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Amtrak granted right to move freight by STB

WASHINGTON – In a move that might help Amtrak’s money woes, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) gave the passenger carrier wide freedom to ship goods on its trains that use freight railroad’s tracks.

In a decision that has irked freight railroads, the STB okayed Amtrak’s right to ship freight. The freight carriers argued that Amtrak’s charter prevented the national passenger carrier from carrying cargo such as beer and some manufactured goods. The freight carriers fear Amtrak competition.

The STB decision affirms Amtrak’s right to continue to handle carload and trailerload-sized shipments of express on its scheduled passenger trains. Amtrak said the STB’s ruling allows it to "continue to steadily grow the express business consistent with the manner it which we have built our mail business and the way that other private businesses achieve growth."

Philadelphia transit strike seems inevitable for today

PHILADELPHIA – Unless the unexpected happens, the long-running contract talks between SEPTA and TWU Local 234 will come to a head here at noon today when a strike will begin.

As of this morning, there has been no breakthrough in contract talks. That means the 5,300 members of TWU Local 234, who have been working without a contract since March 15, will strike.

More details will be provided as they become available.

Railroads big and small fail to reach agreements

WASHINGTON – The Association of American Railroads and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association told the STB that they have failed to reach a broad agreement on commercial issues, such as interchange, service and rates after weeks of closed-door talks.

Talks, however, may continue during this week before a possible administrative solution to these issues that the railroads have discussed among themselves is imposed.

The STB has directed the carriers to meet with the intention of strengthening their commercial ties.

Woman hit and killed by freight train

HALLANDALE, Fla. – A pregnant women, who left a nearby baseball park, seemingly intentionally walked in front of a CSX freight train here this weekend and was hit and killed.

According to three witnesses, the woman appeared to be upset and crying as she walked into the train, which did not have time to stop.