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Rail News Home People October 2016 Rail News: People

"You can't solve all of your problems with the same information from year to year ... You've got to get out there if you really want to improve things," says Metro-North's Bonilla.Photo – MTA Metro-North Railroad By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Associate EditorAnamaria Bonilla doesn't wait for solutions to fall into her lap. She actively seeks them out.In her role as assistant chief engineer of track and structures at MTA Metro-North Railroad, Bonilla led the effort to introduce new bridge and track inspection technology. One way she learns about the latest technological advances is by taking continuing education courses and attending rail conferences. And when her employer wasn't able to cover the cost of attending those conferences, Bonilla paid her own way. For her, the opportunity to network and glean new insights is invaluable. "You can't solve all of your problems with the same information from year to year, otherwise you're just going to repeat the same mistakes," she says. "You've got to get out there if you really want to improve things."Her commitment to finding solutions hasn't gone unnoticed. Earlier this month, Bonilla received the League of Railway Industry Women's "Outstanding Woman of The Year" award, which honors women who are making a positive impact on the rail industry. One accomplishment of note: Bonilla reached out to HNTB Corp. to develop the RailAdvise® bridge management system, which keeps an inventory of all of Metro-North's bridges. The technology, which was the first of its kind at Metro-North, has provided a way for the railroad's employees to access vital data with a few clicks, she says."You don't have to ask three different people for the latest inspection report. It's all right there on your desktop," Bonilla adds. "It puts information in everyone at Metro-North's hands so they can help us address problems."Metro-North rolled out RailAdvise following the Federal Railroad Administration's 2010 safety standards, which required railroads to adopt more stringent bridge inspection procedures.Bonilla also helped increase the number of staffers working on Metro-North's bridges. When she first started, the railroad had one bridge repair crew, but she brought that number to eight. To do that, she worked closely with MTA's long range planning department. She's also lobbied for more money from the capital program for bridge replacement and other rehab projects.In addition, Bonilla managed the procurement of Metro-North's first track inspection machine and oversaw the creation of an inventory tracking system of all rail joints — two measures that Metro-North officials say helped boost safety.Bonilla played a key role in the development of Metro-North's RailAdvise bridge management application.

10/26/2016    

Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN

Rail News Home Canadian National Railway - CN 10/26/2016 Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN
CN reported third-quarter revenue fell 6 percent to 3 billion Canadian dollars compared with year-ago results, as the Class I faced lower shipping volumes in coal, crude oil and frac sand.CN's third-quarter net income fell to CA$972 million, or CA$1.25 per diluted share, compared with net income of CA$1 billion, or CA$1.26 a year earlier, according to a CN press release.Operating income declined 5 percent to CA$1.4 billion during the quarter, compared with a year ago. Operating expenses fell 7 percent to CA$1.6 billion. The Class I's operating ratio was 53.3 percent, a 0.5-point improvement compared with the prior year quarter's performance."With solid execution from our industry-leading operating team and a network-wide focus on providing quality service, CN delivered outstanding results in the third quarter while facing a still sluggish North American and global economy," said Luc Jobin, CN president and chief executive officer."Despite shifting traffic demands, including a delayed Canadian grain harvest, we remained flexible and service-focused," Jobin said. "We also continued to reinvest in our business and infrastructure, investments that are driving ongoing safety, service and productivity improvements, while we maintained our commitment to providing the long-term value that helps CN and its customers succeed." CN raised its financial outlook and now expects 2016 adjusted diluted earnings per share to increase about 1 percent, compared with an earlier financial outlook that called for adjusted earnings per share to be in line with last year.By segment, CN reported revenue increases in grain and fertilizer, up 4 percent; automotive, up 3 percent; and forest products, up 2 percent.Also by segment, CN posted revenue decreases in coal, down 32 percent; metals and minerals, down 20 percent; and petroleum and chemicals, down 13 percent.CN's intermodal revenue declined 4 percent.The revenue decline was mainly attributable to lower volumes of crude oil, coal, and frac sand, and lower applicable fuel surcharge rates. Carloadings for the quarter declined 4 percent. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 10/26/2016

10/26/2016    

Rail News: Norfolk Southern Railway

Rail News Home Norfolk Southern Railway 10/26/2016 Rail News: Norfolk Southern Railway
Norfolk Southern Corp. reported third-quarter net income of $460 million, up 2 percent, and diluted earnings per share of $1.55, up 4 percent, compared with third-quarter results last year.The Class I surpassed surpassed Wall Street analysts' expectations for the quarter. Analysts expected NS to post earnings of $1.45 per share, according to a survey by Zacks Investment Research.NS' railway operating revenue fell 7 percent to $2.5 billion for the quarter compared with the same period a year ago, due to reduced volumes and lower fuel surcharge revenue. Overall volumes declined 4 percent to 1.9 million units for the quarter, according to an NS press release."Our continued focus on efficiency and asset utilization, balanced with our commitment to customer service, drove an operating ratio of 67.5 percent for the quarter and a record 68.7 percent for the first nine months, setting us well on the way to achieving productivity savings of about $250 million and an operating ratio below 70 percent for the year — even in the face of economic headwinds," said Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer James Squires.Moving forward, the company is well positioned for growth opportunities over the longer term, Squires said.Also during the quarter, NS reported general merchandise revenue dropped 10 percent to $1.6 billion compared with Q3 2015. The company's five merchandise commodity groups reported the following year-over-year revenue results:
• Chemicals, $408 million, down 10 percent;
• Agriculture, $380 million, even;
• Metals/construction, $337 million, up 2 percent;
• Automotive, $236 million, down 4 percent; and
• Paper/forest, $191 million, down 6 percent.Intermodal revenue slipped 7 percent to $575 million. Volume fell 1 percent as a result of lower volume from Triple Crown Services, which was restructured last year. Excluding Triple Crown Services, domestic intermodal volume and international volume rose 8 percent and 1 percent, respectively.NS' coal revenue declined 18 percent to $397 million compared with a year ago. Above-normal stockpiles and low natural gas prices combined to decrease coal volume by 15 percent.Railway operating expenses fell 10 percent to $1.7 billion primarily due to cost-cutting initiatives, lower fuel expenses, the absence of last year's restructuring costs, and gains from the disposition of operating property.Income from railway operations remained flat at $820 million compared with third-quarter 2015. The 67.5 operating ratio improved 2.2 points on a year-over-year basis. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 10/26/2016

10/25/2016    

Rail News: CSX Transportation

10/21/2016    

Rail News: BNSF Railway

Rail News Home BNSF Railway 10/21/2016 Rail News: BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway worked with CSX and two humanitarian organizations to move a trainload of relief supplies for hurricane survivors in Haiti. Photo – bnsfmedia.com

10/21/2016    

Rail News: BNSF Railway

10/20/2016    

Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad

10/19/2016    

Rail News: Canadian Pacific

Rail News Home Canadian Pacific 10/19/2016 Rail News: Canadian Pacific
Canadian Pacific's third-quarter revenue fell 9 percent to 1.55 billion Canadian dollars, while diluted earnings per share (EPS) rose 15 percent to CA$2.34 compared with revenue and earnings in third-quarter 2015, the Class I announced this morning.The railroad also announced an operating ratio of 57.7 percent, the "lowest-ever" when compared with adjusted operating ratios in previous quarters, CP officials said in a press release. In third quarter 2015, the Class I set a then-Q3 ratio record at 59.9.Analysts expected CP's Q3 revenue to come in around CA$1.23 billion and an EPS of CA$2.79 per share. CP posted an adjusted diluted Q3 EPS of CA$2.73."Despite decreased revenues, tied to a delayed grain harvest and stiff economic headwinds, our business model continues to perform on the cost side," said CP Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison. "Our commitment to efficiency, asset optimization, and operational excellence has produced yet another record-low operating ratio." By commodity, CP reported adjusted revenue during the quarter rose 1 percent for U.S. grain, 5 percent for fertilizers and sulphur, 8 percent for forest products, and 1 percent for chemicals and plastics. International intermodal revenue increased 5 percent for the quarter. Commodities that posted revenue decreases during the quarter were Canadian grain, down 15 percent; coal, down 2 percent; potash, down 1 percent; crude, down 88 percent; metals, minerals and consumer products, down 18 percent; and automotive, down 1 percent. Domestic intermodal revenue declined 2 percent.Considering the delayed grain harvest, lower crude volumes, a challenging Canadian economy compounded by a strengthening Canadian dollar, the company is now expecting mid-single-digit growth for 2016, according to Harrison."While disappointed that we will not meet our previous forecast, I am incredibly proud that despite these challenges, CP will deliver its lowest-ever annual operating ratio," said Harrison. "Our industry-leading operating plan and continued focus on improving service to our customers means we are well-positioned to capitalize on increasing volumes leading into 2017."Meanwhile, CP announced Nadeem Velani has been named vice president and chief financial officer. Velani has been serving as vice president and interim CFO since Sept. 9.Velani joined CP in March 2013 and served as VP of investor relations before becoming interim CFO. Prior to CP, he worked for 15 years at CN, where he served in strategic and financial planning, investor relations, sales and marketing and the office of president and CEO. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 10/19/2016

Rail News Home Rail Industry Trends October 2016 Rail News: Rail Industry Trends
— by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., editor
Pat Foran

10/18/2016    

Rail News: Kansas City Southern

Rail News Home Kansas City Southern 10/18/2016 Rail News: Kansas City Southern Kansas City Southern Railway Co. will increase train speed on 2.5 miles of track in Gulfport, Miss., starting Oct. 31, the railroad announced yesterday.Speed will increase on track between Martin Luther King Street and Highway 90 from 10 mph to 20 mph. The higher speed is possible because of a major track rehabilitation effort that will help aid economic development in the region, KCSR officials said in a press release.The railroad has partnered with Mississippi Operation Lifesaver in informing community members to be aware of the faster train speed. They urged motorists and pedestrians to stay off railroad rights of way and to "always expect a train" at any crossing. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 10/18/2016

10/18/2016    

Rail News: Kansas City Southern

Rail News Home Kansas City Southern 10/18/2016 Rail News: Kansas City Southern
Kansas City Southern's third-quarter revenue slipped 4 percent to $605 million versus the same quarter last year, the Class I reported this morning. Overall carload volumes fell 4 percent compared with a year ago. Excluding the peso and fuel-price factors, KCS' third-quarter revenue would have been down 1 percent compared with last year's quarter, company officials said in a press release.KCS third-quarter revenue declined in four commodity groups, which was partially offset by small increases in agriculture and minerals, and chemicals and petroleum. Intermodal revenue dropped 7 percent largely because of service disruptions on the Mexican network.Reduced U.S. drilling operations continue to affect KCS's crude oil and frac sand movements. As a result, energy revenue fell 15 percent during the third quarter versus a year ago.The railroad posted third-quarter net income of $121 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, compared with $132 million, or $1.20 per diluted share, in third-quarter 2015. Operating income for the quarter declined 9 percent to $200 million compared with year-ago results. The company's operating ratio was 66.9 percent, a 1.7 point increase from third-quarter 2015.The quarter's operating expenses were down 2 percent to $405 million compared with last year. However, excluding the estimated impacts of Mexican peso depreciation and lower U.S. fuel prices, operating expenses rose 2 percent. Also during the quarter, KCS recognized a $16 million Mexican fuel excise tax credit. Additionally, the Class I recorded a year-to-date adjustment to increase the incentive compensation level for the year."Kansas City Southern faced a challenging third quarter as extraneous events, including flooding outages and service disruptions on our Mexican network, resulted in additional operating costs," said President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Ottensmeyer. "In spite of these events, KCS' third-quarter carloads grew 5 percent sequentially with strength seen in both the automotive and energy commodity groups. Overall, the company remains committed to growth and we continue to invest and prepare for the many long-term opportunities on the horizon." Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 10/18/2016