File photo of a BNSF grain train crossing the Gassman Coulee trestle near Minot, North Dakota. (Photo courtesy BNSF Railway)

U.S. government makes contingency plans for rail shutdown

Three unions represent about 60,000 rail workers

Washington/Los Angeles | Reuters — U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration on Tuesday made contingency plans aiming to ensure deliveries of critical goods in the event of a shutdown of the U.S. rail system while pressing railroads and unions to reach a deal to avoid a work stoppage affecting freight and passenger service. The potential shutdown,

A freight train at Manchac, La., about 75 km east of Baton Rouge. (CN.ca)

U.S. rail regulator tackles railroads over customer complaints

Reuters — The top U.S. rail regulator has asked major railroads for information on service levels before meeting disgruntled shippers and other customers over complaints about service delays and higher costs. In letters to the CEOs of the railroads, dated Friday and posted Monday on the U.S. Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) website, the regulator requested


(CSX.com)

Railway CEO Hunter Harrison, 73

New York | Reuters –– CSX Corp. CEO Hunter Harrison has died, the U.S. freight railway operator said on Saturday, just a few days after announcing that the veteran rail executive it hired earlier this year to boost its profits had taken a medical leave of absence. Harrison, 73, died “due to unexpectedly severe complications

(CSX.com)

CSX customers demand end to shipping bottlenecks

Reuters — The head of No. 3 U.S. railroad CSX promised on Wednesday to improve service as companies such as Cargill demanded greater accountability and fewer delays, criticizing an overhaul CSX launched six months ago. Customers have complained of longer transit times, unreliable switching operations, inefficient car routings and poor communications with CSX customer service.


(CSX.com)

CSX tackling service issues, CEO tells rail regulator

Detroit | Reuters — CSX Corp. said it is dealing with service issues even as it forges ahead with a controversial overhaul of its network that has led dozens of trade groups to call for an investigation into disruptions at the No. 3 U.S. railroad. In a letter released by the regulator on Monday, CSX

(CSX.com)

Activist investor activity reignites rail merger hopes

Reuters — Shares of railway operator CSX Corp. soared 20 per cent on Thursday after an activist investor’s plan to shake up the U.S. rail operator fueled speculation that the company was once again a takeover target. Investors rushed to bid up shares of CSX after news reports that former Pershing Square partner Paul Hilal





(NSCorp.com)

CP’s Norfolk bid riles U.S. railroads

Chicago | Reuters –– A legal protest by Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) over a meeting among big U.S. railroads about mergers in their industry has highlighted manoeuvring in the sector to cope with a rapid downturn and possible consolidation. Calgary-based CP on Tuesday asked the U.S. Justice Department to look into statements by U.S. railroads,