Intermodal

News from the intermodal freight transportation industry.

Intermodal

AJOT | Top Story | February 24, 2023

President of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen preliminary on the East Palestine, Ohio derailment

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has been assisting the National Transportation Safety Board in its investigation of the recent derailment...

Transnet snubs Kumba’s overture to run lucrative South African iron ore rail-line

Bloomberg | February 24, 2023 | Intermodal

South Africa’s state-owned logistics company has rejected an overture from an Anglo American Plc unit to take over the running of its iron ore rail line, which is one of its most profitable but battles to move sufficient volumes.

Railroads fought to crush rules that Biden aims to revive after Ohio derailment

Bloomberg | February 23, 2023 | Intermodal | Rail

Long before this month’s fiery derailment, railroad industry leaders battled regulations meant to boost freight train safety, including plans to bolster some of the very same tank cars that ruptured and released chemicals in eastern Ohio.

Union Pacific’s GHG reduction goals get a lift from hybrid cranes

Union Pacific Railroad’s sustainability goals are in for a literal lift.

Norfolk Southern announces East Palestine track excavation and remediation plan

AJOT | February 23, 2023 | Intermodal | Rail

Norfolk Southern Corporation announced that it will now excavate the soil and replace the tracks in the derailment area as part of an enhanced remediation plan. The change comes in response to feedback from the citizens of East Palestine, Ohio. Work on the first rail line will begin immediately, with the second line to be replaced directly after.

Norfolk Southern announces paid sick leave agreement with engineering railroaders

AJOT | February 23, 2023 | Intermodal | Rail

3,000 union railroaders to benefit from new agreement

CN Employees’ and Pensioners’ Community Fund announces record-setting campaign results

AJOT | February 23, 2023 | Intermodal | Rail

AAR statement on NTSB preliminary East Palestine report

AJOT | February 23, 2023 | Intermodal | Rail

Intermodal

Bloomberg | Top Story | February 23, 2023

Before Ohio derailment, train wheel overheated and a sensor failed

A wheel on the Norfolk Southern Corp. train that derailed earlier this month in Ohio was too hot in the moments before the accident, and a sensor failed to alert crew members to the problem in time, according to preliminary findings in an investigation by US authorities.

Buttigieg will tour Ohio derailment site on heels of Trump visit

Bloomberg | February 22, 2023 | Intermodal | Rail

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will travel to East Palestine, Ohio, on Thursday, as the Biden administration hastens its response to a fiery train crash earlier this month that spread toxic chemicals – and has become a flashpoint in the upcoming presidential election.

EPA, DOT to increase accountability, safety in wake of Ohio chemical train derailment

AJOT | February 22, 2023 | Intermodal | Rail

Federal government requiring Norfolk Southern to pay for clean-up; new rail safety rules coming

Trump’s Ohio visit puts spotlight on rail-safety rules he ended

Bloomberg | February 22, 2023 | Intermodal | Rail

Donald Trump is visiting the small Ohio town reeling from the toxic fallout of a Norfolk Southern Corp. train derailment hoping to capitalize politically on residents’ anger about the initial response by the Biden administration, but the trip is also highlighting the former president’s efforts to roll back rail regulations.

AAR reports rail traffic for the week ending February 18, 2023

AJOT | February 22, 2023 | Intermodal | Rail

Intermodal

Bloomberg | Top Story | February 22, 2023

Buttigieg bashing over response to Ohio derailment turns bipartisan

President Joe Biden called several officials during his trip to Poland on Tuesday for an update on an Ohio train crash that released toxic chemicals after his administration’s response to the derailment has come under fire from both parties.

North American transborder freight up 3.5% in December 2022 from December 2021

AJOT | February 21, 2023 | Intermodal | Rail | Trucking

The statistics in this release may not reflect changes in tonnage moved.

AAR on rail safety policy issues

AJOT | February 21, 2023 | Intermodal | Rail

Intermodal

Bloomberg | Top Story | February 21, 2023

Union Pacific to provide paid sick leave to 2,100 rail workers

Union Pacific Corp. reached an agreement with two of its unions to provide up to seven days of paid sick leave, the latest in a sweeping change to benefits being offered in the rail industry.

Intermodal

AJOT | Top Story | February 21, 2023

USDOT Secretary Buttigieg calls on rail industry to take immediate, commonsense steps to improve accountability and safety

• Among the immediate calls for action: Freight rail industry should accelerate phase-in of safer tank cars and provide workers paid sick leave, and Congress can raise existing caps on the fines for rail safety regulations • USDOT will advance train crew staffing rule, initiate a focused safety inspection program on routes over which high-hazard flammable trains (HHFTs) travel • Secretary Buttigieg: "We at USDOT are doing everything in our power to improve rail safety, and we insist that the rail industry do the same – while inviting Congress to work with us to raise the bar"