General Information
Montana Rail Link to end operations, with BNSF taking over
(Source: Billings Gazette, January 10, 2022) BILLINGS, Mont. — BNSF Railway announced plans Monday to take over Montana Rail Link and its 900 miles of track in Montana and Idaho. BNSF has committed to retain all union and non-union employees of MRL in their current jobs with similar pay, benefits, seniority, and other terms of…
Read MoreAAR: North American freight-rail traffic rose in 2021
(Source: Progressive Railroading 01/06/2022) U.S. freight-rail traffic rose 5.7% to 26,152,716 carloads and intermodal units in 2021 compared with 2020 levels, according to Association of American Railroads (AAR) data. Year over year, total carload traffic climbed 6.6% to 12,010,274 units, while intermodal volume increased 4.9% to 14,142,442 containers and trailers. Rail traffic in 2021 was “substantially higher”…
Read MoreRRB names new Director of Retirement and Survivor Benefits
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, January 4, 2022) CHICAGO — The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has selected Letitia C. Carthans as the agency’s next Director of Retirement and Survivor Benefits, effective January 3, 2022. She will replace Valerie Allen, who is retiring after more than 31 years of RRB service. In her new position,…
Read MoreOfficials say recent STB decision on Utah rail project “pours gasoline” on climate emergency
(Source: Railway Track & Structures, January 5, 2022) NEW YORK — The Surface Transportation Board recently approved a new rail line in Utah, and officials can’t say enough against it. Full story: Railway Track & Structures Thursday, January 6, 2022
Read MoreFor 2021, intermodal “record” collapses in second half
(Source: Railway Age, January 5, 2021) NEW YORK — In 2021, U.S. intermodal’s “record-setting” first half gave way to a lower second half as supply chain challenges persisted, reported the Association of American Railroads on Jan. 5; December volumes continued the downward trend, coming in 8.2% lower than the prior-year period, according to AAR figures.…
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