Transportation News

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CSX: A big ‘green’ machine, says Newsweek

Newsweek magazine has given CSX the highest “Green Ranking” among Class I freight railroads – and named CSX 10th in environmental responsibility among all transport and aerospace companies. The Newsweek rankings are based on input from three environmental organizations. In a [...]

Rails increase orders for new freight cars

Railroads are ordering considerably more freight cars than in previous months, according to the Railway Supply Institute – another indication of the strength of rail carloadings and the rails’ economic optimism going forward. The number of new freight cars on order for [...]

Can you drive this bus?

Children of railroaders have available to them numerous computer games simulating operation and dispatch of trains. Now there is a computer game that allows children – and adults – to experience the challenge of being a bus operator: operating city buses, school buses, sight- [...]

Open enrollment for RR GA-23111 health plans

During November and December, UnitedHealthcare will hold an open enrollment under railroad plans GA-23111. During this open enrollment period, any individual eligible for coverage under one of the GA-23111 plans may enroll and be accepted for coverage without medical underwri [...]

Up, up and up go rail freight shipments

Rail freight loadings continue to show improvement, reports the AAR in releasing carloading data for the week ending Oct. 16. Total U.S. carloadings increased by more than 10 percent over the same week in 2009. Intermodal loadings were up by more than 15 percent over the comp [...]

Amtrak’s chief operating officer departs

Amtrak reported Oct. 21 that Chief Operating Officer Bill Crosbie is leaving Amtrak immediately, and the position of chief operating officer is being abolished.  Amtrak President Joseph Boardman, in an employee advisory, said the vice presidents of the operating departments w [...]

Here is CORRECT RRB toll-free number

Take note of the CORRECT toll-free telephone number for the Railroad Retirement Board’s Information Line: (877) 772-5772 This number replaces a previous toll-free number to reach the Railroad Retirement Board. The old number no longer reaches the Railroad Retirement Boa [...]

UP profit soars; those furloughed will return

Union Pacific earnings for the third quarter 2010 soared by 51 percent from the third quarter 2009, the railroad told investors Oct. 21. UP told Wall Street analysts it was the company’s most profitable quarter ever. In reporting the record earnings, UP Chairman Jim You [...]

STB to consider partial rail reregulation

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Surface Transportation Board says it will hold a hearing Dec. 9 to review certain exemptions from economic regulation afforded railroads – specifically, commodity exemptions, boxcar exemptions and intermodal trailer and container exemptions. The exemptio [...]

These thefts can derail, kill and maim

As the recession takes its toll, an increased rail safety threat is emerging – the theft of rail spikes and tie plates from active railroad lines. In Woodbine, N.J., last week, police arrested four men suspected of stealing spikes and tie plates from five miles of New Jersey [...]