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- Buffett, Gates talk about rails and keeping America strong
Warren Buffett and Bill Gates were center stage at a town hall meeting at Columbia University on Thursday. Topics of discussion ranged from Buffett's purchase of BNSF to how America will stay strong. "Rails are in tune with the future," Buffett said.  CNBC
(11/12)     
- Rail traffic steady after strong summer
Intermodal traffic gained but bulk railcar loadings slipped in the most recent figures for U.S. railroads, according to the latest weekly data provided by the Association of American Railroads. This suggests that traffic is holding steady following a strong summer. Coal shipments increased, but chemicals and metal shipments appear to have declined. The Journal of Commerce
(11/12)
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Federal freight index slips 0.5% The U.S. Department of Transportation's Freight Transportation Services Index edged 0.5% lower between August and September. The decline follows three straight months of growth but still leaves freight shipments down almost 10% from last year. Logistics Management (free registration)
(11/12)
- West Coast ports, railroads mount charm offensive
Six ports have joined with BNSF Railway Company and Union Pacific Railroad to launch an international effort to boost the West Coast's brand and attract new business. The group pitched to maritime leaders and cargo operators this week at the World Shipping Summit in Qingdao, China. Logistics Management (free registration)
(11/12)
| Infrastructure & Economic Spotlight | | |
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- Column: Ride the rails to economic recovery
 A project to reopen a former Union Pacific railroad line could bring new jobs to Wisconsin's Sheboygan County, writes Mark Preussler. He notes that when fuel prices rise, railroads, which can move more tonnage more cheaply than trucks, offer cost savings. The project is "about the restoration of clean, economically sound transportation which is also one of the safest modes of transporting freight in the world," he writes. The Sheboygan Press (Wis.)
(11/13)
- No more layoffs, say transport executives
A survey suggests most transportation CFOs aren't expecting their companies to start hiring in coming months -- but neither do most expect to reduce payroll in that time. Only 16% of transport executives said they expected layoffs in the next six months, versus 22% of executives in other sectors. The Journal of Commerce
(11/12)
| Energy & Environmental Watch | | |
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- Lawmakers call for changes in permit-distribution plan under climate bill
Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and other key lawmakers called on Senate Democrats to revise the allocation process for carbon permits in the climate bill. They say that utilities that rely heavily on coal need more protection. The current proposal does not distribute permits fairly, the senators added, and this may lead to increased power prices for ratepayers in coal-dependent regions. Reuters
(11/12)
| AAR News | | |
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AAR releases weekly rail-traffic numbers
The Association of American Railroads has reported that freight rail traffic remains down for the week ended Nov. 7. U.S. railroads reported originating 274,846 carloads for the week, down 12.2% compared with the same week in 2008 and down 19.6% from the same week in 2007. In order to offer a complete picture of the progress in rail traffic, AAR will now be reporting 2009 weekly rail traffic with year-over-year comparisons for both 2008 and 2007. (More)
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AAR releases monthly Rail Time Indicators report, video
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has reported that freight rail carloadings were down 15.3% in October (at 1,100,714 carloads) compared with October 2008, marking the twelfth straight month of double-digit declines. The Rail Time Indicators Report, released this week, comprises monthly rail traffic data framed with other key economic indicators to show how freight rail ties into the broader U.S. economy. Both the monthly Rail Time Indicators report and a video summary are available on the AAR Web site.
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