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CSX

CSX leaders joined project partners and community stakeholders on March 5 for the groundbreaking of Chick fil A Supply’s new distribution center in Winter Haven, “marking the start of construction on a major logistics investment in Central Florida.”

(CSX)

Aubrey Brown, Senior Manager of Industrial Development, and Ann Markivich, Terminal Manager, represented CSX at the event, which celebrated a key development milestone for the region’s growing logistics sector.

“This event is an important step forward for Chick fil A Supply, CSX and the region’s logistics ecosystem,” Brown said. “By combining strategic rail access with strong state and local partnerships, we’re able to deliver reliable, efficient transportation solutions for our customer and add long term revenue to our business.”

The planned 244,000-square-foot logistics operations center represents more than $150 million in capital investment by Chick fil A Supply. The project is supported through partnerships among CSX, the Winter Haven Economic Development Council and the State of Florida.

Located at the Central Florida Integrated Logistics Park, the facility is expected to create approximately 180 jobs and support the receiving, storage, and delivery of products to Chick fil A restaurants across Florida, according to CSX. Operations are planned to begin in 2027.

Once operational, the CSX-served facility will support statewide distribution while contributing to the continued growth of Central Florida as a logistics hub, the Class I noted. According to Area Development, the Winter Haven site reflects Chick fil A Supply’s broader strategy to expand its supply chain network in the Southeast.

The project, the Class I says, “underscores rail’s role in supporting large scale logistics investments and demonstrates how CSX delivers value through strategic customer alignment, infrastructure access, and efficient long haul transportation solutions.”

NS

NS 8184 recently made its first run out of Roanoke, leading the Class I’s historic NS 32 research car, the Class I announced via social media.

The newest unit in NS’s Landmark Series, the Altoona, is equipped with Automated Track Geometry Measurement Systems (ATGMS).

Developed and deployed by Team NS, ATGMS uses lasers and sensors to measure track geometry in real time and detect changes that could indicate potential defects before they become issues, NS said. “It increases inspection frequency without adding extra equipment or disrupting operations—helping us enhance safety, boost efficiency, and keep trains moving.”

“We’re already operating ATGMS‑equipped locomotives on key corridors, including the mainline between Norfolk, Va., and Portsmouth, Ohio—chosen for its diverse terrain and operating conditions. We’re continuing to refine and expand this technology across our network.”

(Photo by NS Conductor Sam Phillips)

“Spot a locomotive with lights shining underneath it like this one? That’s ATGMS in action,” NS Noted.

“NS 32 supports our Engineering team on special projects, including testing emerging technologies and validating track performance across our network. Built in 1930 as New York Central Business Car 1—later Penn Central 1 and then Southern 25 R2—it has seen nearly a century of railroad history. Today, it’s helping advance safety and track inspection,” NS said.

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

Special announcement gauge H0

The long-established Göppingen-based company Leonhard Weiss, our partner for the Model Railway Days and the inspiration for many Märklin models, is expanding its rail fleet with the Euro9000, currently the most powerful locomotive on the European market. Naturally, Märklin/Trix are adding the model to their ranges!

The completely redesigned dual-power locomotive class 2019 in Leonhard Weiss colors is available exclusively from Märklin and Trix and impresses with the latest technology and high-quality details.

• Switchable shunting and special signals,
• Buffer storage,
• Four separately digitally controllable pantographs,
• Numerous switchable lights are just a few of the highlights that make this highly detailed metal model a special locomotive.

Just as impressive as the prototype, which has been on the rails since January, the model will be on the move on model railroaders' layouts.

Expand your Märklin and Trix x ‘Leonhard Weiss’ collection with this exclusive model. Simply, Pre-Order yours today!

Ocean transportation and logistics services firm Matson Inc. has partnered with BNSF and lock manufacturer War–Lok on what it describes as “an enhanced cargo security program that will add two layers of protection to the majority of its international intermodal cargo at no cost to customers.” The program is slated to begin in second-quarter 2026.

The move is in response “to the rise of theft from intermodal cargo industrywide,” Matson reported March 2.

According to the Honolulu-based firm, the first layer of protection is deploying War–Lok security devices on every international container moving from Los Angeles to all BNSF network destinations, including Chicago, Memphis, and Dallas. The second layer of protection: Under a new agreement with BNSF, Matson containers will be positioned in the lower well of international intermodal railcars from Los Angeles to Chicago. The same protection will apply to cargo moving through the Chicago gateway to select Eastern U.S. destinations up to the BNSF interchange point, according to Matson.  

bnsf-network-mapDownload

“We’re raising the bar with what we believe to be the most comprehensive carrier-led intermodal security program in the market—setting a new standard for cargo protection,” said John Lauer, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Matson. “For key destinations encompassing the majority of our inland intermodal markets, Matson customers will receive these enhanced security measures at no additional charge. While no security system can eliminate all risk, these added measures significantly reduce exposure to theft and reinforce Matson’s commitment to protecting customer cargo throughout the inland journey.”

Matson Shipping Routes Map (Courtesy of Matson)

Matson noted that it operates two expedited services in the Transpacific trade lane. Its China-Long Beach Express (CLX) and Matson Asia Express (MAX) services each provide weekly departures with what it said are “industry leading ocean transit times from China and key Southeast Asia origins, as well as unmatched destination services with same or next-day freight availability including 100% wheeled operations at its off-dock container yards.”

Additionally, Matson subsidiary Matson Logistics works with all Class I railroads to “design and execute efficient and flexible programs for a broad base of shippers,” according to Matson. It said that partnerships with Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, BNSF, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, Ferromex, CSX, and CN provide direct service into, out of, and within Mexico (download Matson Logistics company profile below).

Further Reading:

• CSX Cuts Memphis Cargo Theft By More Than 80% (part of Class I Briefs)
• AAR: Cargo Theft on the Rise
• Union Pacific Enhances Cargo Security on Numerous Fronts
• U.S. Rail Cargo Thefts Don’t Need to Happen

Matson_Logistics_Company_ProfileDownload

The post Matson, BNSF, War-Lok Team on Cargo Security appeared first on Railway Age.

RailPros

Irving, Texas-based RailPros announced March 5 that Gorden Rumpff has joined the company as Vice President, Mexico Operations, overseeing operations for RailPros de Mexico. He will be based out of the company’s Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico office, but will manage RailPros de Mexico’s entire footprint.

“Mexico remains a key growth market for RailPros,” said RailPros President and CEO Kendall Koff. “Gorden’s extensive experience leading complex, international rail programs positions us well to scale our operations and deliver greater value to clients throughout Mexico and North America.”

Rumpff has more than two decades of experience in complex, multicultural projects on freight, industrial, and passenger rail projects. He has contributed to projects that shaped the rail industry in Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East. Rumpff is a civil and industrial engineer, with a proven track record of excellence for projects that include sustainable infrastructure innovation, cross-cultural teams and communication, and multimodal impact.

“I am truly grateful to join RailPros,” said Rumpff. “Mexico’s rail sector is full of energy and opportunity, and I’m excited to build a strong local team while serving as a bridge between Mexico, the U.S., and Europe—connecting expertise, cultures, and opportunities to create lasting impact.”

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Transport and Water Management from the University of Applied Science – Potsdam, Germany and a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Engineering with a Logistics Management focus, from the University of Applied Science HTW Berlin. Rumpff is fluent in German, English, and Spanish.

HNTB

Daniel F. Burke, PE, SE, has joined HNTB as a Senior Group Director and Vice President in the firm’s Chicago office. With more than 30 years of experience spanning public service and private industry, Burke will oversee delivery of complex transportation programs and support client relationships across the region.

“Dan’s experience reflects a lifelong commitment to public infrastructure and the communities it serves,” said Albert Sosa, PE, Illinois Office Leader and Senior Vice President at HNTB. “He understands the complexity of delivering large-scale transportation programs and the importance of strong coordination among agencies, stakeholders and industry partners. His leadership and collaborative approach will further strengthen our ability to serve clients throughout the Chicago region.”

Prior to joining HNTB, Burke served as Managing Deputy Commissioner and Chief Engineer for the Chicago Department of Transportation, where he helped oversee a $600 million annual capital program. In that role, he coordinated across departments and with the Mayor’s Office to advance the city’s transportation capital plan, with responsibility for roadways, bridges, transit facilities, shoreline protection, lighting and traffic signal engineering and construction management.

Earlier in his tenure with the Chicago Department of Transportation, Burke held several leadership roles, including Deputy Commissioner and Chief Bridge Engineer. He oversaw major capital improvement initiatives and complex, multiagency projects that required careful staging, stakeholder coordination and uninterrupted transit and roadway operations. Throughout his career, he has developed strong working relationships with local, state and federal partners to facilitate the successful implementation of critical infrastructure programs.

At HNTB, Burke will help guide project delivery across multiple disciplines, “ensuring seamless coordination and high performance in the execution of complex projects and programs.” He will also drive the firm’s project delivery processes while partnering with clients on major transportation initiatives across the Chicago region.

“I’m honored to join HNTB at such a pivotal time for Chicago’s infrastructure,” Burke said. “Chicago has been central to my career, and I’ve been fortunate to work alongside dedicated public and private sector leaders committed to moving our region forward. I’m eager to build on that foundation at HNTB, bringing teams together, tackling complex challenges and delivering projects that make a tangible difference in how people live, work and travel every day.”

The post People News: RailPros, HNTB appeared first on Railway Age.

“Lunar New Year peak activity may materialize as a non-traditional, post-holiday volume increase,” said Paul Brashier, Vice President of Global Supply Chain for ITS Logistics. “These volumes, combined with adverse weather throughout North America, evolving geopolitical tensions, cargo theft, and trucking capacity exits, are escalating all regions to elevated concern.”

Tariff policy is once again top of mind for shippers following the US Supreme Court’s February ruling against POTUS 47’s International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs, according to the report. Immediately following the ruling, POTUS 47 announced he would be implementing a blanket 10% tariff under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, which allows the President to enact “temporary import surcharges” without Congressional approval for up to 150 days. The new so-called global tariffs went into effect on February 24. In an interview with CNBC on Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the United States “is expected to increase the tariff rate to 15% this week.” Per the New York Times, “key trading partners like the European Union have expressed frustration with the regulatory shuffle, claiming the new blanket rate violates agreements made during last year’s extensive negotiations.”

“While this may not have an immediate impact on inbound planned volumes, it could change sourcing strategies and create bottlenecks in certain origin markets,” Brashier said.

“Compounding these concerns are escalating tensions in Middle Eastern maritime corridors following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which could further disrupt global shipping networks,” according to the report. “Attacks against ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz have driven major ocean carriers to immediately reroute vessels around the southern tip of Africa, extending travel time and creating cascading supply chain disruptions. Maritime insurance carriers have also begun canceling war-risk coverage and increasing premiums for the region. [POTUS 47] has offered early reassurances that the US will provide political risk insurance and potential naval protection for the sake of protecting this strategically critical corridor that serves as a chokepoint for 20% of the world’s crude oil supply.”

The Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has stated that, as of Tuesday, “traffic through the canal and adjoining Red Sea is moving normally.” However, industry experts speaking this week at the Journal of Commerce’s TPM26 conference stressed that the coming days “will be critical to understanding whether Houthi military operations in the region will lead to wider shipping disruptions and increased costs.”

With the exception of these affected routes, ocean container booking costs “remain well below normal levels in both the spot and contract markets,” according to the report. The Journal of Commerce reports that current rates and trend forecasting are “causing shippers and ocean carriers to delay signing contracts, anticipating further rate decreases.”

“Against the backdrop of renewed geopolitical uncertainty, container volumes for February were beginning to show signs of stabilization,” ITS Logistics reported. “US container imports totaled 2,318,722 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in January, up 4.1% month-over-month but down 6.8% compared to 2025. The trends indicate a typical seasonal rebound from the holiday slowdown but still reflect relatively flat overall demand. Imports from China increased 9.3% month-over-month in January but remained down 22.7% compared to the same period last year, per Descartes. At the same time, sourcing diversification across Southeast Asia accelerated, with imports from India rising 22%, Vietnam increasing 4.8%, and Thailand climbing 8.6% as companies adjusted procurement strategies to mitigate tariff exposure in China. With the IEEPA framework now replaced by uniform tariff rates, it is yet to be seen whether this diversification will continue.”

Outside of the ports, “rail theft reemerges as a top concern in freight fraud conversations.” Major rail corridors near Los Angeles, Chicago, and Memphis have been identified as high-risk locations for container tampering on rail, as organized crime groups increasingly target intermodal freight moving inland on isolated spans of track, according to a report from BSI Consulting.

“Driver regulation efforts continue with several legislative developments moving through state and federal legislatures,” according to the report. The proposed Dalilah’s Law, a Congressional bill which would codify many guidelines within the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Final Ruling issued in February, “would restrict commercial license eligibility to US citizens, lawful permanent residents, and a narrow set of visa holders.” The bill would also require all CDL tests to be administered in English, with a mandatory recertification process for all license holders to be completed within 180 days of the bill’s passing. “Industry analysts forecast that—while actual estimates and timelines vary—the removal of affected drivers from the capacity pool will likely place upward pressure on rates,” according to the ITS Logistics report.

“Between the pressures of capacity exits, rising operating costs, and market volatility, shippers should be prepared for inland capacity cost increases during this RFP cycle, especially from smaller capacity providers,” said Brashier.

ITS Logistics each month releases the ITS Logistics U.S. Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index, which forecasts port container and dray operations for the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf regions. Ocean and domestic container rail ramp operations are also highlighted in the index for both the West Inland and East Inland regions.

The post ITS Logistics Issues March Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index appeared first on Railway Age.

Nearly 400 representatives from Class I’s and short lines to suppliers, contractors, and the associations that represent them advocated for the freight rail industry on March 4 at Railroad Day on Capitol Hill—a tradition that spans more than 25 years.

The participants met with more than 330 congressional offices to share their stories and “to ensure elected officials understand their perspective when considering important legislation that affects the freight railroad industry,” according to event host American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), which was one of eight associations participating, along with the Association of American Railroads, National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association, Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association, Railway Supply Institute, Railway Systems Suppliers Inc., Railway Tie Association, and GoRail.

Railroad Day on Capitol Hill participants met with (clockwise from top left) Representative Blake Moore (center) of Utah, Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (third from right) of Mississippi, Representative Frank Pallone (right) of New Jersey, and Representative Adriano Espaillat (center) of New York. (Caption and Photographs Courtesy of ASLRRA)

At the meetings, industry representatives focused on four key points, calling on Congress to:

1. “Update tax policies that incentivize private investment in infrastructure.
2. “Guarantee full and consistent funding for federal rail safety grants and encourage the innovation and deployment of safety-enhancing technology.
3. “Accelerate speed to build, advancing permitting reforms that provide greater transparency and predictability while ensuring timely, focused environmental reviews.
4. “Restore the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) to a user-based system and oppose increases to truck size and weight limits.”

“The services our industry delivers support tens of thousands of shippers nationwide, helping businesses stay competitive and keeping prices affordable for American families,” ASLRRA President Chuck Baker said. “Railroad Day on Capitol Hill puts a face on the businesses and communities that Congressional actions will impact, making connections that will be invaluable to the industry and to Congress as it considers legislation that will produce powerful outcomes for the public.” 

(UP Photograph)

Union Pacific (UP) was among those that sent a delegation to Washington, D.C. The 17 members from the Public Affairs, Environment, Operations, Communications, and Marketing and Sales departments met with numerous congressional members and their staff. They discussed, among other things, “ways in which the federal permitting process can be streamlined to speed up infrastructure projects and how America’s freight railroads are vital to the country’s economic development,” according to the railroad.

“Strong public policies that support the rail industry are not just good for railroads, they also provide critical support to the nation’s supply chain and the businesses and consumers who rely upon railroads to deliver their products,” said Andrew Brady, Vice President-External Relations for UP. “This was also a great opportunity to educate our country’s leaders about the merger and how it will increase competition in the nation’s supply chain.”

Following are highlights from the event.

“This week, CN teams from various functions had a chance to speak with U.S. lawmakers in Washington D.C. during the 2026 Railroad Day on the Hill hosted by the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association,” CN shared via social media. “This was an opportunity to share our story and connect with lawmakers to flag important railroad legislation issues. Thank you to all the organizers and participants for the great conversations!” (Courtesy of CN) “The G&W team was out in force at American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s Railroad Day on the Hill yesterday [March 4]!” Genesee & Wyoming reported via social media. “The group collectively met with roughly 200 different offices on Capitol Hill to help elected officials understand the issues at hand and the industry’s priorities as Congress begins to deliberate the Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill, tax issues and bigger trucks. #RailDay2026” (Courtesy of G&W) “Special thanks to Rep. Bruce Westerman for taking the time to meet with Patriot Rail, our short line colleagues, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, and rail partners today [March 4] during #RailDay2026 to discuss the important issues facing the freight rail industry” Patriot Rail reported via social media. “We appreciate the opportunity to share perspectives on how short line railroads help keep goods moving, support local economies, and strengthen our nation’s supply chain. #Infrastructure #EconomicDevelopment #TransportationPolicy #RailAdvocacy #KeepingAmericaMoving” (Courtesy of Patriot Rail)

The post Industry Marks Railroad Day on Capitol Hill appeared first on Railway Age.

A group of rebuilt F40PH locomotives is entering service on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Commuter Rail, part of a new fleet of lease units owned by Rolling Stock Solutions. 

The average age of commuter rail locomotives in the U.S is 28 years, according to Rolling Stock Solutions CEO Phil Puccia, and many agencies are looking to upgrade their fleets. But acquiring and building new locomotives can take years, so RSS purchased a small fleet of former Amtrak F40PH locomotives (12 in total) and has been rebuilding them at Metro East Industries in East St. Louis, Ill.

“The F40PH was probably one of the most widely used locomotives in the country, and so we wanted to be able to provide a locomotive that the mechanical and operations people already knew,” Puccia told Railway Age. “The F40PH is basically the Toyota Camry of locomotives.”

The first unit went into service on MBTA earlier this year, and Puccia said additional units will be entering service in the coming weeks and months. Other transit agencies have also expressed interest in RSS’ locomotives. 

—Justin Franz 

The post New F40 Lease Fleet Enters Service on MBTA appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

CN (CN Photograph)

February 2026 was the best February on record for grain movement at CN, the Class I reported March 5. Shipping more than 2.67 million metric tons (MMT) of grain from Western Canada, CN said it “continued to demonstrate its ability to meet heightened seasonal demand during peak grain shipping periods.”

As grain volumes typically accelerate through the winter months following harvest, CN said is “position[ing] resources and work[ing] with its grain customers and supply chain partners to support farmers in efficiently getting Canadian grain to domestic and global markets.”

(Courtesy of CN)

The railroad recently reported that January 2026 was its “second-best” January on record for grain movement. It shipped more than 2.72 MMT of grain from Western Canada, down slightly from the 2.85 MMT “all-time record” set in January 2020.

CN said it continues to execute its winter operations plan.

Separately, CPKC on March 3 reported moving 2.232 MMT of Canadian grain and grain products in February, beating its previous February tonnage record set in 2021. Last month’s 23,088 carloads also set a new February monthly record, surpassing the previous high also set in February 2021, it noted.

cn-2025-irap-enDownload

Meanwhile, following the November 2024 release of its first Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan (IRAP) 2025-2027, CN on March 4 shared an update on the progress it has achieved and the priorities ahead around five pillars:

1. Cultural Awareness and Employee Engagement.
2. People and Employment.
3. Economic Reconciliation.
4. Community Engagement and Relationships.
5. Environmental Stewardship, Safety and Sustainability.

“At CN, we respectfully acknowledge that our railway was built and continues to be operated on many traditional territories and treaty areas of Indigenous Peoples,” the railroad noted on the “Strengthening Our Ties With Indigenous Communities” section of its website. “CN’s network spans nearly 20,000 miles across Turtle Island (North America). We operate within or adjacent to more than 220 reserve lands of nearly 130 First Nations and Métis communities in Canada and seven tribal reservations in the United States. We are grateful for the privilege of working and residing on these lands. We recognize and honor the original people who continue to serve as the traditional stewards of the land.”

CN in its new 2025 IRAP Annual Report (see, top) confirms the delivery of 20 of the 24 actions scheduled for completion. Among them: completing the curriculum for new national cultural awareness training; developing land acknowledgements for all CN locations and making them accessible to employees; finalizing a multi-year, companywide indigenous employment strategy; and communicating Indigenous procurement goals and expectations to Tier 1 suppliers. According to CN, two actions were rescheduled for 2026 and two targets were “recalibrated based on lessons learned and economic conditions.” The railroad also reported completing ahead of schedule two actions originally planned for 2026 and 2027.

“Our progress reflects our commitment to listen, learn, and act with transparency and humility,” CN President and CEO Tracy Robinson said. “Several milestones marked this year’s success, demonstrating that reconciliation is not a destination but a journey that requires engagement and accountability. While we are proud of the progress we have made, we remain determined to continue to challenge ourselves and remain focused on building stronger relationships with Indigenous communities.”

Beyond the formal IRAP commitments, CN said that it continued to build relationships and deepen engagement by:

• Holding more than 500 meetings and consultations with Indigenous partners, including eight formal consultation processes.
• Participating in more than 240 Indigenous community events.
• Delivering of more than 15 in-person rail safety and emergency response training sessions.
• Supporting more than 170 Indigenous communities and organizations through different sponsorships and donations.

Separately, CN has launched two commemorative locomotives—moving tributes marking the 250th anniversary of the United States signing of the Declaration of Independence. Both units are expected to operate across the railroad’s U.S. network throughout 2026, “offering employees, customers and rail enthusiasts an opportunity to participate in the celebration.”

CSX (Screen grab from CSX video)

CSX last month hosted its 35th Annual Short Line Conference in Jacksonville, Fla., welcoming more than 130 partners.

The Class I, which connects with more than 240 small roads, highlighted “operational excellence, commercial strategy and collaboration” at the event. CSX President and CEO Steve Angel opened the conference with a keynote address, followed by a leadership panel focused on service improvement and operational innovation. Additional sessions covered market outlook, legal and government affairs updates, industrial development, and a short line success story, culminating in the annual CSX Short Line Awards.

“The awards celebrate short line partners who demonstrate strong operational performance, a shared focus on safety and service, and a commitment to supporting customer growth across the CSX network,” CSX reported March 4. “Winners were selected based on net carload growth, percentage carload growth, and switch road growth.”

The following short lines were recognized:

• Columbus & Ohio River Rail Road (a Genesee & Wyoming subsidiary)
• Decatur & Eastern Illinois Railroad (a Watco subsidiary)
• Effingham Railroad (a Regional Rail LLC subsidiary)
• Falls Road Railroad (a Genesee Valley Transportation Co. subsidiary)
• MG Rail (a Consolidated Grain and Barge Co. subsidiary)
• Newburgh & South Shore Railroad (an OmniTRAX affiliate)
• Savannah & Old Fort Railroad (a Watco subsidiary)
• Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway (a Genesee & Wyoming subsidiary)
• West Virginia Central Railroad (owned and overseen by the West Virginia Division of Multimodal Transportation Facilities Rail Section)

(Screen grab from CSX video)

“This year’s award recipients exemplify what it means to be a strong CSX partner,” noted Ryan Higgins, Vice President of Sales and Marketing-Industrial Products at CSX. “Their dedication to safety, service, and collaboration helps drive shared success for our customers and communities.”

Watch a video showcasing all the award presentation photographs below:

In other CSX news, the railroad recently reported cutting cargo theft by more than 80% in Memphis and modernizing its data platform with Infosys and Microsoft.

Separately, Railway Age late last month named it 2026 Short Line and Regional Railroads of the Year.

UP (UP Photograph)

Evergreen Shipping Agency has named UP as its 2025 Rail Vendor of the Year, the Class I reported March 4 via social media. “We are proud to deliver award-winning, reliable intermodal service our customers can count on,” UP noted.

Evergreen Shipping Agency (America) Corp. is the North America general agent for ocean carrier Evergreen Line, providing customer service, sales, marketing, logistics and administrative support.

Separately, UP and Heartland Co-op recently celebrated the first train loading at the new Millerton, Iowa, facility. Also, UP announced last month that it signed a $1.2 billion agreement with Wabtec to modernize UP AC4400 locomotives and that its Big Boy No. 4014 will make 27 whistle-stops during the western leg of its coast-to-coast tour.

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

Telos Advisers

Telos Advisers on March 4 announced that Felicia Alexander has joined the company as Senior Director. She is a nationally recognized leader and subject matter expert in infrastructure pre-development and capital funding strategy.

Prior to joining Telos, Alexander served as Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), where she advanced national initiatives focused on mobility, safety, and economic competitiveness. She also held senior leadership roles at the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Alexander played a key leadership role overseeing the FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program, the federal government’s primary funding source for major transit expansion and modernization projects nationwide. Earlier in her career, she served as Deputy Director and Division Chief at the Maryland State Highway Administration, where she managed $5.4 billion under the state’s six-year Consolidated Transportation Program.

“The entire team at Telos is thrilled to welcome Felicia. She understands how federal programs operate, how projects compete for funding, and what it takes to move initiatives from concept to implementation. Our clients will benefit immediately from her insight and leadership,” said Telos co-founders Eric Daleo and Megan Strickland.

At Telos, Alexander’s work will focus on complex project funding strategy, project management, infrastructure development, and transit-oriented development strategy.

“I understand the complexity of advancing major capital programs in today’s funding environment,” said Alexander. “Telos provides practical, experience-driven guidance to clients navigating complex transportation and infrastructure projects, and I’m proud to join a team with significant public-sector executive experience.”

Alexander’s appointment, the company says, “reflects Telos’ continued commitment to providing clients with the perspective of former senior transportation and infrastructure executives who have led public agencies and delivered major capital programs firsthand,” including former Federal Transit Administration Associate Administrator for Program Management Bruce Robinson, who joined the firm in 2025. Last month, Telos welcomed former Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner to its Strategic Advisory Board.

DART

To celebrate Women’s History Month, COMTO named 10 transit leaders Trailblazing the transportation industry in their annual “Women Who Move the Nation,” Awards, including DART President and CEO Nadine Lee.

Lee and the nine other transportation leaders will be honored at the 15th annual COMTO awards ceremony on April 15 in Washington, D.C.

“It is an honor to represent DART and the North Texas community as I’m recognized alongside my peers in the transportation industry,” said Lee. “The role of transit is more than moving people from point a to point b. Transit represents access, freedom, and mobility for people and communities.”

Lee joined DART as President and CEO in 2021 from Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) where she served as Chief of Staff.

In her time at DART, Lee has focused the agency on the Point B initiative, a 10-year strategic approach “to ensure DART is the first-in-mind mobility partner for North Texans.” The first Point B Annual Report, published in 2025, shows significant progress toward agency goals including opening the 26-mile Silver Line commuter rail, advancing $110 million in security and cleanliness contracts, and launching DART Transform, a $2.5 billion system-modernization program. 

Denver RTD

Civil rights, equity, and regulatory compliance leader Kellie Irving has been selected as Director of RTD’s Civil Rights Division, effective March 16, following a national search.

Her career spans more than two decades across major public agencies, transportation authorities, health care organizations, and municipal governments. In this pivotal leadership role, she will “develop, plan, direct, and manage the operations of the division, which is responsible for furthering Civil Rights goals through programmatic strategy development and implementation, training, community outreach, regulatory compliance, and complaint investigation.”

She will report to the Deputy CEO, with a dotted line to the General Manager and CEO in her role as the Accountable Executive with ultimate responsibility for carrying out the agency’s Civil Rights program as required by the FTA.

Irving is respected for her leadership in Title VI and VII, ADA Title II and III, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE), and socioeconomic program implementation. “She is a lifelong advocate for equitable access and inclusive opportunity and has built a reputation for transforming compliance programs into engines of transparency, accountability, and community impact,” the agency noted.

“My career in regulatory compliance has been an exciting journey, defined by a deep respect for fairness and transparency,” Irving said. “Through years of honing my craft across this great nation in different states and agencies, I have learned that while governance is visionary and leadership is necessary, our employees are priceless, and the citizens are the reason we serve. I am truly honored to have been selected as Director of the Civil Rights Division for RTD. As a dedicated public administrator, I commit myself to the Denver community with a standard of excellence and a heart for service.”

Irving served most recently as Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity for the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration, where she oversaw compliance with federal, state, and local civil rights laws; managed a team of 20 professionals; and directed a $1.5 million departmental budget. Prior to that, Irving was DBE Program Manager for the Maryland Transit Solutions Joint Venture, supporting the $2.3 billion Purple Line project. She led DBE program guidance, staff supervision, outreach, and all written project communications, ensuring certified firms had meaningful access to contracting opportunities.

From 2022 to 2024, Irving served as Deputy Assistant Director for the Houston Airports System Office of Business Opportunity, where she directed Minority and Women, Small, and Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprise (MW/S/PDBE) and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) compliance for one of the nation’s largest airport systems. Earlier roles include Manager of Regulatory Compliance and Civil Rights for Long Beach Transit; DBE Administrator for the San Mateo County (California) Transportation Authority; Compliance Director for the Consolidated Government of Augusta, Georgia; and Diversity Programs Director for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana.

In addition to her public sector leadership, Irving has extensive entrepreneurial experience as Principal Consultant of Taylor Sloane & Associates, a boutique consulting firm specializing in diversity, affirmative action, government relations, and community engagement. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration with an emphasis in Urban Administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills. She also holds certificates in Spanish for Public Service, Alternative Dispute Resolution – Mediation, OSHA Construction Safety, and Plan Reading.

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The Center for Railroad Photography & Art‘s annual conference visits Indianapolis from April 24 to 26, featuring yet another great lineup of railroad image makers to headline one of the hobby’s marquee events. Festivities kick off on Friday evening with a ride aboard the Nickel Plate Express in nearby Noblesville, which will feature appetizers, drinks, and a photo runby at the halfway point. Then on Saturday and Sunday, the event moves to a beautiful new conference space at the Indiana History Center in Indianapolis. For more information and to register for the event, visit the conference page on CRP&A’s website. The event is filling up quickly, so register today. In the meantime, enjoy a preview of Conversations 2026 courtesy of CRP&A and Railfan & Railroad…

 

Darryl Bond: Five Passes – Better Living Through Rail Photography Darryl Bond will share five life lessons he learned while photographing trains from five mountain passes in California, New Zealand, China, Switzerland, and Chile. In his presentation, “Five Passes: Better Living Through Rail Photography,” he’ll show that photographing trains isn’t just about recording slices of history… It’s a hobby, a passion, a creative outlet, and even an addiction. Born in New Zealand, Bond has been taking pictures of trains since he was 11. He spent most of his career working for an American software company, spending twenty years in Australia, the US, and Europe before returning home ten years ago. Since starting a New Zealand railway magazine in 2020 as a pandemic lockdown project, he has made zero progress on restoring his 1955 six-axle diesel-electric. Jeff Mast: Working with Difficult or Lacking Lighting Jeff Mast of Canton, Michigan, has been actively photographing for nearly 55 years. His presentation, “Working with difficult or lacking lighting,” will examine his love of sunrise, sunset, and blue-hour lighting conditions, as well as available low-light, time-exposure, and flashbulb opportunities. He’ll share a look at his early film work, evolving through the changes and creativity available following his switch to digital cameras in 2005. Mast retired from municipal engineering in 2012, and again from an engineering consulting firm in 2024. He has written numerous published articles; his images have won numerous awards and populate many books. He enjoys all aspects of photography, however low, interesting lighting, steam and great lakes boats and lighthouses hold a large part of his interest. David R. Busse: Let Me Tell You a Story After four decades in the television news business, David R. Busse discovered there’s always a good story to go with an image, whether a still photo or video. His presentation, “Let Me Tell You a Story,” highlights a career of telling stories to a variety of audiences, mixing pictures, words, and sounds with a lifelong interest in trains. Busse grew up in suburban St. Louis and earned his first photographic credit in Trains magazine as a high school senior; he’s contributed to many railroad publications and video programs over the years. Professionally, he spent four decades of “boots on the ground” local and network broadcast journalism covering everything from Olympics and politics to natural disasters, war, civil unrest, and big court cases. He lives in Northwest Montana and maintains a winter home in Southern California. Jennifer Al-Beik: Making My Track

Jennifer Al-Beik will present “Making My Track…”, discussing her progress as a photographer and sharing photographs she has taken during her railfanning experiences—including favorite shots as well as those that document the progress of the Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway, where she volunteers. Al-Beik has been an artist nearly all of her life, and a railfan/railroad photographer for about seven of those years; as a doctor of veterinary medicine, she builds resilience by exercising her creativity. She’s also a mom to a ten-year old who is a soccer player, offering her another photographic subject along with trains, animals, planes, and nature. “The world around me is indeed my inspiration,” she writes. “To take photos of what is here now … as someday it will not be.”

Robert West: Passion Born in Great Falls, Montana, Robert West is a full-time railroad artist and author who has dedicated 47 years to painting vivid, highly detailed portraits of North American railroading. As a direct descendant of Pullman Porters and “Gandy Dancers,” he brings a deep understanding of railroading and the hardworking individuals who built its legacy to his art and lectures. In his presentation, “Passion,” Robert will explain the technical aspects of his paintings, shedding light on the creative and metaphorical significance embedded in his works. His approach is designed to provide audiences with a deeper understanding of both his art and the stories behind railroading.

 

David P. Oroszi’s Photo Collections 

In “Dave Oroszi’s Photo Collections,” David P. Oroszi will highlight images from many of his thirty-plus railroad photography collections, most of which have come from friends who’ve passed away. In choosing images, he has narrowed his presentation to draw from twenty collections from some of his closest friends. Born in 1948, Dave resides in Dayton, Ohio, and has always liked trains. He has co-authored nearly fifteen books on railroads, served as news editor of CTC Board magazine, and he’s run the annual Summerail photography event since 1996. He is the co-chairman of the Rail Festival at the Carillon Historical Park in Dayton since 2005, and he’s working with the park’s staff to restore a building that will house his collection, as well as the Dayton History collection.

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The Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) has released a request for proposals (RFP) for a flatcar training platform buildout, part of its Safety Train project. Submissions are due April 15, 2026.

The Safety Train project, announced last spring, is slated to help bolster the SLSI’s hazardous materials (hazmat) emergency response training, which is offered to short line and regional railroad employees and first responders.

The train will comprise a classroom railcar, tank car(s), and a flatcar with tank car valve and fitting configurations, allowing users to see the size and scale of and interact directly with the equipment they would encounter on the job or in an emergency, according to SLSI. It will be used to provide comprehensive hazmat training with both hands-on and classroom components.

The SLSI’s RFP No. 2026-001 is for the modification of an existing flatcar into a training platform “with multiple exhibits (props) affixed to the railcar deck, and in displays within 20-foot shipping containers,” according to the RFP (download below; see general layout design, top). “The completed project will provide an open, safe learning environment with safety railings, a non-slip painted deck surface, and stair access on both sides of the car. It will also include pre-wired electrical for lighting, fans, etc., powered by shore line supply provided by an adjacent boxcar classroom, or an on-board portable power generator. A removable lightweight, durable, all-weather sunshade on a guidewire system anchored between the two containers.”

SLSI-Flatcar-Training-Platform-RFP-3-2-26Download

Props or training aids will include:

• “Complete DOT105 ‘next gen’ housing commonly used in chlorine transportation. Includes two liquid valves, one vapor valve, and combination pressure relief device. Housing dome cover/lid with lift assist.
• “Complete DOT112 housing commonly used in LPG/Anhydrous Ammonia service. Includes two liquid valves, one vapor valve, pressure relief device, magnetic gauging device, sample line valve, and thermometer well. This housing will also show a representative view of the eduction tubes, sample line, thermometer well, and magnetic gauging device below the pressure plate … Magnetic gauging device trimmed to fit and functional. Ends of tubes to be sealed to prevent insect infestation. One liquid eduction tube to be tapped with common pneumatic fitting and drain valve for liquid or vapor leak simulation. Housing dome cover/lid with lift assist.
• “DOT 113 cryogenic fittings compartment … SLSI will provide the fittings compartment assembly to construction site. Bidder will need to finish the exterior enclosure with sheet metal and fabricate a mounting base. Paint to match project.
• “Compete DOT 117 housing commonly used in petroleum crude oil service. Includes liquid valve, vapor valve, pressure relief device, and vacuum relief valve. Housing dome cover/lid with lift assist.
• “Common acid/HCL assembly to include fittings plate, fill hole, liquid valve, air valve, and rupture disc assembly.
• “Legacy 111 display commonly used for diesel fuel service. Three main components to be placed in relationship to each other as seen on units in service.”

The RFP also includes a list of components that will be on display in the finished instructional areas of each of the containers. One container will house components relating to high pressure tank cars, and the other container will house components relating to general service tank cars. These components will be affixed to display tables that are free-standing lengthwise with the container.

SLSI Executive Director Tom Murta is the project lead. RFP questions are due April 5, 2026, and RFP submissions are due April 15, 2026. Bid selection is scheduled for April 30, 2026, and the project start date is May 15, 2026.

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Railway Age’s 2026 Short Line and Regional of the Year program recognizes two Honorees and two Honorable Mentions for outstanding achievement—from growing through strategic investment, providing top-notch service, and positioning themselves as technology innovators to delivering value to the industry, partners, customers and the local communities they serve each day. These small-road standouts were selected from more than 20 finalists in the United States and Canada.

Union County Industrial Railroad, a North Shore Railroad Company affiliate, and Georgia Central Railway, a Genesee & Wyoming subsidiary, are our Short Line and Regional Railroads of the Year, respectively. Earning Honorable Mention are Sierra Northern Railway (Short Line) and R. J. Corman Railroad Company’s Nashville & Eastern Railroad (Regional).

Inside the March 2026 issue, you’ll also find these feature stories:

• Not Your ‘Run of the Mill’ Gondolas — Improved carbody materials and innovative designs are transforming these long-lived warhorses into state-of-the-art railcars.

• Building Successful Industrial Development Spaces — Norfolk Southern and Watco provide prime examples of how railroads can attract manufacturing plants to their systems and grow business.

• Intermodal Focus: South Carolina Ports Authority — Now the No. 8 U.S. port by volume and still looking to grow, South Carolina Ports Authority boasts the deepest harbor on the East Coast and “can handle any ship, any tide, any time.”

• Collision Avoidance, the AI Way — Creating safer rail operations through artificial intelligence applications.

• Wheel/Rail Vertical Impact Force Measurement Comparison — MxV Rail’s study covers three key techniques: high-accuracy instrumented wheelsets, a new bearing adapter that blends force measurement with acceleration compensation, and a high-accuracy in-track bi-circuit.

Plus, Railway Age Capitol Hill Contributing Editor Frank Wilner profiles Michelle A. Shultz, the Surface Transportation Board’s “preordained ‘Energizer Bunny’”; Financial Editor David Nahass in a column and companion podcast talks with Trinity Industries Inc. CFO Eric Marchetto about the “ocean of capital chasing trains”; and John Hankey, Contributing Editor and railroad historian and preservation project consultant, explains why the Bicentennial of American Railroading should serve as a kind of awakening, as there is much to be gained, he says, by nesting railroading’s 200 years deeply within America’s 250.

These highlights and more can be accessed in Railway Age’s March 2026 digital edition:

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By bringing together ZEDAS (Germany), Railroad Software (USA), Raspberry Software (UK), and Automated Rail (USA), Waynova Group says the platform “delivers rail-focused software and hardware solutions to operators, infrastructure managers, and maintenance organizers.”

The Waynova Group rail platform spans:

• Asset management, maintenance planning and execution.
• Inspection and compliance documentation.
• Yard and rail transport management.
• Revenue protection and back-office services.
• Rail-specific hardware integration, including AEI and mobile field devices.

The unified structure, Waynova Group says, “strengthens product coordination and expertise across regions and products.” Existing customer relationships, contracts, and support teams remain unchanged. Waynova Group operates across North America and Europe, providing localized expertise with cross-regional collaboration and shared product direction.

“Strong rail software is built on deep process understanding. But real progress happens when depth meets scale, speed and specialization,” said Waynova Group CEO Jake Micsak. “By bringing our companies together, we create the foundation to evolve faster and support our customers even more effectively.”

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The plan (download below) “positions rail as a key driver of economic growth, freight mobility, passenger connectivity, and public safety,” according to NMDOT. “It advances strategic projects that will improve railroad crossing safety, reduce roadway congestion, enhance freight efficiency, and strengthen New Mexico’s competitiveness.”

“The 2026 State Rail Plan is a roadmap for strengthening New Mexico’s transportation future,” said NMDOT Executive Director of Modal Programs David Harris. “By aligning priority projects with federal funding opportunities, we are building a safer, more competitive rail network that supports communities and industry statewide.”

The plan, NMDOT says, prioritizes major grade separation and freight connectivity projects, including:

• Gallup – $44.89 million in Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) funding awarded for a railway-highway grade separation project. Construction start date pending.
• Texico – $73 million in FRA funding awarded for a grade separation project, anticipated to begin in 2030, in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation.
• Santa Teresa – $37 million in FRA funding awarded for project design and construction. Design is now under way.
• Clovis – $1 million in FRA funding awarded for project design, now under way. Construction funding is not yet identified.
• Farmington Freight Rail Connection – Continued planning for a proposed new freight rail link connecting Farmington to the national rail network. Timeline to be determined.

Inclusion in the State Plan, NMDOT says, “ensures these projects remain eligible for future FRA and other federal funding opportunities.”

By aligning state priorities with federal investment criteria, the 2026 State Rail Plan “strengthens New Mexico’s ability to secure national funding and deliver long-term rail improvements that enhance safety, mobility, and economic opportunity statewide,” NMDOT noted.

NMDOT_New_Mexico_State_Rail_Plan_FINAL_20260213Download

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The unusual. 'Coffin Berkshires'

Welcome to the second half of the 19th century, when the railroad was revolutionizing transportation in the United States of America at breathtaking speed and playing a central role in transforming the country into the land of opportunity. It was also a time of rapid development in steam locomotive construction. Driven by the mantra of creating ever bigger, more powerful, and faster designs, new loco types were often named after the areas in which they were used.
The construction of a machine that had four driving axles as well as one leading and one trailing axle represented a milestone in freight traffic. As well as improving the performance on curves, the design permitted a longer boiler design compared to the locos without leading or trailing axles. A larger firebox also delivered an extra performance boost. Since the driving axles were now in front of the firebox, they could be made larger, which, in turn, enabled higher speeds.

We are now offering this model (Märklin and Trix) as a completely new design with matching freight cars

Marklin/Trix Berkshire Southern Pacific  2-8-4 Steam Locomotive linked below;

Marklin Southern Pacific Freight Car Set and Caboose linked below;

Trix Southern Pacific Freight Car Set linked below;

Note: You can easily extend the Marklin Freight car set by adding the Trix Car Set. Conversely, one can extend teh Trix version by adding the Marklin Freight Car Set as well as the Caboose. One simply needs to change the Marklin Cars to DC wheels when running 2-Rail DC.

Pre-order these fantastic models now before they sell out. 

 Note: For US Customers, these will ship directly to them from Marklin, USA. 

 

A cosmetic restoration of a Northern Pacific S-4 class 4-6-0 is underway in Missoula, Mont. Locomotive 1356 has been on display next to the former NP (now BNSF Railway) yard near downtown Missoula since the 1950s, and now a local group is spearheading an effort to freshen the locomotive up. 

Locomotive 1356 was one of 40 S-4 class 4-6-0s that the NP purchased in 1902 from Baldwin. The engine was assigned to the Rocky Mountain Division and worked everything from express passenger trains to log trains. The engine was also used to rescue people during the infamous Big Burn of 1910, a wildfire that tore through eastern Washington, northern Idaho and western Montana, scorching 4,700 square miles and killing at least 87 people. 

The locomotive was retired in June 1954, after working as a helper over Evaro Hill west of Missoula. The engine was later sent to Tacoma, Wash., where it was nearly scrapped before being selected to be put on display in Missoula. Local railroaders tasked with finding a locomotive for the city were quick to select 1356, and one of them, roundhouse forman Harry Larson, later recalled that the 4-6-0 was the “best doggone engine for her size that ever worked out of Missoula.”

Over the years, the engine had received some cosmetic work to maintain its appearance. But a few years ago, a local group called Friends of the 1356 was organized to help protect the engine for the future. Presently, the group is working towards rebuilding the locomotive’s cab and making repairs to the tender. Eventually, they would like to have an informational kiosk and allow visitors to look into the cab (the engine is presently gated off). For more information, visit missoula1356.org. 

Locomotive 1356 is not the only one of her class that is receiving attention this year. Last month, the Northern Pacific Railroad Museum in Toppenish, Wash., fired up sister locomotive 1364 for the first time in 73 years. 

—Justin Franz 

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Total U.S. rail traffic for the weeks ending Feb. 21, 2026, and Feb. 14, 2026, rose 10.7% and 6.2%, respectively.

U.S. Class I railroads moved 516,729 carloads and intermodal units for the week ending Feb. 28, 2026, AAR reported March 4. Total carloads came in at 238,131, up 6.9%, and intermodal volume was 278,598 containers and trailers, down 2.5% from the same week last year.

For the week ending Feb. 28, 2026, eight of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2025. They included grain, up 4,210 carloads, to 25,210; coal, up 3,864 carloads, to 63,950; and chemicals, up 2,900 carloads, to 36,642. Commodity groups that posted declines were forest products, down 427 carloads, to 7,905; and miscellaneous carloads, down 302 carloads, to 8,599.

For the first eight weeks of 2026, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 1,762,504 carloads, a 5.5% increase from the prior-year period; and 2,191,101 intermodal units, a 1.0% fall-off from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first eight weeks of 2026 was 3,953,605 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.8% compared with last year.

North American rail volume for the week ending Feb. 28, 2026, on nine reporting U.S., Canadian, and Mexican railroads totaled 345,406 carloads, up 4.1% from the same week last year, and 366,411 intermodal units, down 0.1% from last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America came in at 711,817 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.9%. North American rail volume for the first eight weeks of this year was 5,442,179 carloads and intermodal units, up 2.5% from 2025.

Canadian railroads reported 93,668 carloads for the week ending Feb. 28, 2026, rising 2.5%, and 74,256 intermodal units, climbing 11.3% compared with the same week last year. For the first eight weeks of 2026, they reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 1,274,116 carloads, containers, and trailers, up 2.5%.

Mexican railroads reported 13,607 carloads for the week ending Feb. 28, 2026, dropping 22.5% from the same point last year, and 13,557 intermodal units, dipping 4.5%. Their cumulative volume for the first eight weeks of this year came in at 214,458 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, increasing 17.0% from the same point last year.

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JAXPORT

STV on March 3 reported being selected by JAXPORT to provide engineering and design services for a project that will improve vessel-to-rail connectivity at Talleyrand Marine Terminal (TMT) and Dames Point Marine Terminal (DPMT) and support Florida’s increasing demand for aggregate imports.

According to the firm, it will lead engineering and design upgrades at TMT and DPMT, including environmental coordination, phased design documents, and support cost estimating and bidding. The aim of its work with JAXPORT, rail operators—such as CSX, Norfolk Southern, Florida East Coast Railway, and Watco’s Jacksonville Port Terminal Railroad—and other stakeholders is to “deliver an integrated rail network that supports long-term growth at the port,” STV noted.

“This project positions Jacksonville to move aggregate cargo faster and more efficiently as demand continues to rise,” STV Senior Vice President and Florida District Manager Keith Jackson said. ”Our team is designing rail infrastructure that directly improves how vessels, rail and terminals work together to keep the nation’s supply chain moving efficiently and effectively.”

STV has completed a variety of infrastructure projects across Florida, such as the SunRail Phase 2 Northern Expansion, Florida State Road A1A Improvements and Okeechobee Road/Miami Canal Bridge.

Separately, the firm recently expanded its footprint in Florida by opening two new offices in Jacksonville and Lake Mary; was selected to support Utah Transit Authority’s FrontRunner 2X Project; and appointed Jerry Jannetti as President of Transportation South.

Port of Wilmington A rendering of what phase one of the intermodal rail yard project at the Port of Wilmington will look like when complete. (Courtesy of North Carolina State Ports Authority)

A $22.5 million intermodal rail yard expansion project at the CSX-served Port of Wilmington is slated for completion by the end of June, WECT News 6 reported March 3.

Awarded an $18 million RAISE grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the North Carolina State Ports Authority broke ground on the project in fall 2024. It will add “four new working tracks with a combined length of 5,000 feet,” according to the media outlet.

“Once complete, phase one of the project will expand the Port of Wilmington’s intermodal rail throughput capacity to more than 150,000 TEUs annually, according to the authority,” WECT News 6 reported. “The port currently handles approximately 14,000 container movements by rail each year.”

“This added capacity is essential to support continued growth following three consecutive years of record intermodal rail volume,” a NC State Ports Authority spokesperson told the media outlet. “Our express intermodal rail products provide service to Charlotte, Rocky Mount, and Chicago.”

NC-Ports-Capital-Improvements-2025Download

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Stucki

Stucki recently announced the launch of its newly redesigned website, which has been in development for more than a year and offers “a bold new look, improved navigation, and fast, easy access to information about Stucki’s products and services.”

“This is an exciting and important step for our company,” said Stucki CEO Ron Port. “Two years ago, we began to consolidate our subsidiary businesses under the Stucki name, and now our website represents that unified identity with a comprehensive visual presentation of our brands.”

The site features Stucki’s full portfolio of rail and infrastructure solutions for freight cars, locomotive parts and services, and maintenance of way. A range of technical resources is available, including product descriptions and literature, and information about industry certifications and approvals.

A new feature includes quote basket functionality, which enables visitors to request quotes on multiple items for “a faster, more efficient experience.”

Updated employment listings and an online newsroom round out the site’s main features.

“We designed the site with our customers in mind, making it easier to find the products and services they need and connect with our teams at every location,” said Port.

STV

STV on March 3 announced the promotion of Aaron Jones, APR, to Vice President of Media on the communications team. He will oversee the media team, which includes earned, paid and social media, as well as video content production. As part of this new role, Jones will co-lead the communications team’s AI transformation to “strengthen STV’s brand and support its long-term growth.”

Aaron Jones, APR, VP of Media, STV.

In three years at STV, Jones has “driven the strategies that have doubled STV’s social media audience, doubled its share-of-voice among competitors and generated nearly three billion earned media impressions,” the firm noted. He has also advanced major enterprise-wide initiatives, including launching STV’s rebrand, delivering its new award-winning website, bolstering STV’s executive communications strategy and supporting the development and dissemination of the firm’s new 3-year Strategic Plan.

“Aaron understands how modern communications teams can drive business outcomes. He brings a unique ability to combine creative storytelling with data-driven marketing strategy,” said Beth Miller, Head of Communications at STV. “Because of his leadership, curiosity and rigor, the stories about how STV makes communities better will continue to reach more clients, more community stakeholders and more talent as the company grows.”

Jones brings more than a decade of expertise in PR, digital marketing strategy and executive communications with experience across corporate, agency and nonprofit sectors. He holds a BA in Communications from the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) and earned his Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from the Universal Accreditation Board in the United States.

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A new independent economic study assessing the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Surface Transportation Authorization Recommendations finds that “every $1 billion invested in public transportation generates $5 billion in long-term economic value and supports tens of thousands of jobs nationwide.” These findings, APTA says, “provide clear evidence that sustained Federal investment in public transit and passenger rail delivers significant returns for workers, communities, taxpayers, and the U.S. economy.”

On Feb. 19, 2026, the APTA Board of Directors approved the APTA Surface Transportation Authorization Recommendations (download below), “which urge Congress and the Administration to build upon current investment for public transit and passenger rail to drive job creation, innovation, and economic growth by providing $138 billion for public transit and $130 billion for passenger rail over the next five years.”

APTA-Surface-Trans-Auth-Recommendations-022026Download

The report, Economic Impact of Public Transportation Investment (download below), finds that investment in public transportation “delivers strong taxpayer returns through job creation, increased tax revenue, improved access to jobs and healthcare, reduced congestion, and lower household transportation costs.” The report specifically finds that these critical public transportation investments will create an additional $140 billion in annual impacts on the American economy, APTA noted.

“Public transportation is one of the smartest investments we can make in America’s economic future,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “A $1 billion investment doesn’t just move people. It moves our entire economy forward, creating tens of thousands of jobs and unlocking billions in economic opportunity.”

“Federal investment enables public transit agencies nationwide to address the more than $150 billion state-of-good-repair backlog, meet growing mobility demands in our communities, and drive innovation and new technologies to enhance safety and expand access to jobs, healthcare, and education,” according to APTA.

The Economic Impact of Public Transportation Investment finds that each $1 billion invested in public transit delivers:

Economic Impact

• $5 billion of economic value (GDP) (5-to-1 economic return on investment) including $1.4 billion in direct spending from construction, and operations; and $3.6 billion in long-term benefits from improved mobility, reduced congestion, and expanded access to jobs and healthcare.

Job Creation

• 41,400 jobs created or sustained across construction, manufacturing, operations, and supplier industries.
• $3.1 billion in worker income supported.

Taxpayer Returns

• $251 million in Federal, State, and local tax revenue.

“These results are not accidental. They are the direct outcome of Federal leadership and investment,” Skoutelas said. “When the Federal Government invests in public transportation, communities see real improvements, such as expanded service, modern vehicles, good-paying jobs, and stronger local economies.”

Other APTA research finds that 77% of Federal public transit funds flow to the private sector, supporting American manufacturing and family-wage jobs. Today, APTA also released updated bus manufacturing and rail car manufacturing schematics illustrating how Federal public transit investment supports 3,000 suppliers in more than 1,700 communities in 50 states.

“Federal investment has delivered results, but the job is far from finished,” Skoutelas said. “A strong, long-term Federal commitment is essential to drive job creation, innovation, and economic growth across the nation.”

The APTA Surface Transportation Authorization Recommendations for the next surface transportation law are guided by three key initiatives:

• “Build upon current investment for public transit and passenger rail to drive job creation, innovation, and economic growth.
• “Accelerate project delivery by eliminating statutory and regulatory barriers to building infrastructure.
• “Strengthen collaborative, local decision-making.”

APTA-Economic-Impact-of-Public-Transportation-022026Download

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