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[CNJRoss]

4/13/20

 

 

 

 

Podcast: Latest Updates on COVID-19 and the Rail Industry Rail Group editors Bill Wilson and William C. Vantuono cover the latest news regarding COVID-19 and the rail industry.

 

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Railway Age 4/16/20
 

GBX Idles Gunderson Facility

 

 

The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (GBX) has suspended new railcar production at its Greenbrier Gunderson flagship manufacturing facility in Portland, Ore., due to the economic impacts of COVID-19.

 

Greenbrier said “adjustments in production and staffing levels respond to current and anticipated levels of new freight railcar demand, along with earlier announced plans to cut costs and strengthen the balance sheet globally.” Greenbrier’s Jones Act-compliant marine business will continue operating.

 

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[CNJRoss]

Railway Age 4/20/20

 

Norfolk Southern’s “Can-Do” Culture Keeps Freight Moving: Special Podcast Series—The Coronavirus and the Rail Industry

 

Norfolk Southern Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer John Scheib discusses the railroad’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the “can-do” culture that’s keeping the trains moving and employees safe. Podcast sponsored by TrinityRail®.

 

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Dated post

 

LancasterOnline, Lancaster, PA 3/30/20

Strasburg Rail Road's freight traffic soars 169% as food and pet product manufacturers boost production

 

 

The Strasburg Rail Road brought its passenger trains to a halt earlier this month to help slow the spread of COVID-19, shortly before the state ruled such leisure activities non-essential.

 

But that same virus has made the railroad’s freight yard and freight line more valuable than ever.

 

The freight yard has seen a 169% surge in the number of incoming freight cars in March, many of them bringing ingredients for food and pet products to manufacturers responding to a pandemic-driven surge in demand.

 

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[CNJRoss]

 

 

Union Pacific Steam Club Update No. 12 - Apr. 29, 2020

 

In a special video message to Union Pacific Steam Club members, Sr. Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Scott Moore announced that the planned 2020 steam excursion has been cancelled. Moore pointed to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and necessary social distancing measures as the country continues to recover from the pandemic.

 

"But I'm here to tell you, we're committed to 2021," Moore said. "We saw last year how much America loves the Big Boy, and what it can do as the giant, rolling ambassador of the Union Pacific Railroad."

 

View the entire video message as well as a special message from UP Steam Team's Ed Dickens about the status of No. 4014 here at YouTube.

 

That's all for now. Be safe, and we'll see you trackside,

 

Union Pacific Steam Club

 

 

 

[CNJRoss]

Keeping it clean: NS employees look out for each other

 

May 1. 2020

Norfolk Southern Corp

 

When it comes to keeping our people safe, Stephanie Bullock, a fireman and oiler at Norfolk Southern’s Inman Yard in Atlanta, is committed to doing her part. She is among the Mechanical Department forces who have ramped up the company’s efforts to clean and disinfect locomotive cabs to protect train crews from COVID-19.

 

“I get to play a part in ensuring that my fellow NS team members are safe,” Bullock says. “By thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting all touch points, the crews have one less thing to worry about during these trying times and can instead focus on safely performing their jobs.”

 

Enhanced cleaning of locomotives is only one of the measures undertaken by Norfolk Southern over the past two months to keep employees safe and healthy during the coronavirus pandemic. Keeping It Clean, a new company video, highlights some of the practices that NS has adopted to safeguard employees, including social distancing for employees required to work on-site and providing the necessary sanitizing and cleaning supplies to office and field locations.

 

Bullock, who makes a cameo appearance in the video wiping down a locomotive cab interior, said COVID-19 is making everyone look at workplace safety in a different way.

 

“Everybody is paying more attention, from taking the time to wash their hands to cleaning up after themselves,” she said. “People are looking out for each other. We are each other’s brother’s keeper knowing we’re all going home to our families, too.”

 

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RT&S 5/1/20
 

Union Pacific furloughs majority of workers at Jenks Locomotive Facility

 

 

Union Pacific announced that it is furloughing the majority of workers at its Jenks Locomotive Facility in North Little Rock, Arkansas. In addition, the shop will temporarily close, and these actions are directly related to the drop in business brought about by the coronavirus.

 

In a statement, Union Pacific said:

 

“Union Pacific has experienced an unprecedented decline in business volume due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of our customers have reduced or halted production. While we anticipate volumes will return over time, we are taking actions to protect the company from further economic impacts of the virus.

 

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[CNJRoss]

WGHP-TV High Point, NC 5/1/20

 

Norfolk Southern furloughs around 85 workers

 

 

The Norfolk Southern transportation company released a statement Friday afternoon, saying the company has furloughed around 85 workers.

 

The full statement is provided below:

 

Due to unforeseeable business circumstances, including volume declines due to the global pandemic and the abrupt economic downturn, Norfolk Southern is reducing operations at our Linwood Terminal by idling the hump yard.

 

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[CNJRoss]

Railway Age 5/4/20

 

CP Donates $1MM to COVID-19 Relief

 

 

“Our CP family is honored to help frontline workers and volunteers as they courageously work day and night to keep up with unprecedented need,” said Keith Creel, CP President and CEO.

 

Canadian Pacific (CP) is donating $1 million to four North American charities working on the front lines to help people impacted by COVID-19. In Canada, CP will donate C$350,000 to The Frontline Fund and C$250,000 to Food Banks Canada. In the U.S., CP will donate US$250,000 to Feeding America and up to US$150,000 in matching funds to the American Red Cross.

 

CP said it was inspired by support shown to its own frontline workers as they continue to perform critical work across North America throughout the crisis. The company is committed to doing its part to help people struggling with the economic impacts of COVID-19 in the more than 1,100 communities it serves and beyond.

 

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[CNJRoss]

Union Pacific Railroad 5/5/20

 

InsideTrack

 

West Coast Ports: We’re Open and Ready for the Rebound

 

 

The year started on an optimistic note for U.S. ports, railroads and businesses anticipating an improvement in international trade, thanks to the signing of the Phase One Trade Deal with China. And then COVID-19 happened. China’s annual factory shutdowns for the Lunar New Year lasted longer than normal, causing a drop in supply. Although overseas factories are coming back online and supply is returning, the recovery period for U.S. demand is unclear.

 

Estimates show imports at major U.S. retail container ports dropped to their lowest level in five years in March. Many companies are canceling or modifying orders, and imported products, such as clothing and electronics, are stacking up in storage facilities.

 

In the midst of all this, Union Pacific and its West Coast port partners are keeping the supply chain moving for medical supplies and other essential goods coming into the U.S. from Asia. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach make up the San Pedro Bay complex, handling 25 percent of all U.S. exports and nearly 40 percent of containerized imports. Right now, it's the fastest way to get masks, gowns, gloves and other critical personal protective equipment into the country. 

 

West Coast Ports and Union Pacific Support Pandemic Response

 

Union Pacific and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach work together to support customers' needs and restart the economy as the world recovers from COVID-19.

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