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Connecticut’s Valley Railroad announced in January that its Chinese-built 2-8-2 steam locomotive is being converted to burn oil, and if successful, the railroad will convert additional engines. 

Valley 3025, an SY-type 2-8-2 built at the Tangshan Locomotive and Rolling Stock Works in 1989 and made to look like a New Haven locomotive, is presently down for its federally-mandated 15-year overhaul. While the engine is out of service, the railroad has decided to install an oil-burning system. The railroad said it was making the change because oil was easier to acquire and handle than coal. The railroad would also save money by disposing of less ash. 

The Valley is just the latest in a long line of steam operators that have decided to convert to oil, including the Durango & Silverton, Cumbres & Toltec Scenic, and those restoring Reading 2100 and Chesapeake & Ohio 2-8-4 2716. Aside from it being easier to acquire oil, groups have also cited environmental reasons, most notably the desire to continue operating during dry conditions. The trend is also underway in England for the same reasons. 

—Justin Franz 

The post Valley Railroad to Convert 2-8-2 to Burn Oil appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

CSX

CSX on Jan. 28 reported the successful cutover of an extended hump lead at Avon Yard, delivering “measurable gains in efficiency, capacity and railcar velocity.” (Watch video above.)

The project—completed incident  and injury free—added 3,500 feet of new track, extending the hump lead to a total of 8,000 feet. According to the railroad, this “enhancement allows Avon Yard to process full length trains in a single cut, improve remote control switching movements, and reduce railcar dwell time—strengthening the fluidity of freight movement through the terminal.”

Avon Yard can now handle an additional 200 to 300 railcars per day, which CSX pointed out helps it move customer shipments from origin to destination faster and with greater reliability.

“The goal is efficiency—switching cars as quickly as possible so they don’t spend unnecessary time in the yard,” said David Clark, Director of Construction Engineering at CSX. “This extension gives our teams the room they need to operate more effectively and deliver better service.”

CPKC (Courtesy of CPKC)

CPKC on Jan. 28 announced that, as part of its ongoing Board succession planning, Gordon Trafton, a current CPKC Board member, has been appointed Vice Chair. It also announced that Marc Parent has been appointed to the Board effective Jan. 27, 2026, and that Kate Stevenson has been nominated to stand for election as a director at CPKC’s Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in April 2026.   

Gordon Trafton (Courtesy of CPKC)

Trafton, of Naperville, Ill., has been a Board member since Jan. 1, 2017. He retired in 2010 from CN, following a 33-year railroad career that included time at CN, Illinois Central, and Burlington Northern Railroad. From 2003 to 2009, he successively served as Senior Vice President, Strategic Acquisitions and Integration, and as Senior Vice President, Southern Region at CN. Prior to that, Trafton worked as CN’s Vice President, Operations Integration.

On CPKC’s Board, Trafton chairs the Risk and Sustainability Committee, serves on the Management Resources and Compensation Committee, and previously served on the Board’s Integration Committee.

“I am honored to be appointed Vice Chair of the Board,” Trafton said. “Isabelle Courville has established a legacy of excellence as Board Chair, and I look forward to working closely with her, my fellow Board members, and our talented management team as we forge ahead together in our commitment to maximizing the value of CPKC for our shareholders, employees, and customers.”

Marc Parent (Courtesy of CPKC)

Parent, of Montreal, is a seasoned CEO and Corporate Director with more than three decades of leadership experience in the aerospace industry. Throughout his 15-year tenure as President and CEO of CAE, Parent grew the company into what CPKC described as “the undisputed leader in global aviation training and simulation.” He has also been appointed to the Order of Canada, the country’s highest civilian honor.

“It is with great excitement that I join CPKC’s board,” Parent said. “CPKC plays a vital role in connecting communities and nations while driving economic growth across the continent. I look forward to collaborating with the talented CPKC team to shape the company’s next phase of growth and success.”

Stevenson, of Toronto, has extensive corporate governance experience, having served on numerous public company and not-for-profit boards in Canada and the United States over the past two decades, CPKC reported. With experience as a financial executive in the telecommunications and banking sectors, Stevenson is currently Chair of the Board of Directors of CIBC.

“It is an honor to be nominated to join CPKC, a company critical to our supply chain and vital to our North American economy,” Stevenson said. “I am excited at the prospect of bringing my perspective and expertise to the board to advance the company’s remarkable success.”

CPKC is proud to be named one of Alberta’s Top Employers for 2026 for the 7th consecutive year. Read the feature here: https://t.co/53FlBv1CLy #ABTopEmployers #TopEmployers2026 pic.twitter.com/oVyBhgzjLL

— CPKC (@CPKCrail) January 28, 2026

Meanwhile, CPKC also reported via social media that it has been named to Mediacorp Canada Inc.’s list of Alberta’s Top Employers for 2026. It is the seventh consecutive year the railroad has been recognized.

According to Mediacorp, following are among the reasons why CPKC was selected:

• “CPKC helps employees prepare for life after work with contributions to a defined benefit pension plan—employees can also participate in a share purchase plan to enhance their savings.
• “CPKC encourages ongoing professional development throughout an employee’s career, offering in-house apprenticeships (railcar and diesel mechanic roles), leadership development programs and tuition subsidies (to C$5,000) for courses related to their current position.
• “CPKC hosts a busy social calendar for employees every year, including the annual Olympiad event (featuring a range of activities from soccer and Fortnite to trivia), a family movie night (with complimentary admission, popcorn and beverages), a steps challenge every July, and an evening holiday party during the Christmas season at the Calgary headquarters for employees, their family and friends.”

“Our success is driven by our dedicated railroaders who are deeply connected to their work, their communities and their colleagues,” CPKC said.

The post Class I Briefs: CSX, CPKC appeared first on Railway Age.

Valley Metro

The Phoenix City Council on Jan. 27 approved a new expansion of Valley Metro’s light rail system to west Phoenix after voting to end the Capitol light rail extension that would have connected downtown Phoenix to the state Capitol.

The City Council voted by a 7 to 2 vote to expedite light rail along Indian School Road, which will “provide west Phoenix with its fair share of transit and development opportunities and will connect Valley Metro and west Phoenix’s residents, businesses, and neighborhoods.”

The City of Phoenix and Valley Metro had been working to extend light rail to the state’s Capitol and west down the middle of Interstate 10. However, the Arizona State Legislature, the City Council says, “has the specific legal authority to block stations within a certain part of the state Capitol Mall, via legislation previously signed by then-Governor Ducey.”

The new path will serve Maryvale, as well as the Encanto and Alhambra villages, allowing residents to more easily access jobs, education, entertainment, and a host of other amenities across the Valley.

“Valley Metro appreciates the City Council’s thoughtful consideration of transit options that will best serve west Phoenix residents and businesses,” the agency said in a statement.

“We remain committed to advancing high-capacity transit to west Phoenix to meet significant demand, support mobility in this corridor and to continue to deliver upon the community’s vision for transit and transportation. Following the Phoenix City Council’s decision, Valley Metro will exit project development and the Capital Investment Grant process for the Capitol Extension (CAPEX) project.

“As directed by Phoenix City Council, we will advance planning of the West Phoenix corridor along Indian School Road. Comprehensive community engagement will be central to this work, ensuring we hear from all residents, business owners and stakeholders along the corridor as we develop solutions that serve the needs of west Phoenix. We will work closely with the City of Phoenix on project development and begin coordinating with our partners at the Federal Transit Administration to explore funding opportunities.”

Santa Clara VTA

As the primary public transit agency serving Levi’s Stadium, VTA says it is prepared to “deliver record ridership safely, smoothly, and reliably” for crowds attending the Super Bowl LX. Planning began immediately after Levi’s Stadium was named host, building on lessons learned during Super Bowl L 10 years ago.

VTA SBLX wrapped light rail train

“We know what it takes,” said VTA General Manager and CEO Carolyn Gonot at a press conference Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. “We’ve taken every lesson from Super Bowl L and built an even stronger, smarter, more efficient plan for Super Bowl LX.”

VTA is working closely with local, state, and federal partners to ensure a coordinated, region-wide security approach.

A comprehensive emergency management plan for large-scale events is in place, supported by extensive training and exercises over the past year. A dedicated Emergency Operations Center will be activated to monitor conditions, coordinate responses, and share real-time information. VTA’s cybersecurity teams will operate around the clock to protect critical systems.

On Super Bowl Sunday, VTA will operate 22 additional light rail trains on top of regular service. Most will be three-car trains, each carrying approximately 450 passengers directly to the stadium.

Due to security constraints around Levi’s Stadium, VTA has adjusted its service plan. Passengers traveling from downtown San Jose or Milpitas BART will arrive and depart from Lick Mill Station on the east side of the stadium. Passengers connecting from Caltrain in Mountain View will arrive and depart from Great America Station on the west side. This post-game departure plan, VTA says, is expected to reduce wait times and move fans out faster.

VTA expects to transport approximately 25,000 fans, surpassing previous record ridership levels seen during the Taylor Swift concerts in 2023.

System-wide preparations include track repairs to eliminate slow zones, upgraded ticket machines and information displays, and enhanced station readiness. Up to 100 VTA ambassadors, wearing blue VTA vests, will assist riders throughout the system on game day.

NYMTA

The New York MTA on Jan. 28 announced a record increase in subway customer satisfaction in the Fall 2025 Customers Count survey. The subway system saw increases across all key metrics, with 62% of subway riders reporting they feel satisfied with the system overall, which is a five-point increase from the Spring 2025 survey, and the highest percentage since the current Customers Count survey was launched in 2022, according to the agency.

NYMTA photo

The questionnaire, which was offered online in nine languages and included a phone option, gauged satisfaction levels of 92,269 customers between Oct.14 and Nov. 2, 2025. Now in its fifth year, the Customers Count survey allows the Authority “to better understand riders’ most significant concerns and prioritize issues that need to be addressed across the MTA network.”

Customer safety is at record highs, with 63% saying they feel safe on trains. This is a six-point increase from the Spring and the highest level reported since the survey began in 2022. Fifty-nine percent feel safe in stations, up from 54% in the Spring; 53% of riders feel safe on subway platforms, a five-point increase from the Spring. This is also the first-time platform safety was above 50% since the question was introduced in Spring 2023, according to the MTA.

According to the survey, 65% of subway riders say they are satisfied with their train line, up four points from 61% in the Spring 2025 survey. The top performing lines all gained from the previous survey—the 7 is at 73%, the G is at 72% and the Q is at 72%. Satisfaction with service reliability is also up two points to 62%. Other metrics, including satisfaction with waiting time (59%) and frequency of delays (53%) also saw two percentage point increases from the Spring. Satisfaction with cleanliness on board trains substantially increased from the Spring 2025 survey, up to 59% from 52%.

Overall subway satisfaction increased among subway customers in four boroughs, with 52% of Bronx customers satisfied, up from 46% in the Spring. This, MTA says, is the first time Bronx customer satisfaction is more than 50%. In Brooklyn, 63% of subway customers were satisfied, up from 57% in the Spring. Manhattan saw a five-point increase from the Spring, with 65% of subway customers satisfied; 59% of Queens customers were satisfied with the subway overall—a two-point increase from the Spring; Staten Island remained at 79%, consistent with levels reported in the Spring 2025 survey.

These survey results, MTA says, “reflect record-breaking 2025 operational performance for the subway system.” Subways hit six milestone months with historic on-time performance highs outside of COVID years, culminating in the best on-time performance year achieved since modern reliable record keeping began with a weekday on-time performance of 83.7%—a 2.1% increase from 2024. In May 2025, subway weekday OTP reached 85.2%, the best single month for performance in history.

These on-time performance improvements, the agency says, come as the MTA “explores new ways to use data to deliver better and more efficient service by making schedule adjustments based on ridership patterns and other factors.” This resulted not only in faster and more frequent service but also 13,000 fewer delays in 2025 compared to 2024, the MTA noted. In addition, service was increased service on several lines in 2025, including the A and L in November and the M in December in conjunction with the F/M swap.

The subway continues to see record increases in ridership growth, with nearly 1.3 billion rides taken in 2025—up 7% from the previous year. The subway also broke its post-pandemic single-day weekday and weekend ridership records on numerous occasions in 2025, most recently on Dec. 11 with 4.65 million customers. Notably, the MTA celebrated its one billionth subway rider of 2025 in mid-October—three weeks earlier than 2024 and nearly three months earlier than 2022.

More information is available here.

In related news, the New York MTA on Jan. 28 also announced that it has made a record $15.8 billion in capital commitments in 2025, “marking the largest single-year investment in transit infrastructure in the agency’s history.”

The commitments advance critical accessibility upgrades, state-of-good-repair work, and major megaprojects across the system, including more than $5 billion made possible through Congestion Relief funding. Projects advanced also included the first round of investments made possible by the MTA’s historic 2025-2029 Capital Plan, which was fully funded by Governor Kathy Hochul and the state legislature in the FY26 Enacted State Budget. 

This historic year for capital awards includes investments across the transit system to improve reliability and accessibility, along with targeted investments in system expansion.

• Signal improvements: $2 billion
• Rolling Stock: $6.6 billion
• Expansion: $2.7 billion
• Accessibility: $500 million
• State-Of-Good-Repair & other program support: $3.4 billion

The MTA also awarded a significant $166 million contract for engineering and design of the Interborough Express last August, which advanced the project from planning to active phase. The MTA’s 2025-2029 Capital Plan includes $2.75 billion for this transformative transit expansion project between Brooklyn and Queens. 

Thanks to funding from congestion pricing, the MTA says major projects are advancing, including:

• “Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 Contract 2 for tunneling. This major expansion is advancing on time and on budget.
• “Signal Modernization on the Fulton & Liberty AC lines in Brooklyn and Queens. Thanks to a new delivery approach, this project is 33 percent cheaper on a per-mile basis than prior signal modernization projects.
• “Accessibility upgrades at seven stations, including the Bryant Park Complex on the BDFM7 trains. These accessibility projects came in 6% below engineering estimates.”

In addition, 2025 saw progress on the MTA’s new 2025-2029 Capital Plan. This includes new contracts for more than 300 new train cars on the Long Island Rail Road.

 The record-breaking year, the agency says, surpasses the previous mark set in 2022, when $11.4 billion in contracts were awarded. 

In addition to the “record-setting commitments,” the MTA completed $6.7 billion in projects in 2025, trailing only 2023’s $7.1 billion as the strongest year for capital project completions. 

 Customers saw major benefits throughout the system in 2025, with 41 elevator replacements and 10 new accessible stations across the subways and railroads. That record setting number of replacements saw the average project duration drop by more than two months, the MTA noted. 

 Other major projects completed included circulation improvements at Grand Central as part of the 42nd Street Connection program, which saved $46.5 million; the opening of New York City’s new Rail Car Acceptance Facility in Brooklyn; and the rehabilitation of the lower-level main span deck of the Verazzano-Narrows Bridge. In addition, the MTA awarded a contract to Kawasaki last fall to construct 378 new R268 subway cars, which will ultimately replace nearly 50-year-old cars and improve reliability and performance. 

 Megaprojects also made major advances, according to the MTA. The first phase of the full replacement of the Park Avenue Viaduct—the elevated steel structure that carries four Metro-North Railroad tracks and serves all Metro-North trains traveling into and out of Grand Central Terminal—saw bridge replacement completed 21 months ahead of schedule and $93 million under budget. Further south, additional savings were achieved during the rebuilding of the Grand Central Train Shed that holds up Park Avenue and the surrounding skyscrapers above Metro-North tracks near Grand Central, which came in $20 million under budget in its first phase and has secured $75 million in private funding for the second phase.

The post Transit Briefs: Valley Metro, Santa Clara VTA, NYMTA appeared first on Railway Age.

The reflectorization rule (download below), according to the FRA, “sets minimum safety requirements to help motor vehicle operators see rail freight rolling stock at night and in poor visibility conditions.” This final rule would codify two waivers, one excluding rail freight rolling stock used only for tourist, historic, excursion, educational, recreational, or private (THEERP) purposes, except for incidental freight service; and one allowing the use of a performance-based method to determine when to replace reflectorization sheeting.

For the latter waiver, railroads had previously been required to replace reflectorization sheeting every 10 years, “even though sheeting can continue to perform effectively beyond the 10-year mark,” according to the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), which published the announcement in its latest edition of Views and News. The FRA now allows alternative evaluation of sheeting but continues to retain the 10-year replacement cycle as an option. “Small railroads with limited equipment may still prefer the time-based approach,” noted ASLRRA, which added that it is “pleased with the new rule, as it provides regulatory flexibility for short line railroads.”

By publishing this final rule, the FRA, ASLRRA says, eliminates the need for railroads to submit waiver petitions and request waiver extensions every five years. The FRA will also no longer need to review and approve waiver petition and extension requests.

2026-01549Download

The post FRA Issues Final Reflectorization Rule appeared first on Railway Age.

What Happened?

On Nov. 4, 2024, at about 11:00 a.m. local time, a BNSF m/w employee (a grinder) driving a welding truck was fatally struck by a BNSF freight train as the welding truck was crossing a private highway/rail grade crossing at milepost 128 near New Rockford, N.Dak. (see figure 1, top), according to the report that was issued Jan. 20 (download below). Another BNSF m/w employee (a welder) who was on the passenger side of the welding truck was injured, transported to a nearby hospital, and released. At the time of the accident, the NTSB said, “visibility conditions were daylight but cloudy with about four miles visibility; the weather was 36°F with no precipitation but the ground was wet and soggy.”

RIR2601Download Background

According to the NTSB, the accident site had a single main track running southeast to northwest on BNSF’s KO Subdivision. On this subdivision, the maximum authorized speed for freight trains was 55 mph and train movement was coordinated by a BNSF train dispatcher from BNSF’s Network Operations Center located in Fort Worth, Tex. The track was signalized and equipped with a positive train control system, which was enabled and operating at the time of the accident, the NTSB said.

“At milepost 128.1, an unpaved farm road which ran east and west intersected the track at a skew angle of about 30°, making the grade crossing (accident grade crossing) a skewed intersection [known as any angle less than 90°],” the NTSB reported. “The accident grade crossing was paved to facilitate the movement of vehicles and was at a higher elevation than the unpaved farm road. The accident grade crossing was passive but equipped with stop signs on either side of the track for eastbound and westbound vehicles traveling on the farm road. A gravel road on the south side of the track ran parallel to the track. This road was used by MOW employees to access the track for repair work.”

According to the NTSB, on the day of the accident, a BNSF m/w team had been assigned to replace “a defective rail” at the accident grade crossing. The team consisted of a welding team (a grinder and a welder in the welding truck) and a maintenance team (four employees, a foreman who was also the roadway worker-in-charge of the m/w team, and a laborer in a pickup truck; and two vehicle operators in a boom truck).

“The roadway worker-in-charge had planned for the welding team and the maintenance team to position their trucks on either side of the track so that the rear of the trucks would be within a few feet of the track with the front of the trucks facing away from each other,” the NTSB reported. “This position would allow the welding team and the maintenance team to access the hydraulic systems of both trucks to facilitate the replacement work. According to this plan, the welding team and the maintenance team would wait for scheduled trains to pass, the roadway worker-in-charge would then establish track protection and conduct a job briefing, after which the welding team and the maintenance team would begin the replacement work.”

At about 10:40 a.m., the welding team drove down the gravel road on the south side of the track and waited for the maintenance team to arrive, according to the NTSB. About 15 minutes later, it said, the roadway worker-in-charge of the m/w team and the laborer drove down the same gravel road in the pickup truck and stopped behind the welding truck. Shortly after this, the NTSB continued, the vehicle operators backed the boom truck down the gravel road and stopped beside the pickup truck. “Because the boom truck arrived on the south side of the track, the welding team decided to back the welding truck over the accident grade crossing to the north side of the track because the trucks needed to be on either side of the track to perform the rail replacement work,” the NTSB reported.

The NTSB said that its review of the inward-facing camera in the welding truck “showed that at 10:59:45 a.m., the grinder began to back the welding truck toward the accident grade crossing. Video footage from the camera revealed that the welder was mostly looking out of the passenger side window and the grinder was using the side-view mirrors on the driver and the passenger sides to maneuver the truck. Video footage showed that the grinder did not accelerate to clear the track as the train was approaching from the 64th Avenue grade crossing.” According to the NTSB, its interview with the welder “confirmed that he did not see the train as they were backing over the accident grade crossing until about 4 seconds before the accident when he saw the train’s headlights in the side-view mirror on the driver side.” The maintenance team on the south side of the track “saw the train approaching and broadcast warnings over their radios to alert the welder and the grinder,” the NTSB reported.

The government agency noted that BNSF Safety Rule S-12.8 on backing vehicles, instructs employees to “position the vehicle, when possible, to avoid backup movement.” According to the rule, in cases where there are no other options, the NTSB reported, “BNSF requires a person to be present on the ground to guide the movement” and “also requires the person to inspect the ground to the rear of the vehicle and the driver to sound the horn if the vehicle is not equipped with backup alarms and to stop the vehicle if the person guiding the movement disappears from view.”

In its report, the NTSB said its review of the forward-facing cameras in the train’s lead locomotive revealed that at 10:59:47a.m., “the train horn sounded multiple times as the train approached the 64th Avenue grade crossing.” Additionally, the NTSB’s review of the inward-facing camera in the train’s lead locomotive “confirmed that the train crew was alert in the moments leading up to the accident.”

The NTSB said its “investigation confirmed that the actions of the train crew did not contribute to the accident” and the crew “took prompt action when they saw the welding truck backing over the accident grade crossing and applied the emergency brakes.”

Probable Cause

The probable cause of the accident, the NTSB reported, “was the welding team’s failure to detect the approaching BNSF Railway freight train as they were backing the welding truck over the private highway-railroad grade crossing.” Contributing to the accident: “the welding team’s noncompliance with BNSF Railway’s Safety Rule S-12.8, which requires positioning a person on the ground to guide the movement,” according to the government agency. Further contributing to the accident, it noted, “was the inadequate understanding of BNSF Railway’s Safety Rule S-12.8 by BNSF Railway employees.”

Lessons Learned

“This accident highlights the dangers of backing vehicles over railroad tracks without positioning a person on the ground to guide the movement and the importance of following safety rules when backing vehicles over railroad tracks,” the NTSB said. “After the accident, BNSF clarified the backing rule by adding a section (Section S-12.8.1) that focuses on backing vehicles over railroad crossings, which emphasizes that either a person on the ground or on-track safety should be used during the movement.”

The post NTSB Determines Probable Cause for BNSF M/w Employee Fatality appeared first on Railway Age.

For fourth-quarter 2025, NS reported that revenue was $3.0 billion, income from railway operations was $937 million, operating ratio was 68.5%, and diluted earnings per share were $2.87.

After adjusting the results to exclude merger-related expenses and the effects of the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment in 2023, fourth-quarter income from railway operations was $1.0 billion, the operating ratio was 65.3%, and diluted earnings per share were $3.22.

For fourth-quarter 2025, NS posted:

• Railway operating revenues of $3.0 billion, down $50 million, or 2%, compared to the fourth quarter 2024, on a volume decline of 4% year-over-year.  
  
  
• Income from railway operations was $937 million, a decrease of $194 million, or 17%, compared to fourth quarter 2024 which included railway line sales of $53 million. Fourth quarter 2025 includes a large land sale that resulted in a net gain of $85 million.
  • Adjusting for: the effects of the Eastern Ohio incident in both years; merger-related expenses in 2025; and gains on railway line sales in 2024, income from railway operations was $1.0 billion, down $31 million, or 3%, compared to adjusted fourth quarter 2024.
    
    
• Operating ratio in the quarter was 68.5% compared to 62.6% in fourth quarter 2024 which included the aforementioned railway line sales.
  • Adjusting for merger-related expenses and the effects of the Eastern Ohio incident, the operating ratio for the quarter was 65.3%.
    
    
• Diluted earnings per share were $2.87, down $0.36, or 11%, compared to fourth quarter 2024 which included the aforementioned railway line sales.
  • Adjusting for merger-related expenses and the effects of the Eastern Ohio incident, diluted earnings per share were $3.22, up $0.18, or 6%, compared to adjusted fourth quarter 2024.

For full-year 2025, NS posted:

• Railway operating revenues of $12.2 billion, up $57 million, compared to full year 2024.
  • Fuel surcharge revenue declined $134 million compared to 2024, which represents a 1% headwind to overall revenues.
    
    
• Income from railway operations was $4.4 billion, an increase of $285 million, or 7%, compared to full year 2024.
  • Adjusting for: the impact of merger-related expenses in 2025; restructuring and other charges in both years; the Eastern Ohio incident in both years; and gains on railway line sales in 2024, income from railway operations was $4.3 billion, up $122 million, or 3%, compared to adjusted 2024.
    
    
• Operating ratio in 2025 was 64.2%, an improvement of 220 basis points, compared to 66.4% in 2024.
  • Adjusting for the impact of merger-related expenses, restructuring and other charges, and the Eastern Ohio incident, the operating ratio for 2025 was 65.0%. This represents 80 basis points of improvement from adjusted 2024 which was 65.8%. 
    
    
• Diluted earnings per share were $12.75, an increase of 10% compared to 2024.
  • Adjusting for the impact of merger-related expenses, restructuring and other charges, and the Eastern Ohio incident, diluted earnings per share were $12.49, up $0.64, or 5%, compared to adjusted 2024.

“In the face of a volatile and challenging macro-economic backdrop, our team focused on the controllables—delivering outsized productivity savings in excess of $215 million that accompanies our safety and service improvements. As we move through 2026, the demand environment remains unclear, but we are steadfastly focused on prioritizing the safety of our employees and communities, delivering consistent customer service, and driving further productivity gains to contain our costs in any volume environment,” said George.

The post NS: ‘Reliable Service, Measurable Safety Gains’ appeared first on Railway Age.

Rails of Sheffield, the exclusive retailer for Sonic Models, have released images of the forthcoming N Gauge GCR A5 4-6-2 tank locomotive, which now due for release later this year.

Starting June 1, the Regional Transportation Authority, the agency overseeing Chicagoland transit, will be reorganized into the Northern Illinois Transit Authority. 

The reorganization follows Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signing legislation last year to help the state’s major transit operators — Metra, Chicago Transit Authority, and Pace bus services — avoid a fiscal cliff. As part of that, the agencies are being restructured to improve service coordination. A new board will also be created. Eventually, a universal fare system will be implemented, making it easier to transfer between systems. 

—Justin Franz

The post Goodbye RTA, Hello NITA: Chicagoland Prepares for Reorganized Transit System appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

(Courtesy of CPKC)

“Our fourth-quarter and full-year results demonstrate exceptional execution in a challenging market by controlling what we could control,” Creel also noted.

(Courtesy of CPKC)

Following are among CPKC’s fourth-quarter 2025 results:

• Revenues came in at $C3.9 billion, up 1% from fourth-quarter 2024.

(Courtesy of CPKC)

• Reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) decreased to C$1.20 from C$1.28 in the same quarter in 2024, and core adjusted diluted EPS increased 3% to C$1.33 from C$1.29 in 2024.

• The reported operating ratio (OR) decreased 80 basis points (bps) to 58.9% and core adjusted OR was 55.9%, a 120 bps improvement—both were records, according to CPKC.

(Courtesy of CPKC)

CPKC also reported “record” fourth-quarter operating metrics in train weights, network speed, locomotive productivity, and car miles per car day (see above).

(Courtesy of CPKC)

CPKC’s full-year 2025 highlights include:

• Revenues were up 4% to C$15.1 billion from C$14.5 billion in 2024.

• Reported OR decreased 160 bps to 62.8% and core adjusted OR improved to a “CPKC record-low” of 59.9%, a 140 bps improvement year-over-year, CPKC said.

• Reported diluted EPS increased to C$4.51 from C$3.98 in 2024, while core adjusted diluted EPS rose 8% to C$4.61 from C$4.25 in 2024.

(Courtesy of CPKC)

According to CPKC, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)-reportable personal injury frequency decreased to 0.92 from 0.95 in 2024, and FRA-reportable train accident frequency decreased to 0.85 from 1.01 in 2024. The Canadian Class I railroad said that 2025 was the third consecutive year that it “led the industry with the lowest FRA-reportable train accident frequency among Class I railroads, building on Canadian Pacific’s legacy of 17 consecutive years of industry leadership.”

2026 Outlook (Courtesy of CPKC)

CPKC provided the following full-year 2026 guidance:  

• “Low double-digit core adjusted diluted EPS growth vs. 2025 core adjusted diluted EPS of C$4.61.

• “Mid-single digit volume growth, as measured in Revenue Ton Miles.

• “Capital expenditures of C$2.65 billion, a reduction of approximately 15% from 2025.”

The railroad said it based its guidance on these “key assumptions”: a core adjusted effective tax rate of 24.75% and “other components of net periodic benefit recovery will be C$441 million in 2026.”

“Looking ahead to 2026,” Keith Creel said, “record grain harvests and a pipeline of unique growth opportunities position this company to continue producing differentiated results.”

Visit CPKC’s Investor Relations webpage for more fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 details.

Further Reading:

• CPKC, NS Advance Locomotive Modernizations
• 2025 CPKC Holiday Train Raises Record $2MM
• CPKC 3Q25: ‘Profitable, Sustainable Growth’
• CPKC 2Q25: ‘Strong Growth, 2H25 Momentum’; UP+NS Perspective
• CPKC 1Q25: ‘Solid Demand, Precision Execution, Resilient Network’

Also, join Railway Age on March 10, 2026 for our “Next-Gen Freight Rail Conference” at the Union League Club of Chicago. Among the confirmed speakers are Keith Creel, Jim Vena (UP), Mark George (NS), Tracy Robinson (CN), Tom G. Williams (BNSF), and Patrick Fuchs and Michelle Schultz (STB).

The post CPKC: ‘Exceptional Execution in Challenging Market’ appeared first on Railway Age.

VRE VRE System Map (Courtesy of VRE)

Keolis on Jan. 27 reported landing a new commuter rail operations and maintenance contract from VRE, which runs from the Northern Virginia suburbs to Alexandria, Crystal City, and downtown Washington, D.C., along the I-66 and I-95 corridors (see map above). It follows a competitive procurement process.

Keolis has been serving VRE since 2010, maintaining operations for 32 weekday trains over two lines that span 90 route miles. The VRE fleet of 20 diesel locomotives and 100 passenger railcars is operated by more than 100 Keolis employees, performing equipment, facilities, and lifecycle maintenance.

“Keolis has [had] an exemplary safety record during its tenure at VRE with no train accidents and multiple work units achieving a decade or more of injury-free service,” said the company that provides public transit services throughout the U.S. and Canada, including Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Commuter Rail. “Additionally, since 2015 Keolis has maintained ISO 9001 certification at VRE, which underscores its commitment to continuous improvement toward the highest quality and safety standards.”

The renewed contract commences in July 2026 and has the potential to expand to 15 years. Keolis said it will continue VRE train operations and equipment maintenance, as well as select facilities maintenance and lifecycle maintenance services.

“We are honored that VRE has once again placed its trust in Keolis,” Keolis President and CEO Brad Thomas said. “This [contract] renewal underscores the operational excellence our teams deliver each day, and we remain committed to the highest standards of safety, reliability, and customer service as we support the DMV [District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia] region’s mobility needs.”

Further Reading:

• Katie Choe to Lead VRE (Part of People News)
• VRE Adopts System Plan 2050 (Part of Transit Briefs)
• Skanska JV, VPRA Sign Contract to Build Long Bridge North in Washington, D.C.

Metrolinx (Courtesy of Metrolinx)

The first phase of construction has begun for GO Transit’s Bowmanville Extension project, the Ontario government reported Jan. 27. The project will extend the Lakeshore East GO line 11.6 miles (18.7 kilometers) past its current service terminus in Oshawa and into Durham Region. It will include four stations at Thornton’s Corners East, Ritson Road, Courtice, and Bowmanville (see map above). Once complete, the government said, the Bowmanville Extension will deliver two-way, all-day service, and run every half hour during peak periods, hourly during off-peak periods, and every two hours on weekends. It is slated to accommodate 17,000 daily trips and 4.9 million boardings annually by 2041.

The first construction phase includes rebuilding and modifying bridges along the corridor, relocating utilities, and making improvements at the Durham College Oshawa GO Station and the adjacent VIA Rail building. Early works began in spring 2025 and included tree clearing, geotechnical investigations along the corridor, and the installation of a new water main in Oshawa, according to the Ontario government.

Metrolinx in 2023 selected Bowmanville Construction Partners, a joint venture of Ledcor CMI Ltd. and Dragados Canada Inc., as construction manager for the Bowmanville Extension project.

Further Reading:

• Eglinton Crosstown ‘Substantially Complete’
• Finch West LRT Opens
• RAC Members Earn Safety, Environment Awards

The post Transit Briefs: VRE, Metrolinx appeared first on Railway Age.

NICTD

David Dech, effective March 16, will succeed Michael Noland as President of NICTD, operator of the South Shore Line commuter railroad, “bringing the native Ohioan back to the region where he began his career,” according to a Lakeshore Public Media report.

According to the report, after the NICTD Board Trustees confirmed Dech’s appointment he said, “I spent 23 years with CSX, and this is really a full-circle moment for me. When I started on the railroad 30 years ago, I used to take trains through Miller and Gary, going into Chicago with CSX as an engineer and conductor.”

Since 2022, Dech has led the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) as Executive Director. He previously worked at Capital Metro in Austin, Texas, also a commuter railroad, “though he noted he’ll need to adapt to an electric railroad, having worked at diesel-powered ones before,” according to the Lakeshore Public Media report. Dech will become NICTD’s third leader since its founding in 19777.

According to the report, Noland is retiring after a decade “highlighted by the Double Track project that recapitalized the line between Gary and Michigan City and the West Lake Corridor project that is extending it eight miles southward through Hammond and Munster.”

“I’ll have the confidence to sleep at night knowing that the railroad’s in great hands, and there’s exciting things that are coming,” Noland said.

Dech said he’s “excited to join NICTD at a time when the South Shore Line is in good condition and is expanding service,” according to the report.

HNTB

HNTB announced Jan. 27 that Kimberly Lesay has joined the firm as a Practice Consultant in its Planning Department. In this role, Lesay “will leverage her extensive experience in transportation planning and environmental policy to support HNTB’s clients and projects across Connecticut and the Northeast.”

Lesay has more than 30 years of experience in the transportation industry, including leadership roles at the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), where she served as Bureau Chief of Policy & Planning. In that role, she led multidisciplinary teams responsible for fulfilling federal planning requirements and advanced statewide transportation initiatives. She was responsible for the integration of the Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) into CTDOT’s statewide planning process, which improved overall project development and helped identify strategic independent projects for the state. Her leadership also established new units with the Bureau that focused on active transportation as well as sustainability and resilience.

“I am excited to join HNTB and contribute to projects that shape the future of transportation in our region,” said Lesay. “HNTB’s commitment to technical excellence and collaboration aligns perfectly with my passion for delivering sustainable, innovative solutions that serve communities and improve mobility.”

Previously, Lesay managed the Office of Environmental Planning at CTDOT, overseeing regulatory compliance and permitting for major infrastructure projects. She worked closely with federal and state agencies to streamline processes and improve project delivery while protecting environmental resources. In this role, and as Bureau Chief, Lesay successfully led and supported legislative changes on the state level to streamline the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection hearing process.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kimberly to our team,” said Jake Argiro, HNTB’s Connecticut Office Leader and Vice President. “Her deep knowledge of transportation planning and proven ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes will be invaluable to our clients. Kimberly’s leadership and collaborative approach will strengthen our planning practice and help us deliver exceptional results. She will play a key role in supporting strategic initiatives throughout the region.”

Lesay is a recognized leader in the industry, having served on the WTS Connecticut Advisory Board, on the Connecticut Port Authority Board of Directors on behalf of the CTDOT Commissioner, and several working groups for the Governor’s Council on Climate Change. She was named WTS Connecticut Woman of the Year in 2021 and is a graduate of the AASHTO Executive Institute.

GoRail

GoRail has provided the following memoriam in honor of its dear colleague and friend, Michael Brian Gaynor, who passed away recently.

Gaynor joined GoRail (then Go21) in 2007 as a Midwest state organizer out of his home state of Ohio. He “expeditiously” assumed the role of National Field Director in 2010, and then Assistant Vice President of Field Operations in 2015, “using his keen political instinct to lead GoRail’s team of organizers across countless campaigns that have driven significant impact for the freight rail industry.” Gaynor assumed the role of GoRail President in 2025, “working diligently to make the transition seamless and to successfully position GoRail for its next chapter.”

“Gaynor’s body of work was both wide-ranging and deeply impactful. As a state director, he was a relentless organizer—meeting with thousands of local leaders, creating advocacy opportunities, and engaging people where they were. He approached every conversation and every campaign with the same discipline and integrity,” GoRail wrote.

“At the same time, Gaynor wasn’t just a skilled field organizer but also a leader who elevated those around him. He believed that good leaders modeled what should be done—and that’s exactly what he did every day, holding himself to a standard that we all tried to match. He had a competitive side that was contagious and drove results. At the same time, he deeply cared for each of us, showing his compassion and thoughtfulness in quiet and consistent ways. He was quick to laugh at a joke or tell a funny story—and his face lit up when he was excited about a new idea or campaign.

“Beyond his many professional accomplishments, Gaynor took great pride in being a devoted husband to Elizabeth and father to Nate and Collin. He was a true renaissance man: a foodie and wine connoisseur, Phish Phan, outdoorsman and hunter, and an adrenaline junkie who took joy in riding and racing motorcycles with his sons, and at one point was a certified skydiver.

“Gaynor’s enduring imprint can be seen across our team and work. He was a respected leader, a tireless advocate for freight rail, and a valued colleague to so many across the industry. He was a good man and a good friend. We will miss and think of him every day. We’ll also hold dear the thousands of shared memories across his nearly two decades at GoRail.”

The post People News: NICTD, HNTB, GoRail appeared first on Railway Age.

Ohio: ‘Steep Declines in Both Volume and Train Length’

On RailState’s Ohio network, the storm produced the sharpest adjustments.

In the baseline period (Nov. 26, 2025, through Jan. 23, 2026), RailState observed 35.2 trains per day across sensor locations on Norfolk Southern (NS). During the storm window (January 24–26), that fell to 27.3 trains per day—a 22.5% drop.

Train lengths on RailState’s Ohio network also fell sharply. The median train shrank from 6,473 feet to 5,580 feet—a 13.8% reduction, “the steepest length change across all three states RailState monitors.”

By direction on RailState’s Ohio sites:

• Eastbound median: 6,225 → 5,663 feet (–9.0%)
• Westbound median: 6,929 → 5,497 feet (–20.7%)

Westbound trains on RailState’s Ohio network became more than a fifth shorter during the storm.

Among major train types on RailState’s Ohio sites:

• Intermodal median: 7,098 → 5,619 feet (–20.8%)
• Manifest median: 6,637 → 5,327 feet (–19.7%)

On its Ohio network, “both volume and length declined significantly, with westbound and time-sensitive freight types showing the largest shifts,” according to RailState.

Pennsylvania: ‘Larger Volume Drop, Moderate Length Changes’

On RailState’s Pennsylvania network, “train volumes fell more sharply than in Ohio, but train lengths held closer to baseline.”

Baseline average on RailState’s Pennsylvania sites: 50.5 trains per day. Storm window average: 36.7 trains per day (–27.4%).

Median train length on RailState’s Pennsylvania network: 5,965 → 5,670 feet (–5.0%).

The directional split on RailState’s Pennsylvania sites shows different patterns:

• Eastbound median: 5,930 → 5,308 feet (–10.5%)
• Westbound median: 5,988 → 6,116 feet (+2.1%)

“Eastbound trains on RailState’s Pennsylvania network got noticeably shorter. Westbound trains on those same sites actually lengthened slightly,” according to the network visibility provider.

Among major train types on RailState’s Pennsylvania sites:

• Intermodal median: 6,040 → 5,414 feet (–10.4%)
• Manifest median: 6,136 → 5,670 feet (–7.6%)

On its Pennsylvania network, “volumes contracted more than in Ohio, but the trains that ran maintained most of their typical configurations,” according to RailState.

Indiana: ‘Minimal Length Changes Despite Volume Drop’

On RailState’s Indiana network—the busiest of the three states by train count—”train volumes declined but lengths barely shifted.” RailState’s network currently covers NS’s Chicago Line subdivision and CSX’s Garrett subdivision.

Baseline on RailState’s Indiana sites: 95.1 trains per day. Storm window: 74.3 trains per day (–21.9%).

Median train length on RailState’s Indiana network changed only 1.6% (from 6,327 to 6,228 feet), “a statistical rounding error compared to the changes observed in Ohio and Pennsylvania.”

Directional patterns on RailState’s Indiana sites differ from the other two states:

• Eastbound median: 6,212 → 5,912 feet (–4.8%)
• Westbound median: 6,513 → 6,991 feet (+7.3%)

Westbound trains on RailState’s Indiana network increased in size during the storm, more than 7% longer than baseline.

Train types on RailState’s Indiana sites:

• Intermodal median: 7,038 → 6,939 feet (–1.4%)
• Manifest median: 6,188 → 5,844 feet (–5.6%)
• Automotive median: 7,413 → 7,987 feet (+7.7%)

On its Indiana network, “train volumes fell roughly a fifth, but train configurations—especially westbound and automotive—remained close to or above typical sizes,” according to RailState.

Together, these findings, RailState says, show that Winter Storm Fern did not have a single, uniform “rail story,” even across neighboring states. “Each monitored network segment experienced its own pattern of volume and length changes, and those differences only emerge when every train is measured in real time.”

The post RailState: Winter Storm Fern Impacts Network Across Three States appeared first on Railway Age.

Norfolk Southern_2025 Safety ReportDownload

The railroad attributed its overall safety achievements to:

• A “Speak Up” culture: “Driven by a shared commitment to the core value of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement,” NS said every employee is empowered with Stop Work Authority from day one on the job; 100% of operations leaders have completed safety leadership training; and systemwide Safety Walkabouts and labor partnerships have been expanded “to strengthen engagement and enhance the skills and capabilities of our professional railroaders.”

• Technology at scale: “We leveraged advanced technology to identify issues earlier and make our operations safer,” NS said. The railroad installed three additional digital train inspection portals, bringing the total to 10 systemwide; deployed five additional automated track geometry measurement system (ATGMS)-equipped locomotives, expanding the fleet to 25 monitoring track conditions in real time; and installed 265 hot bearing detectors over the past three years, bringing the total to 1,184 networkwide and reducing average spacing to “just over 11 miles on core routes.”

• Prepared communities: “We take pride in being a part of the communities we serve, and we continue to support first responder organizations across our network, helping to keep our communities safe,” NS reported. In 2025, more than 5,800 first responders received training through NS’ Operation Awareness & Response program, and $1.6 million in grants were awarded to first responder organizations through NS’ Safety First grants “to strengthen emergency response capabilities.”

“Safety is a core value and the foundation of everything we do at Norfolk Southern,” NS President and CEO Mark George said. “It’s the lens through which every decision is made. From the boardroom to the front line, the Thoroughbred team focuses on providing safe and reliable service to our customers, our communities and our employees. This report is a comprehensive accounting of the steps we’re taking and the progress we’ve made—in the crew room, on the ballast line and in our communities. We’re continuously raising our standards for excellence, guided by our commitment to safety.”

“Norfolk Southern continues to strengthen a culture where every voice matters,” said NS Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer John Orr, Railway Age’s 2026 Railroader of the Year. “Every employee is empowered to speak up about issues and share ideas. Together, we’re enhancing an environment grounded in our core value of safety—one that supports open dialogue, collaborative problem solving, and continuous improvement across all levels of the organization, from craft employees to senior leadership.”

“At Norfolk Southern, safety is more than the absence of incidents; it’s a core value that creates a culture of accountability driven by the grit and dedication of our professional railroaders,” NS Vice President and Chief Safety Officer John Fleps said. “Safety is a daily grind of continuous improvement, pairing strategic initiatives with sweat equity to shape behaviors, refine processes, and enhance procedures that build a safer, more productive, and more reliable network.”

John Orr will be presented with the Railroader of the Year Award at the traditional dinner hosted by the Western Railway Club at the Union League Club of Chicago on March 10. Orr and Mark George are featured speakers at Railway Age’s Next-Generation Freight Rail Conference, to be held the same day in the same location.

SHOALS RESEARCH AIRPARK SITE, Muscle Shoals, Colbert, Ala. (Courtesy of NS)

Also on Jan. 27, NS reported that its industrial development site in the Shoals region of northwest Alabama has received a platinum designation from the national REDI Sites Program. This top designation, it said, is awarded to properties that meet “rigorous readiness criteria.“

The rail-served site with utility infrastructure is in a region with “a highly skilled” workforce, according to the railroad.

“Today’s [Jan. 27] designation for our Shoals-area site underscores Norfolk Southern’s continued commitment to developing quality, shovel-ready sites that rail shippers can trust to meet their evolving business needs,” NS Director Industrial Development MaryBeth Flournoy said. “With its access to markets across the Southeast and Midwest, the Shoals site is positioned to attract companies looking to grow their business with rail.”

“At the Shoals Economic Development Authority, we are focused on advancing The Shoals region as a competitive and attractive destination for business and industry,” added Kevin Jackson, Shoals EDA President. “Our sites and buildings are central to that strategy, and this designation further reinforces our efforts. We appreciate Norfolk Southern’s partnership and its efforts to highlight the potential of this site.” 

Further Reading:

• Nine NS-Served Industrial Properties Recognized by National REDI Sites Program
• NS 2024: $4.3B+ of Industrial Development

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