Prototype News

The Station Inn, a fan-favorite bed and breakfast just steps away from Norfolk Southern’s busy former Pennsylvania Railroad main line in Cresson, Pa., has reopened its popular basement bar after a 20-year hiatus. 

The Station Inn was founded in 1993 by Tom Davis, who purchased a former railroad hotel built in 1866 and converted it into a bed-and-breakfast for rail enthusiasts. Besides offering visiting enthusiasts a place to recharge after a long day trackside, it’s possible to watch trains right from the front porch. The Lang family purchased the Inn in 2022.

A bar had operated in the hotel’s basement as early as 1904. Later, it became a pizza place. Not long after Davis purchased the hotel, he reopened the basement as a bar and ran it until about 2005, when he closed it to focus on the rest of the operation. Owner J. Alex Lang said that, after buying the hotel in 2022 and reestablishing it, one of his next goals was to reopen the bar. That happened earlier this winter, and it’s since become a popular watering hole for railfans and locals alike. The bar offers a variety of small plates and snacks, a cocktail menu, and local beers and wines. It’s presently open Thursday through Saturday, from 5 to 10 p.m. For more information, visit yardofficelounge.com.

—Justin Franz

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Political divisions may cause Democrats to attempt a procedural block on a floor vote as they are infuriated that POTUS 47 has almost exclusively been nominating Republicans for senior government posts while firing Democrats already holding office.

However, Republicans in 2025 reinterpreted Senate rules to allow nominees to move in a large group without a previously typical pairing of Republican nominees with Democratic nominees. This reinterpretation—a practice reducing opportunities for political obstruction—allowed Republican Michelle A. Schultz to be confirmed to a second five-year term in December as one of more than 80 Republican nominees and no Democrats. This contrasts with Senate floor confirmation in May 2024 of Republican Chairperson Patrick J. Fuchs to a second term where he was paired with Democrat Jennifer Homendy, who is now chairperson of the National Transportation Safety Board.

Among POTUS-47 fired Democrats—with no cause shown as is required by statute—was STB member Robert E. Primus, in a second term not expiring until Dec. 31, 2027. Primus alleges his August 2025 firing by POTUS 47 was unlawful. A federal district court has yet to rule. An appeal by either Primus or the Administration is likely following that decision. And it is not clear whether a court has authority to order reinstatement should Primus prevail on the unlawful firing claim.

Nor has POTUS 47 taken steps to ensure the STB’s current lone Democrat, Karen J. Hedlund, will remain. Her first term expired in December, leaving her in a maximum 12-month holdover period with no sign she will be renominated or that another Democrat will be named as her successor.

This is concerning. Two of the more significant rail regulatory decisions in generations—a major rail merger and a rulemaking overturning four decades of agency precedent—are on the STB’s voting agenda. They could be decided by just two members—both Republicans—if Kloster is not confirmed, Hedlund departs and a Democratic successor is not nominated and confirmed, and Primus is not returned to office or a Democratic successor to Primus is not nominated and confirmed.

The two sitting Republicans are Fuchs, whose second and final (by statute) term expires Jan. 14, 2029, and Schultz, whose second and final term expires Nov. 30, 2030. The STB governing statute contains no quorum requirement and has twice functioned in the past with but one member while awaiting reinforcements.

If the STB accepts an expected second merger application from Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS)—the first rejected in January as incomplete; a revised version expected by April 30—the agency will be voting by mid-2027 on allowing the first U.S. Atlantic-Pacific transcontinental railroad to be created.

Expected earlier for a final vote is an STB-initiated rulemaking on easing the process by which shippers may obtain, at a currently single-railroad served facility, access to a second railroad to provide competitive rail service. So-called Reciprocal Switching creates, in theory, rate and service competition. It would be available to all rail shippers, not just captive shippers defined as lacking effective transportation alternatives to rail.

While the proposed UP-NS merger has received substantial public attention, the pending rulemaking—“Eliminating Regulatory Barriers to Competition: Review of Part 1144, Docket No. 788”—is also consequential. If finalized—Fuchs, Schultz and Hedlund expressed their support in calling for public comment—the new rule would repeal an existing one shippers consider the antithesis of a promise made to them by Congress in 1980 (Staggers Rail Act). The promise was to protect against railroad market power abuse. The rule targeted for repeal requires that shippers demonstrate railroads are engaging in anticompetitive conduct before those shippers become eligible for Reciprocal Switching relief. Shippers—agricultural, chemical, energy and manufacturing—have never been able to meet the burden.

While the former Interstate Commerce Commission once had 11 members—reduced in 1983 to five—successor STB was created in 1995 with three members. That number soon collided with the 1976 Government in Sunshine Act prohibiting an agency majority (just two when only three members) from discussing official business in a non-public setting.

The 2015 Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act increased STB membership to five, allowing a minority (two members) to discuss case issues under specific conditions. The provision was co-authored by Thune (then Commerce Committee chairperson) and senior committee Democrat Bill Nelson of Florida, with drafting by Fuchs, who then was a senior committee staff member.

Restoration of a five-person Board would enhance the ability of STB members to learn directly from peers their thought process and logic underpinning their concerns or likely vote. Such ability could be especially productive at the STB as, in this era of extreme political divide, there is remarkable collegiality among Republicans Fuchs and Schultz and Democrat Hedlund. Kloster has shown no inclination to upset that chemistry.

Although STB members—when their number is fewer than five—are still able to communicate second-hand through staff, the one-on-one process is considered most productive. In considering competition enhancing measures, there are complex ancillary issues such as the STB’s non-working rate reasonableness standards, including the Stand-Alone Cost (SAC) and Three-Benchmark processes, and application of a revenue adequacy constraint, all of which are ripe for merger-approval conditions. In many respects, the STB functions much as a multi-member judicial panel where collaboration among decision-makers improves decisional quality.

In this regard, the diversity of STB-member disciplines is noteworthy—Fuchs, with a Senate Commerce staff background; Schultz, an attorney with a small-business background and experience in commuter rail labor relations and lobbying; Hedlund, with a transportation consulting background; and Kloster, skilled in rail equipment supply. 

Kloster 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. He earned an undergraduate degree in business from Northern Illinois University and a master’s in marketing from the University of Alabama.

Kloster told Railway Age in July 2025 that his strength is “considerable time” working with railroads and shippers. He had early employment with Chicago & North Western Railway (now part of Union Pacific)—beginning, he said, as a “car department apprentice” the same week in 1980 that President Carter signed into law the 1980 Staggers Rail Act.

Kloster was confirmed to a seat vacated by former STB Chairperson and Democrat Martin J. Oberman, who retired in May 2024. With Republican POTUS 47’s inauguration in January 2025, the swing seat became available to a Republican.

Although Kloster and Schultz went before the Senate Commerce Committee together in November 2025, only Schultz was reported-out favorably. No vote was taken on Kloster, with sources saying it had to do with “paperwork delay.” Kloster’s still-open nomination was returned to the White House at the close of the first session of the 119th Congress in December. POTUS 47 nominated him a second time in January 2026. A second confirmation hearing was not held, and Commerce Committee Chairperson Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) scheduled the successful March 12 Commerce Committee vote.

The Commerce Committee on March 12 also favorably reported the nomination of Republican Michael Graham to a second term on the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Earlier this year, the Senate confirmed to a first term on the NTSB Republican John DeLeeuw to replace Democrat Alvin Brown, who was fired by POTUS 47. Brown, as Primus, has challenged in court the legality of the firing. Should Brown prevail in court, there would be, theoretically, two people occupying the same NTSB seat.

Also fired by POTUS 47 at the five-member NTSB was Republican member Todd Inam, but his March 6 firing was, according to the White House, for cause, following allegations Inam was, as reported by Politico, guilty of “alcohol use at his job, harassment of staff and a host of other issues.” Inman denies the allegations. Currently serving on the NTSB are Democratic Chairperson Homendy, Republican Graham, Republican DeLeeuw (not yet sworn in) and Democrat John Chapman.

At the three-member National Mediation Board, Democrat Deirdre Hamilton is contesting in court her firing by POTUS 47, leaving that agency with one Republican (Loren E. Sweatt) and one Democrat (Linda Puchalla).

Railway Age Capitol Hill Contributing Editor Frank N. Wilner is author of “Railroads & Economic Regulation,” available from Simmons-Boardman Books, www.railwayeducationalbureau.com/product/ railroads-economic-regulation-an-insiders-account/, 800-228-9670. 

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Norfolk Southern Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer John Orr was honored as Railway Age’s 2026 Railroader of the Year on March 10 during the traditional dinner hosted by the Western Railway Club at the Union League Club of Chicago. Earlier in the day, he, in a discussion with Railway Age Executive Editor Marybeth Luczak, closed out the Next-Generation Freight Rail Conference.

“Surrounded by family and friends last night, I was deeply honored and humbled to accept the Railroader of the Year award—and grateful for the opportunity to reflect on what this industry and its people mean to me,” Orr said. “Railroading has never been about one person. It’s about people, purpose and continuous improvement. Throughout my career, I’ve learned that if you’re standing still, you’re losing ground—and if you think you’re done learning, you have already lost. At Norfolk Southern, our PSR 2.0 transformation is anchored in safety and stability. Everything else depends on it.

“From there, we focus on building leaders at every level, pushing decision‑making closer to the work, and using data and curiosity to solve real problems—not just talk about them. PSR 2.0 ‘the evolution of railroading in the digital age,’ isn’t ‘either/or.’ It’s safety and service, people and process, reliability and profitability. When you invest in people and treat them as though they are full of capability, they become force multipliers for everyone around them. This recognition belongs to the many railroaders who show up every day to learn, adapt and move this industry forward—together.

“In his distinguished career as a railroader, spanning North America, John started in the field as a train and engine service employee,” Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono noted. “Today, as Chief Operating Officer of Norfolk Southern, he continues to spend most of his time in the field, where the work is performed 24/7. That says a lot. I am honored to have known him in a professional capacity for a long time. I’ve learned a lot from John through the experiences I’ve had accompanying him as he runs a railroad as few people can. But most meaningful to me, I am blessed to have him as a friend. Since 1964, when the first Railroader of the Year, Southern Railway’s Bill Brosnan—now a legend—was honored, few have been as deserving of this award as John Orr.”

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Recognizing his years of dedicated service and leadership to the global heavy haul rail community, the Association said, “Scott Lovelace has been a central figure in IHHA’s evolution, strengthening the Association’s technical programs, global collaboration, and commitment to advancing safe, efficient, and innovative heavy haul operations. The IHHA Board expressed deep appreciation for Scott’s contributions, including his stewardship of major conferences, technical exchanges, and member engagement initiatives.”

“With gratitude and respect, we thank Scott for his remarkable service,” said Kari Gonzales, MxV Rail President & CEO and IHHA Chairperson. “His dedication to IHHA and to the heavy haul industry worldwide has left a lasting legacy.”

Merheb, a long-serving IHHA leader, will step into the CEO role following his acceptance of the Board’s appointment. He brings more than a decade of technical, academic, and executive experience in heavy haul railway engineering.

Merheb holds a PhD, MSc, and BSc in transportation infrastructure and civil engineering, and has served as a researcher in the United States and Brazil.

“We are thrilled to welcome Antonio into the CEO role,” Gonzales said. “His deep technical expertise, global perspective, and long-standing commitment to IHHA’s mission make him the ideal leader to guide the Association into its next chapter.”

As IHHA prepares for upcoming conferences, workshops, and strategic initiatives, Merheb will work closely with the Board, members, and industry partners “to continue advancing heavy haul rail innovation, safety, and collaboration worldwide,” the Association noted.

“I am honored to lead IHHA at this pivotal time,” said Merheb. “Together, we will continue to foster innovation, enhance global collaboration, and ensure that our industry remains at the forefront of transportation excellence. I look forward to working with our members and partners to build on the Association’s achievements and drive new progress in the years ahead.”

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New Hampshire’s Mt. Washington Cog Railway has received the first of two new boilers that will allow the mountain-climbing railroad to continue running steam for years to come. 

From 1869 until 2008, steam ruled the west slope of Mt. Washington. Constructed in the 1860s, the Mount Washington Cog Railway was the world’s first mountain-climbing cog railroad. However, in the late 2000s, diesel locomotives began to replace most steam locomotives. For a few years, only the first run of the day up the hill featured steam. In recent years, the railroad has offered a handful of trips to the summit behind steam, as well as a Mid Mountain Steam Special that travels about halfway up the hill. Presently, there are two steam engines on the active roster: Locomotive 2 Ammonoosuc, built in 1875, and 9 Waumbek, built in 1908. Both locomotives were constructed by the Manchester Locomotive Works, which later became part of the American Locomotive Company.

The new boilers are being built by Maine Locomotive & Machine Works in Alna, Maine. The first boiler is being used on locomotive 9, and officials said they hope to have the engine reassembled and in service this year.

—Justin Franz 

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