July 2021 – Railfanning.org

Fiscal 2022 Bill Includes Billions for Rail, Northeast Corridor

July 30, 2021 The Center Square

The seven-bill fiscal 2022 appropriations package the U.S. House of Representatives passed includes billions of dollars for rail projects.

New Jersey Congress Members Want FTA to Commit to ‘Long-Standing’ Funding Formula

July 27, 2021 The Center Square

New Jersey’s House delegation has banded together to urge the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to keep the agency’s long-standing funding formula when it allocates $14.2 billion in funding to transit agencies in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

DeFazio Opposes Proposed Canadian National-Kansas City Southern Merger

July 26, 2021 Railfanning.org News Wire

U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, sent a letter to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) opposing the approval of a trust for the proposed merger of the Canadian National (CN) and Kansas City Southern (KCS) railroads.

Railroad Industry Worried About Biden Executive Order

July 20, 2021 The Center Square

An executive order signed by President Joe Biden that could force railroads to allow other operators to use their tracks could reduce competition and increase costs, according to industry experts.

CSX Completes Acquisition of Bulk Chemical Transporter Quality Carriers

July 6, 2021 Railfanning.org News Wire

Quality Carriers operates more than 2,500 trucks and 6,400 trailers that serve many of the largest chemical producers and processors. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Polis signs off on bill establishing Front Range rail district

July 4, 2021 The Center Square

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed legislation Wednesday to create a district for a Front Range passenger rail, a high-speed rail system that will stretch from southern Colorado to the Wyoming border.

INVEST in America Act would send $13.5 billion to the Northeast Corridor

July 2, 2021 The Center Square

The U.S. House signed off on legislation that could send billions of dollars to Amtrak for the Northeast Corridor, but precisely how the railroad might use the money is unclear.

BNSF Adds Sites in Montana, Texas to its Certified Sites Designation Program

July 2, 2021 Railfanning.org News Wire

BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) awarded locations in Montana and Texas to its Certified Sites designation, bringing to three the number of such sites in the two states.

CSX Submits Expanded Application to STB as Part of Pan Am Acquisition

July 2, 2021 Railfanning.org News Wire

CSX Corp. will submit an amended and supplemented application to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) as part of the previously announced agreement to acquire New England’s Pan Am Railway’s Inc.

Freight merger impacts must be studied, former official says

July 1, 2021 The Center Square

The largest merger of two railroad companies in two decades will mean more freight train traffic throughout Illinois. A former transportation official wants a thorough review done on how it will affect communities.