NORFOLK Southern will spend $US 2bn on capital improvement projects in 2013, including $US 831m on infrastructure maintenance and replacement of sections of rail, sleepers, ballast and bridges.
US Class 1 railway CSX says it plans to invest around $2.3 bn in its business in 2013 supporting initiatives to help meet long-term demand for railfreight, improve customer service and support the company's plans for long-term growth.
BNSF Railway, the second largest Class 1 railway in the United States, says it will increase capital investment this year by 11% to $US 4.1bn. This includes $US 2.3bn for infrastructure improvements, and $US 1bn for motive power and rolling stock.
PLANS to construct one of the world's most northerly railways have faltered because of difficulties in securing finance for the Mary River iron-ore mine on Baffin Island.
CALIFORNIA's high-speed project has taken an important step forward after the state Public Works Board gave California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) approval to begin negotiations for land acquisition for the 209km Initial Operating Section (IOS) Stage 1.
The first phase of a major upgrade of the Chicago - St Louis corridor through the heart of Illinois is complete. And with work continuing to finish the entire project by 2017, the line is considered a bellwether for future improvements to freight corridors that carry passenger services in the United States, as Kevin Smith and Railway Age managing editor Douglas John Bowen discover.
AMTRAK is planning to formally request revisions to United States Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) safety standards to facilitate the introduction of standard lightweight high-speed trains, a move US rail advocates have sought for at least two decades.
CANADIAN National (CN) ended 2012 by completing its merger of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway (EJ&E) into its Wisconsin Central (WC) subsidiary.
NORTH America's two largest shortline and regional rail operators are set to begin merging their operations after the United States Surface Transportation Board (STB) approved Genesee & Wyoming's (GWI) application to take control of the assets of RailAmerica from December 28.
THE board of Southern California commuter rail operator Metrolink has approved the purchase of 10 Tier 4-compliant locomotives from EMD, which it says will reduce locomotive emissions by 86%.
