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February 2009 - jstagl

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UTU's Szabo the next FRA Administrator?

The next FRA administrator might be Joseph Szabo. At least according to a Bloomberg news report issued yesterday. The United Transportation Union’s state director for Illinois is President Barack Obama’s top candidate for the job, the report...

Published 02-10-2009 3:40 PM by Jeff Stagl

Filed under: Safety, Labor
Class Is cite workforce, production cutbacks during 4Q conferences

Because of steep traffic declines associated with weak freight demand, the Class Is are shrinking their workforces and whittling down their rolling stock fleets. Senior executives at the six largest Class Is broached the subject during their fourth-quarter...

Published 02-04-2009 10:05 PM by Jeff Stagl
Indiana Honda plant a prime example of short lines' marketing potential

On Dec. 2, a monumental event occurred in the short-line industry. A Central Railroad Co. of Indiana (CIND) train moved the first batch of vehicles to be transported by rail from a new Honda Motor Co. automotive plant in Greensburg, Ind., to Cincinnati...

Published 02-04-2009 10:05 PM by Jeff Stagl

Filed under: Short Line/Regional
CSX's '09 agenda includes ONE Plan overhaul

Make a good thing better. That’s what CSX Corp. is aiming to do with the ONE Plan. Since the Class I rolled out the operational planning/execution software tool in second-half 2004, the railroad has reduced train starts about 6 percent, eliminated...

Published 02-04-2009 10:05 PM by Jeff Stagl
Crude oil key to Watco short lines' traffic growth

There are several traffic segments that pose the biggest carload-growth opportunities for short lines. Ethanol, certainly, is No. 1. Intermodal traffic, which has been soft throughout 2008, still is a top draw. And old standbys coal and grain remain high...

Published 02-04-2009 10:05 PM by Jeff Stagl

Filed under: Short Line/Regional
For NS, a few steps to self improvement

It’s hard to find your way on a long journey on an unfamiliar route without a road map. For Norfolk Southern Corp. , the directional tool that will guide the Class I down the right self-improvement path the next few years is “Track 2012.”...

Published 02-04-2009 10:05 PM by Jeff Stagl

Filed under: Operations
Railroaders among the ranks of the unemployed

In August, the U.S. unemployment rate reached 6.1 percent — the highest level in five years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rate has steadily risen after reaching 5 percent in April and 5.7 percent in July. U.S. employers shed...

Published 02-04-2009 10:05 PM by Jeff Stagl

Filed under: Labor
Rail-car supply more of a concern to shippers than the economy, informal poll shows

The North American economy isn’t strengthening, but it isn’t weakening a whole lot, either. And rail-car supplies are getting tighter. At least, according to the opinions of two dozen rail shippers. With an assist from the helpful folks at...

Published 02-04-2009 10:05 PM by Jeff Stagl

Filed under: Surveys
NS shifts automotive equipment gears to match car-buying pattern shifts

As is the case for all Class Is, automotive traffic volumes are down at Norfolk Southern Corp. — way down. Automotive carloads dropped about 12 percent in the second quarter to 116,300 units after tumbling 11 percent in the first quarter to 119...

Published 02-04-2009 10:05 PM by Jeff Stagl
No horsing around: Operation Lifesaver promotes crossing safety to equestrian set

When you think about the potential victim of a grade crossing accident, a motorist or truck driver comes to mind. But a horse? Yet, a collision between a train and horse tow vehicle or trailer at a crossing often causes a horse fatality, according to...

Published 02-04-2009 10:05 PM by Jeff Stagl
Two chemical shippers turn to their customers to help foot transportation bills

Railroads and trucking firms long have added fuel surcharges to shippers’ freight bills to compensate for diesel cost escalations. But now, with diesel prices and surcharges at record levels, two chemical shippers are passing their staggering transportation...

Published 02-04-2009 10:05 PM by Jeff Stagl
Networking opportunity: NS and 10 New York short lines to jointly test market ‘single-line’ moves

Record attendance and an all-time-high number of railroad representatives were hot topics in the exhibit hall, general session ballroom and break-out session salons at the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s (ASLRRA) annual meeting...

Published 02-04-2009 10:05 PM by Jeff Stagl

Filed under: Short Line/Regional, Marketing, Partnership
The after-effects of 'after train hits car'

As I was perusing the headlines on the news wires April 28 — something I do every morning to keep up with rail industry doings — I noticed this one from the AP: “Driver, 3 Children Unharmed After Train Hits Car in North Florida.”...

Published 02-04-2009 10:05 PM by Jeff Stagl
No more state funds for crossing repairs means Michigan short line adopts surcharge

Railroads long have been passing on higher diesel costs to shippers through fuel surcharges, but how about the cost to maintain grade crossings? Saginaw Bay Southern Railway (SBS) has instituted a surcharge of $20 per car to cover a portion of expenses...

Published 02-04-2009 10:05 PM by Jeff Stagl

Filed under: Short Line/Regional
Word on the Street: U.S. railroads are solid, fundamentally speaking

Even though the Standard & Poor's 500 index is down about 6 percent so far this year, the Dow Jones transportation average is up about 4 percent. What’s a major factor behind the healthy transportation index? U.S. railroads, which are employing...

Published 02-04-2009 10:05 PM by Jeff Stagl

Filed under: Financials

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