AAR: U.S. combined rail volume up 5.7% in latest week

(Bloomberg)

Intermodal volume in the U.S. grew by 6.4% for the week that ended Sept. 20 compared to the year-ago level, according to the Association of American Railroads. Carload traffic increased by 5%, for a total jump in combined rail traffic of 5.7% for the week compared with the same period last year. RailwayAge.com (9/25)

Security attracts shippers to rail in Mexico
Mexico's rail industry is on an upward trajectory as companies turn to rail for its reliability and security, according to this article. "We deal with big security problems in Mexico. The best way we try to skip this problem is (using) rail," said Mauricio Talayero Gonzalez, chief financial officer at COSTCO Wholesale Mexico. In addition, crossing the border with Kansas City Southern, BNSF or Union Pacific is easier and less expensive than shipping by truck. The Journal of Commerce (9/25)

Remembering John Burdakin, past president of Grand Trunk Western
John Burdakin, 92, a former president of Grand Trunk Western Railroad, died Sept. 11 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was the first railroad employee inducted into the Michigan Department of Transportation's Hall of Honor. Burdakin was also a longtime board member of William Beaumont Hospital. ProgressiveRailroading.com (9/25)

Infrastructure & Economic Spotlight

U.S. data upbeat despite drop in orders, rise in jobless claims
A drop in volatile aircraft orders sent overall U.S. orders for durable goods into a nosedive last month, with the 18.2% decline in sharp contrast to July's 22.5% gain. However, rising domestic demand continues to lift the manufacturing sector. Separately, the latest employment indicator remained positive, with initial claims for jobless benefits rising less than expected and staying below 300,000 last week. Reuters (9/25), Reuters (9/25)

CN sells line to Metrolinx
Canadian National has completed the sale of a rail line west of Toronto to Metrolinx for more than $65 million. The line is used primarily by GO Transit passenger trains. RT&S online (9/25), International Railway Journal (U.K.) (9/2014)

Ga. ports authority updates infrastructure improvements underway

(Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Curtis Foltz provided an overview of infrastructure improvements underway that will allow the Port of Savannah to more than double its current throughput within the next 10 years. The harbor there is being deepened and a cargo beltway built to connect the port with Interstates 16 and 95. The port handled 3.14 million TEUs in fiscal 2014, an increase of 6.3% over the prior year. WJCL-TV/WTGS-TV (Savannah, Ga.) (9/25)

Safety & Security

NS, Dow provide training to Tenn. firefighters
Norfolk Southern and Dow Chemical recently joined forces to provide training to a group of firefighters in Knoxville, Tenn. The group was able to train on tank cars in preparation for a leak or other rail-related incident. WVLT-TV (Knoxville, Tenn.) (9/25)

UP CARES comes to Mo.
Union Pacific Police, and police departments from the Missouri towns of Dexter and Independence along with the State Highway Patrol coordinated for a UP CARES safety event on Thursday. UP provided locomotives while law enforcement monitored intersections for potentially unsafe drivers. The Dexter Daily Statesman (Mo.) (9/26), The Examiner (Independence, Mo.) (9/26)

AAR News

AAR reports increased weekly rail traffic
The Association of American Railroads on Thursday reported increased U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Sept. 20, with 302,178 total carloads, up 5% compared with the same week last year. Total U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 279,777 units, up 6.4% compared with the same week last year. Total combined U.S. weekly rail traffic was 581,955 carloads and intermodal units, up 5.7% compared with the same week last year. Read more.

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