Prototype News

Norfolk Southern (NS) will lease its Doraville rail corridor and transload terminal in Georgia to Jaguar Transport Holdings LLC (Jaguar), which is slated to operate local switching service and “make capital improvements to expand yard capacity and support future growth.”

Map Showing Doraville, Ga., Courtesy of OpenRailwayMap.org.

“Located near I-285 and I-85, the Doraville rail corridor serves a cluster of industrial and logistics businesses in northeast metro Atlanta,” NS said in a March 31 announcement. (Editor’s Note: NS released a similar announcement on April 1.) “Through local switching and transload access, the corridor serves both rail-adjacent customers and regional shippers that depend on truck-to-rail connectivity.”

Under the agreement, Jaguar will provide “dedicated local service to enable faster first- and last-mile connections while integrating closely with NS’s Doraville transload facility,” according to NS. The Class I expects the move to:

• “Improve interchange fluidity.
• “Support higher-margin freight.
• “Enable new industrial and warehouse development in the corridor.”

Jaguar has also “committed to performance standards and growth covenants designed to ensure long-term value creation for both companies,” NS noted.

Headquartered in Joplin, Mo., Jaguar operates 13 short lines and multiple transload facilities across the U.S. and “has a track record of generating strong early-stage volume growth after assuming local operations,” according to NS.

The Class I said the Doraville agreement with Jaguar not only reflects its “broader short line strategy: using targeted partnerships to extend network reach, improve local service, and unlock new markets that are best served by specialized operators,” but also supports its “long-term vision for a future combined network with Union Pacific.” NS noted that Jaguar is already a short line partner of UP, “supporting eventual operational alignment and a scalable model for local-market growth across a larger national network.”

Jaguar in March 2025 entered into an agreement with UP to provide short line service in the Central Industrial District of Kansas City; the Class I leased about 12 acres of land and four miles of track to Jaguar. UP said at the time that the move allowed it to focus on “fast, reliable long-haul service from the site in central Kansas City,” while Jaguar would offer five-day-a-week short-haul services via its new short line, the Kansas City West Bottoms Railroad.

“This [NS-Jaguar] deal is completely focused on freight growth, delivering increased capacity, and providing expanded local service in the important metro Atlanta market,” said Stefan Loeb, NS Vice President of Business Development and First- and Final-Mile Markets. “We value Jaguar’s experience in short line and transload operations, as well as its proven track record of success. This opportunity continues to demonstrate that short lines and transloaders are a crucial part of Norfolk Southern’s growth strategy.”

“We’re grateful for Norfolk Southern’s trust as we assume operations in Doraville,” noted Tim Enayati, Senior Vice President of Commercial Development at Jaguar. “Jaguar is committed to delivering exceptional service to our customers and being a reliable growth partner for Norfolk Southern in Atlanta.”

“From Day One, our focus will be on safe and reliable service,” Jaguar Senior Vice President of Operations Dan Price added. “We know how vital this corridor is to these customers, and we will bring discipline, responsiveness, and the focus it takes to earn their confidence and support future growth.”

Further Reading:

• NS: Short Lines ‘Play a Crucial Role’
• NEARS: Consolidation, Weak Economic Backdrop Highlighted
• Jaguar Acquires CBRW, CWAR
• JTH Operating DTL
• New Short Line in North Carolina
• Jaguar Launches Charlotte Western
• Jaguar Launches MER
• Jaguar Adds Oklahoma Rail Park Ops
• Jaguar Transport Picks Up Five New Short Lines

The post NS, Jaguar Team for Growth in Northeast Metro Atlanta appeared first on Railway Age.

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

As Southern California prepares to welcome the world for a summer of internationally watched soccer matches, the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, which manages the Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner® service, and Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board announced a new partnership on March 30 “designed to help fans experience Los Angeles and the greater Southern California region with ease—on match days and beyond.”

Pacific Surfliner now offers an additional daily roundtrip between San Diego and Los Angeles. Fans across Southern California will experience this partnership firsthand as a brightly wrapped train car travels along the 351-mile coastal corridor “to build excitement, celebrate the region, and remind riders of the world’s most-watched soccer matches coming to Los Angeles this summer.”

“Southern California is built for moments like this—world-class sports, iconic destinations, and a connected coastline,” said Jason Jewell, LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency Managing Director. “By partnering with the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, we’re making it easier for soccer fans from around the globe, as well as local supporters, to experience Los Angeles without the stress of traffic or parking, while also discovering everything Southern California has to offer.”

As part of the partnership, travelers can unlock a 20% discount on Pacific Surfliner fares to and from Los Angeles between May 1, 2026 – July 15, 2026.

“Los Angeles is ready to welcome fans from near and far this summer,” said Eileen Hanson, Chief Marketing Officer of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. “Pacific Surfliner makes it easy for visitors to experience LA like a local by arriving sustainably, exploring beyond the stadium, and discovering the diverse neighborhoods, beaches, and iconic attractions that make Los Angeles such a dynamic global destination.”

More information is available here.

TriMet

On Saturday, April 18, from noon to 3 p.m., TriMet will host a public celebration of its Type 1 MAX trains before they go out of service forever.

The event will be at Holladay Park in Northeast Portland, adjacent to the agency’s Lloyd Center/NE 11th Ave MAX Station. Anyone can join in this historic moment and interact, possibly for the last time, with a piece of regional and national transit history. It’s an opportunity to say goodbye to a train that has provided hundreds of thousands of trips over the past 40 years.

The Type 1s launched modern light rail in the Portland metro area in 1986. In doing so, the vehicles set a standard for other public transportation agencies to follow. After nearly four decades of service—providing millions of trips and traveling millions of miles—the remaining Type 1s are now 10 years past their due date, with their final days numbered.

TriMet began decommissioning the vehicles—preparing them for recycling or donation—in 2024 as the agency began introducing its newest trains, the Type 6s. The Type 1s, among the oldest light rail vehicles still operating on a major transit system in the United States, had exceeded their lifecycle, and replacement parts for them had become difficult to source.

“As much as the Type 1 has served as a reliable means of transportation for countless people over the decades, it has also acted as an inspiration for what’s possible here at TriMet,” TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. said. “Without top-notch mechanics, operators, supervisors, cleaners and others, these trains would not have been able to provide the decades of service they have.”

The April 18 event will celebrate the 40-year history of the Type 1 and the employees, current and retired, who helped keep these trains running amid a changing system.

MBTA

Governor Maura Healey on March 31 announced a series of summer fare promotions and discounts on the MBTA Commuter Rail “to lower costs for riders, support regular commuters and encourage more people to choose public transportation as Massachusetts prepares for a busy season of major events across the state.”

Governor Healey made the announcement at North Station alongside Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and Interim Transportation Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng on Monday, where they outlined four promotions that will run on the Commuter Rail through June, July, and August, including Free Fridays, a 50% discount on monthly passes, and more. Monthly passholders will save between $321 and $639 over the summer, depending on their route. 

With major events and increased travel expected across the state this summer, the Administration is focused on making sure people have a reliable, affordable alternative to driving so we can reduce congestion, support daily commuters, and keep Massachusetts moving, the MBTA noted. These steps will help residents and visitors get around during a busy summer while making public transportation a more convenient choice for everyday travel.   

“As we prepare for events like the World Cup, MA250, Tall Ships, and for millions of visitors to experience all that Massachusetts has to offer, we want to thank our regular riders that rely on us 365 days a year for your patience and continuing to choose transit during this unprecedented summer. These free and discounted summer Commuter Rail services are a Thank You to our regular passengers and to encourage more people to experience the convenience of leaving their cars at home and choosing transit,” said Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “We are committed to furthering MassDOT’s mission of providing safe, reliable, and resilient transportation in every corner of the state, and we hope passengers across the region take advantage of our Free Summer Fridays, summer discounts, and bringing a friend on the Commuter Rail on weekends for just $1 each way to explore the many wonderful recreational opportunities Massachusetts has to offer just a train trip away.”

The following fare promotions will be available through June, July and August 2026: 

Free Summer Fridays

All Commuter Rail service will be free on Fridays in June, July, and August 2026, including Juneteenth and July 3. Regular fares will be in place for Boston Stadium Trains, the CapeFLYER, and any other special event trains to Foxboro.

50% Discount on Monthly Commuter Rail Passes

Calendar month Commuter Rail passes for June, July, and August 2026 will be discounted by 50%. This discount applies to full fare and reduced fare monthly passes for Zones 1 through 10, Interzone 1 through 10, and Commuter Ferry passes. This discount will not apply to Zone 1A passes. All non-calendar month Commuter Rail products (for example, single-ride tickets, 5-Day Flex Passes, and Weekend Passes) will remain at their standard prices.

Expanded Weekend Travel for Monthly Pass Holders

Monthly Commuter Rail passes will be valid for travel to any zone on weekends. Zone 1 through 10 pass holders may travel through Zone 10, and Interzone pass holders may travel through Interzone 10. This does not apply to Zone 1A passes or ferry service. Regular fares will be in place for Boston Stadium Trains, the CapeFLYER, and any other special event trains to Foxboro.

$1 Weekend “Summer Companion” Fare for Commuter Rail Monthly Pass Holders

Monthly pass holders may bring one companion on any weekend Commuter Rail trip covered by their pass for $1 each way. This offer is limited to one companion per pass holder. Regular fares will remain in place for Boston Stadium trains, the CapeFLYER, and other special event trains to Foxboro. 

To support increased ridership during the FIFA World Cup, the MBTA will temporarily adjust Commuter Rail schedules in June and July, including expanded service to accommodate up to 20,000 passengers on 14 trains per match day to Boston Stadium.

The MBTA says it recognizes that these temporary schedule changes may affect regular riders. These fare discounts are intended to offset those impacts, support regular riders, and encourage more people to choose transit during a busy summer season and beyond.

The post Transit Briefs: Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, TriMet, MBTA appeared first on Railway Age.

Total carloads for the week ending March 28, 2026, were 233,833 carloads, down 0.8% from the prior-year period, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 282,088 containers and trailers, up 1.6% from last year, according to the AAR.

Six of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2025. They included chemicals, up 2,027 carloads, to 36,589; petroleum and petroleum products, up 1,129 carloads, to 11,239; and grain, up 819 carloads, to 24,010. Commodity groups that posted declines included coal, down 5,295 carloads, to 57,636; nonmetallic minerals, down 1,186 carloads, to 30,174; and metallic ores and metals, down 406 carloads, to 20,201.

For the first 12 weeks of 2026, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 2,684,108 carloads, rising 4.2% from the same point last year; and 3,311,403 intermodal units, down 0.2% from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 12 weeks of this year was 5,995,511 carloads and intermodal units, a 1.7% increase over 2025.

North American rail volume for the week ending March 28, 2026, on nine reporting U.S., Canadian, and Mexican railroads totaled 342,214 carloads, dipping 2.1% from the same week last year, and 371,548 intermodal units, gaining 0.8% over last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America came in at 713,762 carloads and intermodal units, down 0.6%. North American rail volume for the first 12 weeks of this year was 8,245,424 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.8% from 2025.

For the week ending March 28, 2026, Canadian railroads reported 94,298 carloads, falling 2.4%, and 73,994 intermodal units, dropping 4.8% compared with the same week in 2025. For the first 12 weeks of this year, they reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 1,932,183 carloads, containers, and trailers, up 0.9%.

Mexican railroads reported 14,083 carloads for the week ending March 28, 2026, an 18.5% decrease compared with the same week last year, and 15,466 intermodal units, a 16.9% gain over last year. Their cumulative volume for the first 12 weeks of this year was 317,730 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, rising 10.2% from the same point in 2025.

Further Reading:

• AAR: North American Rail Volume Up Slightly Through Week 11
• AAR: U.S. Rail Traffic Up for Fourth Consecutive Week

The post AAR: U.S. Rail Traffic Flat for Week 12 appeared first on Railway Age.

CSX 2025-csx-annual-reportDownload

CSX on March 30 reported issuing a 2025 Annual Report (above), outlining two “landmark” projects—its completion and reopening of Baltimore’s Howard Street Tunnel and the rebuilding of 60 miles of the Blue Ridge Subdivision—and citing improved safety and other efforts. This follows the Class I’s fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 financial report, released in January.

“2025 was a challenging year for CSX,” Steve Angel wrote in the report’s letter to shareholders. “Severe weather disruptions and the simultaneous execution of two large-scale infrastructure projects constrained our network early in the year, and a soft freight environment and unplanned customer closures offered little support. Revenue declined 3% on flat volume, operating margin decreased 400 basis points and adjusted operating margin contracted 360 basis points. Earnings per diluted share decreased to $1.54, with adjusted earnings per diluted share at $1.61. These results fell short of our expectations. But our employees accomplished a great deal in 2025 that positions this railroad for stronger operational and financial performance in 2026. They delivered two of the most consequential infrastructure projects in CSX’s recent history, recovered service performance through the second half of the year, and improved safety across the network.”

Among the report’s key highlights:

CSX said it made progress across “core priorities” in 2025, including:

• “Delivering major infrastructure projects: CSX reopened Baltimore’s Howard Street Tunnel after a [$450 million] major expansion [project] that cleared a long-standing bottleneck on the I-95 corridor and will enable double-stack intermodal service through Baltimore once remaining clearance work is completed in early 2026. The company also rebuilt 60 miles of the Blue Ridge Subdivision after Hurricane Helene flooding and restored full service in under a year. CSX also cited completion of the 75th Street CREATE Flyover in Chicago, which eliminated a key chokepoint in the nation’s busiest rail hub.
• “Improving safety performance: CSX reported its 2025 Federal Railroad Administration personal injury frequency index improved 24% from the prior year to 0.94 and its train accident rate improved 13% to 3.08. The company also highlighted technology deployments such as its Mobile Collision Safety system and expanded use of autonomous electric shuttles at select terminals.
• “Strengthening service through the back half: CSX said network performance improved as early-year disruptions cleared, with fourth-quarter results showing average network velocity up 7% and terminal dwell improved 13% from the prior year, while carload trip plan performance increased 9% and intermodal trip plan performance rose 8%.
• “Advancing growth initiatives: CSX added 85 new or expanded rail-served facilities in 2025 and said it had approximately 600 customer-related development projects in various stages across its network. The railroad also pointed to new and expanded intermodal and interchange agreements designed to broaden market access.”

CSX’s 2025 Annual Report also includes the railroad’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2025, along with other information on safety, service, growth, sustainability, and governance.

Further Reading:

• CSX 4Q, Full-Year ’25: ‘Challenging Year’
• CSX opens the TRANSFLO Petersburg Terminal (part of Class I Briefs)
• CSX Adds 21 Properties to ‘Select Site’ Program
• For CSX, $670MM Power Upgrade Order

UP (Courtesy of UP)

“Congratulations to our North Platte West Shop on 5 years injury free,” UP reported via social media on March 31. “This milestone doesn’t happen by chance—it happens when teams support each other, share knowledge and look out for each other every day.” The team, it noted, “truly leads with care and collaboration.”

The shop is part of the Class I’s Bailey Yard, which was named for former UP President Edd H. Bailey and covers approximately 2,850 acres. Also part of the yard complex is the non-profit Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center, an eight-story building overlooking the railroad staging area that is open to the public year-round.

In December, UP’s Chicago Service Unit celebrated working more than 365 days injury-free.

The railroad closed 2025 with what Chief Safety Officer Rod Doerr recently reported was “the best employee safety record in our history, improving 24% from 2024.” That progress, he said, “reflects years of practical, field-driven change across the railroad.”

Further Reading:

• UP: Practical Teamwork, Real Impact
• Thousands of Union Pacific Employees Weigh in on Safety Culture Assessment

The post Class I Briefs: CSX, UP appeared first on Railway Age.