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AAR: Railroads close out 2020 with traffic near pre-pandemic levels

January 7, 2021

(Source: Progressive Railroading 01/07/2021) In a year roiled by a global pandemic, total combined U.S. freight-rail traffic fell 7.2% to 25,157,476 carloads and intermodal units during the 53 weeks of 2020 compared with the same period in 2019, according to Association of American Railroads data. U.S. carload traffic for the 12 months of 2020 totaled 11,482,059 units,…

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Train carrying Volkswagen vehicles sabotaged in Mexico

January 6, 2021

(Source: Freight Waves, January 4, 2021) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A train carrying more than 160 Volkswagen cars was derailed in Mexico last Wednesday by armed thieves, according to Mexican authorities. The train tracks were cut near the town of Acultzingo, about 80 southeast of the Volkswagen assembly plant in Puebla, Mexico, where the company makes…

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Railroad Retirement and Unemployment Insurance taxes in 2021

January 5, 2021

(Source: U.S. Railroad Retirement Board press release, December 18, 2020) CHICAGO — The amounts of compensation subject to railroad retirement tier I and tier II payroll taxes will increase in 2021, while the tax rates on employers and employees will stay the same. In addition, unemployment insurance contribution rates paid by railroad employers will include a…

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Landslides an ongoing problem for rail service in western Washington

January 5, 2021

(Source: www.king5.com, January 4, 2021) EDMONDS, Wash. — Heavy rain across western Washington this week has increased the threat of landslides in the region. Transportation officials are discussing the ongoing efforts to prevent landslides when the ground gets saturated. Two new landslides on the railroad tracks between Seattle and Everett have canceled Sounder commuter trains…

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