been marked for WCNSS upgrades, with work at Sierra Avenue in Fontana expected to be completed during the first half of 2026. The agency said it continues to pursue funding to integrate WCNSS at the remaining sites.

Work near the Baldwin Park Station was supported by a combination of sources, including a Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program grant awarded by the Federal Railroad Administration in 2018.  

“Our investment in ‘smart’ technologies demonstrates how Metrolink is leveraging innovation to shape the future of rail travel in Southern California,” City of Pomona Mayor and Metrolink Board Director Tim Sandoval said. “WCNSS is producing measurable wins for customers and community members, and the results are drawing national attention.”

Further Reading:

• Metrolink to Pilot Track Intrusion Detection
• For Metrolink, More ‘Smart Crossing’ Tech Installations

SEPTA (Courtesy of SEPTA)

The SEPTA Board on Oct. 23 voted to amend the FY26 Capital Budget and FY26 Program of Projects by transferring $394 million of federal, state, and local Capital funds to the Operating Budget.

“PennDOT approved the emergency request last month to help SEPTA avoid service cuts for the next two years,” reported the transit agency. “However, transferring capital funds to support operations requires capital project offsets. As a result, SEPTA will defer the purchase of new buses, the Bristol Regional Rail Station accessibility project, and the construction of a new building at the Frazer Railroad Facility.”

Under this amendment, SEPTA will postpone:

• The purchase of 247 new hybrid diesel-electric buses by three years ($256 million).
• The project designed to bring Bristol Station on the Trenton Line into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act ($46 million).
• The final phase of an expansion to the Frazer Railroad Facility ($39 million).
• The purchase of hydrogen and electric-powered buses for SEPTA’s zero-emission pilot program ($41 million).
• The retrofitting of existing hybrid buses to run exclusively on electric power ($11 million).

SEPTA Map (Courtesy of SEPTA)

These deferred initiatives are on top of the 44 planned infrastructure projects that SEPTA had previously paused to cut $1.8 billion to address a gap between the costs of the work and available funding in the original FY26 Capital Budget, according to the transit agency.

The Capital funds are expected to be available for Operating relief in January 2026, SEPTA said.

“The Board supports these project deferrals because they do not compromise safety by stopping crucial repairs,” SEPTA Board Chair Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr. said. “We also do not want to disrupt projects that are already under way, including the replacement of the Market-Frankford Line [L] and Trolley cars.”

“Using capital funds for operations keeps us moving today, but it pushes those critical investments further down the road,” SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer said. “We stand ready to continue working with leaders in Harrisburg to develop a long-term solution that addresses both our operating needs and the capital investment so critical to our future.”

Further Reading:

• NTSB Recommends Sidelining SEPTA Silverliner IVs
• SEPTA’s Faustian Bargain

STM (Courtesy of STM)

The Canadian Press on Oct. 23 reported that STM, Montreal’s public transit agency, “has asked the provincial government to appoint a mediator to help settle a labour dispute with bus and metro drivers, who are set to join maintenance workers and walk off the job next month.”

According to the national news agency, some 4,500 transit workers “announced they intend to strike on Nov. 1, 15 and 16,” and “about 2,400 maintenance employees who have gone on strike twice since June have announced labour action for most of November.”

STM General Director Marie-Claude Léonard told the media in Montreal that “We’re going to do everything we can to avoid this strike. We’re convinced that the presence of a mediator will get us closer to reaching an agreement.”

The Canadian Press said that the transit agency and maintenance workers have been in mediation since Oct. 7, “but that didn’t stop the union from announcing a third strike, this time from Halloween night until Nov. 28. The members say they will refuse to work overtime and limit bus and metro service outside rush hours, but the full details of the strike have yet to be announced.”

Transit travel was disrupted by maintenance worker strikes in June (nine days) and in late September through early October (two weeks), according to The Canadian Press, which said the transit network logged approximately 1 million trips per day last year.  

“Léonard said talks are stalled because the agency is not willing to make cuts to essential services that she said are inevitable if they were to meet the maintenance union’s salary demands,” the national news agency reported. “‘Cutting services is not an option,’ she said. ‘Right now, the union’s demands at the table would require us to cut 10 per cent of bus service, which is unacceptable.’”

According to The Canadian Press, STM spokesperson Katherine Roux-Groleau “said they contacted Quebec’s labour minister to ask for a mediator as soon as they got word the bus and metro drivers were planning to walk off the job. Their collective agreement expired in January.”

Roux-Groleau said that STM is “still undergoing a negotiation blitz at the moment with the drivers,” according to The Canadian Press. “Several meetings are currently booked, and as soon as the mediator is appointed, (they’ll) be added to those meetings,” she noted.

According to the national news agency report, Frédéric Therrien, who heads the bus and metro drivers union, “said his team is willing to meet with a mediator. The workers decided to strike after more than 50 negotiation sessions with the transit agency, he added.”

The transit agency “needs to cut $100 million over the next three years” and “[a]s a result, the agency must abolish 300 positions,” according to Léonard, The Canadian Press reported.

STM, the news agency said, “decried [in March] a roughly $258-million reduction in provincial funding over three years for the upkeep of the metro system, far from the $585 million it had asked for.”

The post Transit Briefs: Metro Transit, Sound Transit, Metrolinx, Metrolink, SEPTA, STM appeared first on Railway Age.

CN

In CN’s intermodal yards, car mechanics often work close to cranes, sometimes in tight spaces. To reduce risks, the Class I developed the Proximity LifeSaver Device, a wearable system that alerts both mechanics and crane operators in real time when someone is too lose to a danger zone.

The Proximity LifeSaver Devie, which was first tested at CN’s Taschereau Yard in Montreal in 2024 and developed with input from the Class I’s yard teams from day one, is set for broader roll-out across CN.

“Behind this innovation is something stronger: teamwork. Together, our railroaders are building smarter, safer ways to work, because every decision begins with looking out for each other,” CN said in a LinkedIn post.

CPKC

Last week at the Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards in Toronto, the CPKC Geotechnical Engineering team took home two awards celebrating the group’s “innovative work to reduce risk and increase operational safety across the network.”

Tom Bourgonje, Vice President Engineering, and Mehwish Rahman, Director Geotechnical Engineering, accepted the Innovation and Technology Award and the Schreyer Award on behalf of the team. 

“We were pleasantly surprised by the second award, the Schreyer Award, which is the highest honor in Engineering in Canada,” said Mehwish.

(CPKC)

These awards, the Class I says, recognize CPKC’s work with Tetra Tech in creating an advanced waterbody monitoring system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and remote sensing technique (Synthetic Aperture Radar – SAR) through satellite data collection to detect water-related hazards along the CPKC’s rail network.

The system offers near real-time visibility across CPKC’s network, scanning more than 1.2 million waterbodies along more than 12,600 miles in images. AI then analyzes these images against pre-determined business rules and sends alerts for different categories of potential water-related hazards, such as high water/flooding, beaver dams and increasing proximity of water to the tracks that could impact railway operations and safety.

This information, CPKC says, helps keep people and trains safe, by catching potential hazards and prioritizing work before issues develop.

“This approach sets a new standard for smart infrastructure. The system operates without requiring physical equipment and, as the AI continues to monitor our network, it gets smarter as it learns from real-life feedback,” the Class I noted.

“Congratulations to Tom and the Geotechnical Engineering team for these well-deserved awards. Your award-winning work is another example of how CPKC is always innovating to help keep our network safe.”

In related news, CPKC leaders from Sales & Marketing and Network & Capacity Management hosted short line and transload stakeholders from across the Class I’s network in Kansas City last week at the Business Development and Transload Conference.

This annual event offers a forum for Sales & Marketing to provide market updates while building relationships through valuable in-person sessions with business stakeholders, CPKC noted.

The agenda included a welcome from Coby Bullard, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing Merchandise, Energy and Business Development, and market updates from the ECP, Bulk and Intermodal teams. Additional presenters profiled and discussed CPKC’s Site Ready industrial development program, Mexico markets and nearshoring, as well as an economic update.

(CPKC)

“This year’s record attendance at our Business Development and Transload Conference brought together more than 220 participants from 95 companies spanning Canada, the United States and Mexico, showcasing the unmatched reach and collaboration within our network,” said Bullard. “By uniting short lines, transload operators, ports and industry stakeholders, this forum sparks new ideas and investments that drive growth and deliver lasting value for partners and customers alike.”

At the marquee event of the conference, CPKC celebrated outstanding performance among transload and short lines with an awards ceremony hosted by Coby Bullard and Mike Walczak, Vice President Service Design and Operations Technology. Awards for outstanding performance and investment and innovation were presented to the following companies:

• 2024 Outstanding Transload Performance Award, Canada: CPKC Transload Scotford, Operated by Arrow Reload Systems, Inc.
• 2024 Outstanding Transload Performance Award, USA: CPKC Transload Shoreham Yard, Operated by Stone Arch Commodities
• 2024 Outstanding Transload Performance Award, Mexico: Sipsa Bajio Terminal
• Driving Growth: Investment and Innovation on CPKC: Sprague Operating Resources, LLC
• 2024 Outstanding Short Line Performance Award, Canada: Essex Terminal Railway (ETR)
• 2024 Outstanding Short Line Performance Award, USA: Fort Worth and Western Railway (FWWR)

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This funding, which was proposed by Governor Maura Healey and passed by the Legislature, stems from a state transportation fund and will “improve safety and reliability across the MBTA system,” according to the agency. It will cover major projects and add new funding into the Rail Reliability Program (RRP) “to support significant, long-term investments, such as repairs and upgrades, in the MBTA’s capital projects and core infrastructure.”

This investment is the second time the MBTA is using revenue from the state “Fair Share” tax to pay for critical projects, the agency noted. The dedicated Fair Share revenue provides the Commonwealth with more borrowing capacity of the CTF, “providing greater financial flexibility to support capital projects across the state.” The funding, the agency says, “will help the MBTA to keep improving service, continuing capital projects, and providing reliability to travelers and riders across the system.”

This funding directly supports both new CIP objectives and the MBTA’s ongoing focus on these core four areas:

• “Safety: Investing in new technology and infrastructure to make the T safe for everyone. This also means upgrading critical systems that are over 100 years old, like the Green Line signal system, and replacing old vehicles when needed so that riders and employees are secure.
• “Reliability and Modernization: Fixing old equipment and upgrading the system by, for example, replacing the MBTA’s oldest locomotives and beginning construction of new, permanent maintenance facilities, like the Arborway Bus Facility and the Widett Layover Facility. These projects directly modernize MBTA operations so the T can run more reliable, on-time service.
• “Accessibility: Making sure all riders can easily use the T, which includes making sure stations are built with a platform height that allows for level-boarding where passengers can walk straight onto the train without a gap or step.
• “Sustainability and Resilience: The investment is designed to address the most critical repairs needed right now, advance modernization so that the system can handle the impacts of climate change and ensure it is durable and resilient.”

The $850 million allocation from the CTF, MBTA says, is currently planned for four specific, critical capital projects, including three rail projects and one bus project, “focused on core infrastructure, vehicle modernization, and climate resilience.” The rail projects include:

• Green Line Infrastructure Projects: “This group of investments will help fund necessary infrastructure to accommodate the new Green Line Type 10 vehicles and support the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grant Core Capacity Program. Improvements include power upgrades, modernization of the 100-year-old signal system, track reconfiguration, and modifications to all four maintenance facilities. These upgrades will result in higher capacity, increased frequencies, and full level-boarding at stations to support passenger mobility.”
• Widett Regional Rail Layover Facility – Phase 1: “This initial phase is an early-action package to prepare the 24-acre site for a regional rail layover facility. Phase 1 includes full demolition and environmental remediation of existing structures, geotechnical work, and elevating the site by five feet to meet future climate resilient Design Flood Elevation. Crucially, this phase will support the design and construction of a six-track electrified layover facility to support Battery Electric Multiple Units (BEMUs), enabling the new fully electrified service on the Fairmount line by 2028.”
• Locomotive Procurement: “This funding adds value to the ongoing procurement of new Commuter Rail locomotives, ensuring the replacement of the oldest vehicles in the fleet and maintaining service reliability.”

“This vote by the MBTA Board and recent vote by the MassDOT Board marks another critical step forward in delivering safe, reliable, and improved public transportation for the riders, communities, and businesses that we serve,” said Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. “This $850 million agreement, made possible by the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Fair Share revenue, will provide the critical support and infrastructure needed towards delivering vital projects to better serve the public. We are committed to ensuring we deliver meaningful projects on time and on budget, ensuring safety, improving accessibility and reliability, and delivering a mass transit system for generations to come.”

This critical funding through the RRP program “directly reinforces the MBTA’s unwavering commitment to safety, reliability, and modernization,” the agency said. “The Authority has prioritized tackling decades old, deferred maintenance and addressing asset needs to deliver the consistent service riders deserve. The investments in new vehicles and track upgrades will improve service reliability while the focus on accessibility and resiliency ensures the system is safer and more equitable for ridership.”

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Rail components and services provider A. Stucki Company (Stucki) on Oct. 24 reported that Jacob Creech is its new Chief Growth Officer, leading all commercial functions, including sales operations and customer engagement.

Creech joined Moon Township, Pa.-based Stucki earlier this year as Vice President of Sales. He served previously as Director of Locomotive and Railcar Leasing for Progress Rail, a Caterpillar Company. Before that he was a service engineer with Amsted Rail, a Chicago-based manufacturer of freight car components and other rail-related products. Creech holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business from Troy University in Troy, Ala.

“This is an internal succession that reflects both Jacob’s impact and the strength of talent we’re developing within our organization,” said Ron Port, who became Stucki CEO in 2024. “Jacob and his team will focus on building our customer partnerships and developing and converting our sales pipeline while ensuring alignment between operations and finance.”

Stucki, which provides engineered products, reconditioning and repair services, and maintenance of way services, operates more than a dozen companies, with 23 operating centers in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. Earlier this month, it reported acquiring Wheelworx, a railcar wheelset reconditioning services supplier. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Stucki since 2022 has been owned by a group of investors led by Stellex Capital Management.

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GPA

The CSX and Norfolk Southern-served Port of Savannah handled 486,000 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) in September, gaining 8% or 35,280 TEUs, over same month last year, GPA reported Oct. 23. In comparison, the Port in August handled 534,037 TEUs, up 44,000 TEUs, or 9% year-over-year, representing the third highest month in GPA history. For the fiscal year to date (July 1-Sept. 30), Savannah’s container trade is up 4.7% or 66,845 TEUs to nearly 1.5 million TEUs, according to GPA.

Comprising Garden City Terminal and Ocean Terminal, the Port of Savannah has 35 ship calls per week, 42 doublestack trains per week, and 14,000 truck gate moves daily.

It was GPA’s busiest September for total rail lifts, at 51,235 containers, up 21% or nearly 9,000 lifts, compared with the prior-year period, according to GPA. For the fiscal year to date, GPA achieved total rail lifts of nearly 150,000, an increase of 4.7%. The Appalachian Regional Port (ARP), a joint effort of the state of Georgia, Murray County, GPA, and CSX, set a record of 4,453 container lifts last month, up 48% or 1,450 lifts, GPA said. Since July, ARP has handled 11,465 containers, up 1,340 or 13%. The Port of Savannah’s Mason Mega Rail Terminal, served by CSX and Norfolk Southern, also had a strong performance, GPA reported, moving 46,782 containers, up 19% or 7,530 lifts in September. Mason Mega Rail, it noted, has moved more than 138,400 containers this fiscal year through September, an increase of 5,380 lifts or 4% compared with the same point in 2024.

The Port of Savannah completed 316,889 truck gate transactions in September, counting both import and export container moves, according to GPA. Turn times for dropping off or picking up a single container averaged 32 minutes last month. Dual export-import moves averaged 50 minutes. Dual moves, in which a driver drops off an export and picks up an import container, make up approximately 80% of truck transactions at the Port of Savannah. Truck drivers serving the Port of Savannah complete an average of six to eight turns per day, which GPA said represents “the industry’s best supply chain speed through a container port.”

“We’re focused on berth, rail, truck gate and container yard operations to offer the best service in these competitive times for our customers,” GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch said. “50-minute trucker turn times for dual moves at our gates and 22 hours average rail dwell are examples of operational metrics we’re consistently delivering.”

Port of Brunswick’s Colonels Island Terminal, one of the three GPA-owned deepwater terminals at the port, processed 55,811 units of autos and heavy equipment in September, down 30% or 24,100 units compared with the same month last year, according to GPA. Heavy equipment alone accounted for 4,119 units last month, it noted, down from 5,686 units in September 2024.

“Auto manufacturers have reduced production and shipment of some vehicles to the U.S. as they consider changes to manufacturing locations and target markets,” GPA reported. “Luxury vehicle exports to Asia are also down, related to stiffer competition from domestic Asian auto manufacturers. The September dip follows an August decline, with Roll-on/Roll-off volumes seeing paused shipments from manufacturers in Europe, Asia and Mexico.” Golden Isles Terminal Railroad, a Genesee & Wyoming subsidiary, serves the Colonels Island Auto Port, along with CSX and Norfolk Southern.

GPA said that construction of Berth 4 is ongoing with an expected completion in 2027.

“Market cycles are a normal part of business and reflected in supply chain flow,” Lynch said. “We’re focused on adding new berth capabilities to help our RoRo customers compete stronger in the future.”

Separately, GPA recently reported that S&P Global gave it “an excellent rating (high grade) of AA/Stable on GPA’s revenue bonds,” which is “effectively the equivalent rating that Moody’s issued last September 2024 at Aa2.”

Ports of Indiana-Jeffersonville 2025-Jeffersonville-Map-Directory_FINAL_9-30-25Download

Tanco Terminals is expanding its liquid barge facility at Ports of Indiana-Jeffersonville to meet rising demand for blended fertilizers in southern Indiana and northern Kentucky, according to the Ports of Indiana, a statewide port authority operating three ports—Jeffersonville, Burns Harbor, and Mount Vernon—on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan. The $750,000 expansion includes the construction of two 45,000-gallon tanks designed to support Premier Ag, a Seymour, Ind.-based regional cooperative and new customer of Tanco Terminals, the Port reported Oct. 22.

The new tanks will allow Premier Ag to blend fertilizer additives for farmers on an order-by-order basis, tailoring them to local soil conditions, the Port said, noting that this capability is expected to significantly increase throughput at the terminal. Currently, Premier Ag stores UAN (liquid nitrogen) at Tanco Terminals, which allows it to offer 32% and 28% nitrogen that can now be blended with ammonium thiosulfate.

Tanco’s port facility receives liquid shipments via barge, rail, and truck, allowing Premier Ag to purchase products from multiple markets throughout the world and store them locally so products can be blended on an as-needed basis, according to the Port.

“This expansion is about more than just infrastructure—it’s about aligning with the needs of our customers and the market,” said Kip Middendorf, Vice President and Managing Director of Tanco Terminals, which was established at the Jeffersonville port on the Ohio River in 2000 for liquid asphalt and fertilizer products and at the Indiana-Burns port on Lake Michigan in 1977 for liquid bulk. “Premier Ag’s commitment to the Jeffersonville facility was a major driver in our investments, which not only meet today’s needs but also anticipate future growth.”

“Our expansion at Tanco Terminals is a key link in providing better service to our farmer customers,” commented Jeff Jarrett, Vice President–New Business Ventures & Fertilizer for Premier Ag. “Tanco Terminals and the Ports of Indiana-Jeffersonville are key players in our strategic vision and ongoing investments.”

According to the Port, future expansion phases are planned as the project footprint is designed to accommodate up to four additional tanks. Tanco Terminals is also developing facilities that will allow Premier Ag to operate 24/7 so trucks can load product at all hours during peak agricultural seasons. Tanco Terminals is also pursuing opportunities in new markets, which could lead to continued growth and diversification at the Jeffersonville site, the Port said. Last December, Tanco Terminals announced it was investing $8.2 million to expand its “liquid tank farm” at Burns Harbor.

Among the railroads serving the Ports of Indiana are Burns Harbor Railroad, Mount Vernon Railroad, Evansville Western Railway, CSX, Louisville & Indiana Railroad, and Norfolk Southern.

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Amtrak service could return to Detroit’s famed Michigan Central Station — or at least a new one built nearby. On October 15, the Michigan Department of Transportation, the city of Detroit, and Michigan Central announced they had signed an agreement to build a new multimodal transportation center on Michigan Central’s 30-acre campus. The new facility could open by 2029. 

Michigan Central was built in 1914 and closed in 1988. The Ford Motor Company reopened it in 2024 as a mixed-use facility. Amtrak’s present station in Detroit is about three miles north of downtown and sees daily service by the Wolverine. 

—Justin Franz 

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“Norfolk Southern delivered another quarter of strong results on safety, service, and productivity through a dynamic freight market,” said Mark George, President and CEO of the Class I railroad, which on Oct. 23 posted third-quarter 2025 results, including income from railway operations of $1.1 billion, an operating ratio of 63.3%, and diluted earnings per share of $3.30, each of which was adjusted to exclude expenses related to its potential merger with Union Pacific; restructuring and other charges; and the effects of the 2023 East Palestine, Ohio, derailment.

(Courtesy of NS)

“The entire Thoroughbred team pulled together to serve our customers, achieve an all-time record in fuel efficiency, delivered on key productivity initiatives, and executed a noteworthy land sale that will ultimately deliver rail volumes for years to come,” Mark George continued. “I’m proud of the way our team is performing with discipline and focus—driving results and strengthening our foundation for long term success.”

(Courtesy of NS)

Following are highlights of NS’s third-quarter 2025 results:

• Railway operating revenues came in at $3.1 billion, an increase of $52 million, or 2%, from the same quarter last year, on flat volumes, according to the railroad. Fuel surcharge revenue declined $30 million compared with third-quarter 2024, which NS said represents a 1% headwind to overall revenues.

• Income from railway operations was $1.1 billion, a fall-off of $498 million, from third-quarter 2024, which included a $380 million benefit from two railway line sales in the states of Virginia and North Carolina, NS noted. Adjusting for merger-related expenses*, restructuring and other charges, and the effects of the Eastern Ohio incident, NS reported income from railway operations was $1.1 billion, up $21 million, or 2%, aided by $65 million incremental land sales, compared to adjusted third-quarter 2024. (*In third-quarter 2025, NS incurred $15 million in merger-related expenses, which it said were “primarily related to third-party advisor fees, legal fees, and costs associated with employee retention arrangements.)

• Operating ratio in third-quarter 2025 was 64.6% vs. 47.7% in the prior-year period, which included the aforementioned railway line sales. Adjusting for merger-related expenses, restructuring and other charges, and the effects of the Eastern Ohio incident, NS said the operating ratio for the quarter was 63.3%. This represents 10 basis points of improvement from adjusted third-quarter 2024 which was 63.4%

• Diluted earnings per share were $3.16, down from $4.85 in third-quarter 2024, which included the aforementioned railway line sales. According to NS, adjusting for merger-related expenses, restructuring and other charges, and the effects of the Eastern Ohio incident, diluted earnings per share were $3.30, up $0.05, or 2%, compared with adjusted third-quarter 2024.

(Courtesy of NS)

UP presented its financial report earlier on Oct. 23. “Our third-quarter results serve as a proof point that we are successfully executing on our strategy,” said CEO Jim Vena. “We have a historic opportunity with the Norfolk Southern to create [the United States’] first transcontinental railroad. As we work toward regulatory approval, our team is focused and driving continued improvements in our pursuit of what’s possible.”

Concurrent with 3Q25 earnings, Vena sent a letter to all UP employees outlining the benefits of merging with NS, stating that it “will allow us to move [products] in a faster manner, which will make American goods more competitive, open more markets and provide more jobs.” He reiterated his pledge that company is “guaranteeing a job for every unionized employee that’s working for the two companies on the day the deal closes.” And while he “personally thinks that [the STB] taking the prescribed length of time to review the application is excessive,” he believes the STB “will listen to its constituents and thoroughly examine our application, which will show the combination enhances competition and is in the public interest.”

In a post-earnings call conversation with Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono, Vena outlined some of the joint initiatives UP and NS have embarked upon to ensure that, operationally, integrating the two railroads will go smoothly. Glitches are bound to occur, he acknowledged, but pointed to his own involvement with mergers during his time with CN, where he spent most of his career, working on the acquisitions of Illinois Central and Wisconsin Central, among other railroads. Read Vantuono’s report here.

Further Reading:

• ‘Network Improvements Power a Better Future for Passenger Rail’ – John Orr, NS
• Preserving the Past, Powering the Future: NS Helps Reunite Georgia’s Railroad History
• Norfolk Southern Powers Past 1,000th Locomotive Modernization
• NS, UP Leveraging Louisville
• For NS, Four ‘Strategic Moves’
• Mechanical Marvel
• UP, NS Notify STB of Intent to File Merger Application
• UP + NS: What Comes Next?
• Union Pacific + Norfolk Southern: It’s Official

DOWNLOAD NS FINANCIAL REPORT, PRESENTATION BELOW: 2025_Q3_Analyst_BookDownload Q3_2025_Earnings_Combined_Presentation_FinalDownload

The post For NS 3Q25, ‘Strong Results’ appeared first on Railway Age.

Amtrak

The first new Amtrak Cascades trainset wrapped up testing in Pueblo, Colo., and is officially headed to the Northeast Corridor for additional testing—marking a major milestone on the path to launching new trains on the Amtrak Cascades corridor in 2026.

“This trainset is part of our bold transformation in passenger rail, Amtrak said in a release.” Known within the industry as part of Amtrak’s Airo fleet, a total of 83 new trainsets will roll out across the country, starting with Amtrak Cascades, followed by the Northeast Regional, and other key routes.

“With Pacific Northwest-inspired design, modern amenities, and regional food and beverage offerings, we’re redefining the journey—one route at a time,” Amtrak said.

A video of the Airo is available here.

MBTA

The MBTA is paying tribute to the 1970s by putting a refurbished retro locomotive back on the tracks, according to a WBZ NewsRadio report.

The MBTA Commuter Rail train sports a classic yellow stripe on the front with a purple wraparound, “a paint job that was discontinued more than 20 years ago,” according to the report.

“We replaced all the components, and we want to keep it running for a few more years, make sure the service is reliable,” said MBTA spokesperson Joe Pesaturo. “Then after the overall work was done, we decided that we would revisit what we call the retro paint scheme.”

The refurbished locomotive left North Station on Oct. 21 at 10:30 a.m. and went to the train yard to be hooked up to coaches and prep for extra service to be done, WBZ NewsRadio reported.

According to the MBTA, “This tribute is part of a series honoring the legacy railroads that shaped the MBTA’s current operations, including the “Boston and Maine” heritage locomotive put into passenger service in September, as well as the upcoming locomotives highlighting the New Haven Railroad, which formed the bulk of the Southside lines, and the New York Central (Boston and Albany) Railroad, which historically operated what is now the Worcester Commuter Rail Line,” WBZ NewsRadio reported.

TransLink

A SkyTrain car from TransLink’s retiring Mark I fleet has been given a new home in a BC film studio—by Lumostage Virtual Production in Langley Township, the agency recently reported. Lumostage has repurposed an original Mark I car and integrated it into a 180-degree LED stage for film and television productions.

(TransLink)

As the very first SkyTrain vehicles near the end of their service lives and make way for new Mark V cars in the coming years, TransLink says it is “inviting creative ideas to ensure these historic trains continue serving the region in fresh and innovative ways.”

“We’re thrilled to see one of our iconic SkyTrain cars enjoy a future which will preserve its legacy while supporting one of our strongest local industries,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. “Since first rolling out nearly 40 years ago, the Mark I SkyTrain cars have carried millions of customers and become a defining symbol of Metro Vancouver’s transit system.”

“Filming subway scenes in BC has always been a challenge—until now,” said Lumostage Chief Operating Officer Angus Luk-Ramsay. “By working with TransLink and top motion picture engineers and artists, Lumostage has turned a retired SkyTrain car into a film-friendly, interactive subway train set that makes our province an even more attractive destination for motion picture and commercial productions.”

TransLink is once again looking for other creative ideas to relocate and repurpose the rest of the roughly 130 retiring Mark I SkyTrain cars. Interested individuals, businesses, developers, community organizations, and municipalities are encouraged to submit proposals through a new Request for Information (RFI). This follows an initial call for idea submissions in November 2024.

Accepted applicants are responsible for funding the transport of the SkyTrain cars from the BC Rapid Transit Company (BCRTC) storage facility, as well as covering all the future costs of repurposing the cars.

Creative proposals for the next set of cars will be accepted until Nov. 28, 2025. Additional applications will open at a later date, as more vehicles are phased out of service.

The post Transit Briefs: Amtrak, MBTA, TransLink appeared first on Railway Age.

With an STB merger filing for acquiring Norfolk Southern targeted for no later than Dec. 1, Union Pacific posted a solid third-quarter 2025, showing “strong operating income growth driven by increased revenue and operating efficiency” and “a best-ever quarter record for freight revenue, excluding fuel surcharge.”

“Our third-quarter results serve as a proof point that we are successfully executing on our strategy,” said CEO Jim Vena. “We have a historic opportunity with the Norfolk Southern to create [the United States’] first transcontinental railroad. As we work toward regulatory approval, our team is focused and driving continued improvements in our pursuit of what’s possible.”

UP reported 3Q25 net income of $1.8 billion, or $3.01 per diluted share. Those results include merger costs of $41 million, or $0.07 per diluted share. Adjusted 3Q25 (non-GAAP) net income of $1.8 billion, or $3.08 per diluted share, compares to 3Q24 net income of $1.7 billion, or $2.75 per diluted share.

Compared to the prior-year period, UP’s operating revenue of $6.2 billion grew 3%, “driven by solid core pricing gains, partially offset by lower fuel surcharge. Freight revenue excluding fuel surcharge grew 4%. The reported operating ratio was 59.2%, an improvement of 110 basis points. The adjusted operating ratio was 58.5%, an improvement of 180 basis points.

UP said its operating results reflect “continued momentum in safety, service, and operational excellence,” with third-quarter records for freight car velocity and locomotive productivity, and “best ever” quarter records for terminal dwell, train length, workforce productivity and fuel consumption rate. The FRA reportable personal injury rate and reportable derailment rate both improved. Freight car velocity was 226 daily miles per car, an 8% improvement. Locomotive productivity was 140 gross ton-miles (GTMs) per horsepower day, a 4% improvement. Average terminal dwell was 20.4 hours, a 9% improvement. Average train length was 9,801 feet (1.86 miles), a 2% increase. Workforce productivity improved 6% to 1,165 car-miles per employee.

UP noted the company is “on track with Investor Day targets.” The 2025 outlook is based on “meeting customer demand with strong service” and a “challenging international intermodal comparison.” Pricing dollars are expected to be accretive to the operating ratio. EPS growth should be consistent with attaining a three-year CAGR target of high-single to low-double digits. UP predicts an “industry-leading operating ratio and return on invested capital, continued strong cash generation.” Capital allocation is based on a capital plan of $3.4 billion. The 3Q25 dividend will increase 3%. Share repurchases have been paused for the Norfolk Southern merger. (Download full financial statement below.)

“In-Depth Examination”

Concurrent with 3Q25 earnings, Jim Vena sent a letter (download below) to all UP employees outlining the benefits of merging with NS, stating that it “will allow us to move [products] in a faster manner, which will make American goods more competitive, open more markets and provide more jobs.” He reiterated his pledge that company is “guaranteeing a job for every unionized employee that’s working for the two companies on the day the deal closes.” And while he “personally thinks that [the STB] taking the prescribed length of time to review the application is excessive,” he believes the STB “will listen to its constituents and thoroughly examine our application, which will show the combination enhances competition and is in the public interest.”

“Working as One Team”

In a post-earnings call conversation with Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono, Vena outlined some of the joint initiatives Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have embarked upon to ensure that, operationally, integrating the two railroads will go smoothly. Glitches are bound to occur, he acknowledged, but pointed to his own involvement with mergers during his time with CN, where he spent most of his career, working on the acquisitions of Illinois Central and Wisconsin Central, among other railroads.

In the STB application, “we will explain how UP and NS will look” as one railroad. “Working as a team, we’re developing an overall plan, and I’m not worried about taking costs out right away.” The service plan will cover operating independently, transitioning to a single carrier, a process expected to take a while. “We won’t do anything until we’re confident that the numerous integrational aspects will work as expected,” he said. UP’s NetControl IT system, rolled out in January 2024, will extend to the entire combined railroad. Currently, UP and NS are identifying “tether points” that will connect both railroads’ IT systems beginning “on Day 1” of the merger. As far as blending corporate cultures, “we know it’s going to take a few years,” Vena said.

Yet, Vena left little doubt that, clearly, the combined transcontinental railroad will be named “Union Pacific.”

UNP 3Q2025 Financial StatementDownload Q3 2025 CEO Employee Letter-Board FinalDownload

The post UP 3Q25: ‘Continued Improvements in Pursuit of What’s Possible’ appeared first on Railway Age.