General Information
U.S. shale oil output to fall in August
(Source: S&P Global Platts, July 13, 2020) HOUSTON — U.S. shale oil production will fall to 7.49 million b/d in August, down 56,000 b/d from July and the lowest in two years, the US Energy Information Administration said July 13. Full story: S&P Global Platts Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Read MoreRailroad helps NASA shoot for the moon
(Source: Progressive Railroading July 2020) By Julie Sneider, Senior Associate Editor After the Space Shuttle program was retired in 2011, the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) sold off most of the NASA Railroad’s rolling stock, including its three locomotives. The inventory reduction made it unlikely the railroad — which hauled the large solid rocket boosters used in the Shuttle program —…
Read MoreIntermodal volume props up U.S. rail traffic
(Source: Freight Waves, July 9, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A 7.7% increase in weekly intermodal traffic gave U.S. rail traffic its smallest year-over-year decline in months. U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July Fourth totaled 437,989 carloads and intermodal units, a 2.4% drop from the same period in 2019, according to the Association of…
Read MoreAppropriations bill would block Amtrak service reductions
(Rail Passengers Association press release, July 8, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — House appropriators with jurisdiction over transportation programs gave Rail Passengers another significant victory today, releasing a draft Fiscal 2021 proposal boosting regular Amtrak appropriations, setting aside at least $26 billion in additional emergency grant funds for Amtrak and public transportation, and tying the money to…
Read MoreLabor union presses railroads on additional coronavirus measures
(Source: Freight Waves, July 9, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED), a U.S. rail labor union affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, wants the freight railroads to privately mandate the testing and tracing of the COVID-19 virus among employees after the recent deaths of several members. Full…
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