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

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

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

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

The post Stucki Promotes Creech to Chief Growth Officer appeared first on Railway Age.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The post Intermodal Briefs: GPA, Ports of Indiana appeared first on Railway Age.

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

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

—Justin Franz 

The post Amtrak Could Return to Michigan Central appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A video of the Airo is available here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Since 2022, BNSF Sustainability Awards have been presented annually “to companies that stand out as industry leaders in sustainable freight,” according to the Class I railroad.

And the 2025 winners are:

1. ADM
2. ABF Freight®, an ArcBest® company
3. AG Processing Inc
4.  Albina Asphalt
5. American Alloy Steel
6. Amrize
7. Big River Steel
8. C.H. Robinson
9. CF Industries
10. COSCO SHIPPING Lines
11. Darling Ingredients
12. Eco Material Technologies
13. Eco-Energy
14. Estes Express Lines
15. Harvestone
16. Helm U.S. Corporation
17. Hybar LLC
18. INEOS US CHEMICALS CO
19. James Hardie Building Products Inc.
20. Kimberly-Clark
21. Kiva United Energy
22. Occidental Chemical Corporation
23. OOCL (USA) INC
24. Phillips 66
25. POET
26. Ravago
27. Rust-Oleum
28. The Greenbrier Companies
29. Tractor Supply Company
30. United Sugar Producers and Refiners
31. Veolia North America
32. Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp.

“This year, we congratulate 32 winners that prioritize sustainable solutions to support innovation and growth,” said BNSF Vice President of Environment & Sustainability John Lovenburg. “We appreciate the powerful commitment of these innovative businesses that have chosen to partner with us and utilize the lowest carbon mode of surface transportation that provide long-term environmental, social and economic benefits.”

The post 32 Companies Earn BNSF Sustainability Awards appeared first on Railway Age.

NFI Group and GILLIG on Oct. 22 reported forming a 50/50 joint venture, GR Seating, LLC, to acquire the assets of Michigan-based American Seating Inc., a producer of seats for rail and bus applications.

The joint acquisition by the two heavy-duty transit bus manufacturers is said to secure “a critical component of the transit industry’s supply chain and positions American Seating for operational performance recovery and long-term stability to the benefit of all customers.”

GR Seating, LLC, will assume ownership of American Seating’s key assets including its equipment, inventory, brand, and intellectual property, according to Manitoba, Canada-based NFI Group and California-based GILLIG. Operations, they said, will continue at the existing facilities in Grand Rapids, under the American Seating name, and the partnership with The United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, and UAW Local No. 135 will be maintained. The company will also support buses in the field through its aftermarket business and will maintain customer and supplier relationships.

NFI Group and GILLIG reported that they both will have representation on GR Seating, LLC’s Board of Directors, which “will provide governance and oversight to an independent third-party management team.” Neither NFI Group nor GILLIG will be involved in day-to-day operations.

“The joint venture will be working closely with the previous ownership team, including former Chairman, Ed Clark, and former President and CEO, Tom Bush, to ensure a smooth transition while also driving forward a strategy to increase throughput and improve delivery timelines to customers,” NFI Group and GILLIG said. “The joint venture has committed to making dedicated investments in equipment and facilities to enable employees’ success and support the management team’s recovery plan.”

“Today’s [Oct. 22] acquisition displays NFI’s commitment to strengthening the industry’s supply chain and delivering for our customers,” said Paul Soubry, President and CEO of NFI Group, which offers a wide range of propulsion agnostic bus and coach platforms, including electric models. “American Seating has been a long-time supplier to the North American heavy-duty transit industry, recognized for the quality of its products and the breadth of its offering. While American Seating has faced recent challenges, we are confident that through this joint venture we will stabilize and enhance performance, ensuring more consistent supply for their customers and the millions of riders who use their seats every day.”

“This strategic acquisition shores up a critical piece of the industry’s supply chain while reinforcing GILLIG’s commitment to our customers’ success,” noted Derek Maunus, President and CEO of GILLIG, which offers a portfolio of low and zero-emission propulsion options. “In this partnership with NFI, we aim to put the health and stability of the transit industry above all else. We are committed to the success of American heavy-duty transit, and this investment is another way we will continue to drive America forward.”

The post GR Seating Acquiring American Seating Assets appeared first on Railway Age.