OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Union Pacific is laying off 500 managers and 250 other workers to save about $110 million annually and eliminate about 8 percent of the railroad's managers.

The railroad told the affected workers Wednesday that their jobs will be eliminated by mid-September.

2. Like a Troll Under Poplar and Union, Flicker Street Flourishing as Arts District - Tuesday, September 06, 2016

The Poplar/Union viaduct passes over a collection of half-moon shaped Quonset huts that look unlike any other building type in Memphis.

These mid-century warehouses on Flicker Street make up a modern-day artist enclave tucked between Chickasaw Gardens and Central Gardens.

3. Last Word: Big 12 Speculation, Changes at Fred's and Painting Rocks - Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Just in time for the first weekend of college football, speculation about a list of finalists for the Big 12 athletic conference realignment and the University of Memphis is reportedly on the list of contenders for a much talked about and highly sought after conference switch.

4. Obscure Midtown Warehouse to Become Company’s HQ - Wednesday, August 31, 2016

The warehouse looks like a foreign object that sprouted in the middle of a Midtown neighborhood. Surrounding the two-story warehouse at 802 Rozelle St. are two-story, single-family homes with fenced yards. The adjacent CSX and Union Pacific railyard is the only indicator that this enclave was once an industrial area. After a $2 million renovation, the dated warehouse will emerge as a highly modern neighborhood asset.

5. Greenline Extension Has Formal Opening Thursday - Thursday, June 16, 2016

The 4.15-mile eastward extension of the Shelby Farms Greenline is already being used even before the work pushes across Germantown Parkway to the old Cordova train depot.

County government and Shelby Farms Park Conservancy leaders cut the ribbon on the extension Thursday, June 16, at Mullins Station and Farm roads.

6. Stocks Sink in Late Trading; Consumer Stocks Take a Beating - Thursday, January 14, 2016

Stocks fell sharply in late afternoon trading Wednesday as a dismal start to the new year got even worse. The selling was concentrated on some of the biggest winners from last year such as Netflix and Amazon, both of which doubled in value in 2015.

7. Why Optimism About the US Economy's Strength Has Dimmed - Wednesday, October 21, 2015

WASHINGTON (AP) — Consumers, fueled by job growth, cheaper gas and higher home values, would drive the U.S. economy through a global slump.

That was the widespread hope just a few months ago. Now, doubts are growing that the United States can withstand economic pressures flowing from overseas. Economies in China, Canada, Brazil and Europe are struggling. Canada, the largest U.S. trading partner, is in recession.

8. ECD Commissioner: Memphis Megasite is Tennessee's 'Greatest Asset' - Tuesday, September 22, 2015

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development is getting serious about the Memphis Regional Megasite with new promotional materials intended to attract a major original equipment manufacturer.

9. Gulch Approaching 50 Percent Buildout - Saturday, July 04, 2015

Nashville’s storied Gulch, originally the home of the downtown railway terminal, is approaching another milestone in its long history.

Revitalization of the area began in the early 2000s, and The Gulch Improvement District was formed in 2006. Since that time, developers have found great success in luring in upscale residential, commercial and mixed-use tenants.

10. Railroad Regulator Vows to Enforce Dec. 31 Safety Deadline - Thursday, June 25, 2015

WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation's top railroad regulator said Wednesday she will enforce a Dec. 31 deadline for commuter and freight railroads to install safety technology that experts say could have prevented a deadly Amtrak derailment last month.

11. What’s Better for Commuters? More I-24 Lanes or Monorail? - Saturday, April 18, 2015

With growing population comes increasingly congested commuter traffic, and the Rutherford County corridor between Nashville and Murfreesboro along I-24 is considered the most congested in Middle Tennessee.

12. Dr. Phil Delivers Hockey Therapy to the Masses - Saturday, February 14, 2015

Dr. Phil toys with me as he allows me to work my center and left wing to get the puck tantalizingly close to his net.

Then that big smile erupts on the face of a man who hands out “Live With Happiness” dog-tags – like the one dangling beneath his Hawaiian shirt – as he passes through life. With a couple of cagey quick twists of his wrists, Dr. Phil clears his end of the rink and fires a slap shot past my befuddled defensemen and goalie.…

13. Commission Approves Greenline Contracts - Saturday, December 13, 2014

Shelby County Commissioners approved a contract Monday, Dec. 8, buying the section of the old CSX rail line from Mullins Station Road to the old Cordova train station for $2.5 million and a companion contract to build a 4.1-mile-long extension of the Shelby Farms Greenline on it for $2.2 million.

14. Commission Approves Greenline Contracts - Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Shelby County Commissioners approved a contract Monday, Dec. 8, buying the section of the old CSX rail line from Mullins Station Road to the old Cordova train station for $2.5 million and a companion contract to build a 4.1-mile-long extension of the Shelby Farms Greenline on it for $2.2 million.

15. Commission Approves Graceland Plan, Delays Fairgrounds TDZ - Tuesday, December 09, 2014

Shelby County Commissioners approved the Graceland economic impact plan Monday, Dec. 8, the last local hurdle for a plan that includes the construction of a 450-room hotel and a later phase transforming the Graceland Plaza area across Elvis Presley Boulevard from the Graceland mansion.

16. Fairgrounds Plan Could Be Tied to Schools - Monday, December 08, 2014

Shelby County Commissioners are scheduled to vote Monday, Dec. 8, on a contract with city government that is critical to the city advancing its long-held plans for a renovation of the Mid-South Fairgrounds.

17. West Coast Strife Persists and Local Impact Remains Elusive - Saturday, December 06, 2014

Labor strife on West Coast docks isn't going to steal Christmas in Memphis, but it is having an impact locally, according to industry officials. But just how deep that impact cuts remains to be seen.

18. Greenline Part of Larger Changes to Shelby Farms - Wednesday, December 03, 2014

The visitors center at Shelby Farms Park is about to come down, the latest sign of the transformation of the park.

19. Shelby County, CSX Reach Greenline Deal - Saturday, November 29, 2014

Shelby County government has a contract with CSX Railroad to buy the railroad’s old right of way from Farm Road in Shelby Farms Park to the old Cordova train station.

20. Shelby County, CSX Reach Greenline Deal - Monday, November 24, 2014

Shelby County government has a contract with CSX Railroad to buy the railroad’s old right of way from Farm Road in Shelby Farms Park to the old Cordova train station, with plans to extend the Shelby Farms Greenline.

21. Union Pacific Profit Chugs Ahead 19 Percent - Friday, October 24, 2014

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Union Pacific Corp. delivered a 19 percent increase in its third-quarter profit as the railroad hauled 7 percent more freight and increased rates.

22. Norfolk Southern CEO Says Rail Mergers Won't Work - Thursday, October 23, 2014

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Norfolk Southern Corp.'s CEO doesn't think railroad mergers are a good idea even if regulators might approve one.

23. Canadian Pacific CEO Says Rail Deal Possible - Wednesday, October 22, 2014

The CEO of Canadian Pacific thinks U.S. regulators would approve a well-structured railroad merger, but nothing is planned now that talks with CSX ended.

CEO Hunter Harrison said during a conference call Tuesday he doesn't agree with the view that the Surface Transportation Board wouldn't approve any merger.

24. Canadian Pacific Ends CSX Deal Talks - Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Canadian Pacific Railway has ended talks with U.S. counterpart CSX about a possible combination and plans no more discussions.

The railway operator did not say on Monday why it ended talks, but it did note in a brief statement that regulatory concerns appear to be a major deterrent for railroads considering combinations.

25. EDGE Mulls Tax Break for Plastics Recycling Co. - Tuesday, June 17, 2014

A company that recycles and manufactures post-industrial plastics is considering relocating from Arkansas to Memphis.

RE-CY, or RE-CY Plastics, is considering acquiring a facility on Winchester Road to recycle and manufacture plastics, which are then used for automotive parts, decking and IKEA furniture.

26. Industrial Park Expansions Gaining Momentum - Monday, January 27, 2014

Economic development officials should know the final scope of a planned expansion of Presidents Island within the next 30 days while the proposed growth of nearby Frank C. Pidgeon Industrial Park is moving forward.

27. Industrial Park Expansions Are Gaining Momentum - Saturday, January 25, 2014

Economic development officials should know the final scope of a planned expansion of Presidents Island within the next 30 days while the proposed growth of nearby Frank C. Pidgeon Industrial Park is moving forward.

28. Industrial Revolution - Thursday, October 24, 2013

Frank C. Pidgeon Industrial Park was completed in 1967, but it’s only now, four-plus decades later, that the property is finally realizing its full potential.

The 3,500-acre industrial park was developed when Memphis and Shelby County paid roughly $4.5 million to buy the land in the late 1950s after city, county and Port Commission leaders saw the need for a large industrial park following the creation of Presidents Island.

29. Logistics Limelight - Saturday, October 05, 2013

World-renowned as a logistics and distribution hub, Memphis will further raise its profile this month with events that showcase the city’s transportation assets and standing in the global economy.

30. Traffic Stop - Monday, August 12, 2013

Planners of the eastern extension of the Shelby Farms Greenline – from Farm Road to the Cordova train station – are getting in some roadwork these days.

Frank Gianotti of the engineering and consulting firm Tetra Tech, and other planners of the extension have been hitting the streets recently to talk about the planning work that is about halfway complete.

31. Riding the Rails - Thursday, April 18, 2013

By some estimates, America’s railroad companies are in the midst of the largest investment boom since the Gilded Age – when America’s railroad track mileage tripled between 1860 and 1880.

This year, North American’s freight railroads plan to invest $24.5 billion in intermodal terminals, new track, bridges and tunnels, safety equipment and rail cars, according to the Association of American Railroads.

32. Trains Carrying More Oil Across US Amid Boom - Wednesday, January 02, 2013

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) – Energy companies behind the oil boom on the Northern Plains are increasingly turning to an industrial-age workhorse – the locomotive – to move their crude to refineries across the U.S., as plans for new pipelines stall and existing lines can't keep up with demand.

33. ‘Banner Year’ for Logistics Industry - Friday, December 28, 2012

Positive momentum far outweighed the negative in the local logistics and distribution industry during 2012, as city officials and business leaders continued elevating Memphis’s status as world logistics hub.

34. Funding for Greenline Extension Narrowly Passes - Wednesday, August 15, 2012

An extension of the Shelby Farms Greenline from Farm Road east across Germantown Parkway to the old Cordova train depot along the old CSX rail corridor is on track.

But this week’s Shelby County Commission vote accepting the $3.3 million state transportation grant that will fund most of the $4.4 million project was close with no votes to spare.

35. Ritz Seeks Countywide Sales Tax Hike - Monday, August 13, 2012

Incoming Shelby County Commission chairman Mike Ritz wants to add a countywide sales tax hike for education to the Nov. 6 ballot.

The move, if approved by voters, would not only trump the half-cent sales tax hikes approved this month for five of the six suburban municipal school districts – it would also lessen the revenue the city of Memphis would get from a half-percent citywide sales tax hike already on the November ballot.

36. The State of Green - Monday, July 30, 2012

There are many shades of green.

And the use of the term “green” to describe public policies, business practices and other decisions designed to improve or sustain natural surroundings and our connection with them touches on so many other considerations.

37. Rail Yard Opens In Rossville - Friday, July 27, 2012

Those in the logistics industry have known since the end of June, but Norfolk Southern Corp.’s Memphis Regional Intermodal Facility at Rossville had its soft opening earlier this month.

38. Commission Nears Budget Conclusion - Monday, May 21, 2012

Shelby County Commissioners could end their budget season Monday, May 21, with votes on two budget resolutions.

One is a $1.1 billion consolidated operating budget. The other is a five-year Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) budget that totals $36.9 million in the first year – the fiscal year that begins July 1. The plan through June 30, 2017, totals $326.9 million.

39. ‘Contrarian’ Collins Finds Success in Tough Market - Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Doug Collins has always believed that the greatest opportunities are found in troubled times.

The president of Prudential Collins-Maury Inc. Realtors even classifies himself as “somewhat of a contrarian.”

40. Railroads Avert Looming Strike - Monday, December 05, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – Railroads have cleared a major hurdle as the industry averted a looming strike, paving the way for growth ahead, analysts said Friday.

The freight rail industry announced late Thursday it has settled labor disputes with two unions and agreed to extend talks with a third. Without the agreements, the railway unions could have launched a strike as early as Tuesday, when a federal "cooling off" period was set to expire. The agreements came just hours after Republican House leaders said they would move to vote Friday on emergency legislation to prevent a work stoppage.

41. Railroads Avert Looming Strike - Friday, December 02, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – Railroads have cleared a major hurdle as the industry averted a looming strike, paving the way for growth ahead, analysts said Friday.

The freight rail industry announced late Thursday it has settled labor disputes with two unions and agreed to extend talks with a third. Without the agreements, the railway unions could have launched a strike as early as Tuesday, when a federal "cooling off" period was set to expire. The agreements came just hours after Republican House leaders said they would move to vote Friday on emergency legislation to prevent a work stoppage.

42. Site Selectors Hear City’s Red Carpet Pitch - Friday, November 04, 2011

A year ago this month, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam won the governor’s race and suddenly found himself in the same room with 26 other newly elected governors.

The event was a nonpartisan orientation for the new governors to help get their bearings on the nuts and bolts of running a state government.

43. Union Pacific Q3 Profit Rises on Higher Prices - Friday, October 21, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) – Union Pacific Corp. on Thursday reported that its third-quarter earnings rose 16 percent, as the railroad charged higher prices to offset slower growth in shipments and higher fuel costs.

44. Continental Shift - Monday, October 17, 2011

After a 15-year transformation from a government operated east-west railroad network to a privately owned company with a North American reach, Canadian National Railway Co. is positioning itself as a logistics “enabler.”

45. Region Sees Logistics Assets Grow - Monday, August 22, 2011

Change is afoot with the area’s transportation and logistics industries. New developments in the region – from a proposed third bridge spanning the Mississippi River to a new multimillion-dollar intermodal facility – should keep transportation and logistics as the area’s bread-and-butter businesses.

46. Bridging the Gap - Friday, July 08, 2011

Between now and the end of the year, transportation planners in the tri-state area and beyond will round up the final work product that will go into the preliminary search for a new Mississippi River bridge at or near Memphis.

47. MAA Continues Acquisition Spurt - Monday, June 27, 2011

Memphis-based MAA, formerly known as Mid-America Apartment Communities, has acquired Tattersall at Tapestry Park, a 279-unit upscale apartment community located in the Southeast sub-market of Jacksonville, Fla.

48. Railroads Reach Tentative Deal With Largest Union - Tuesday, May 03, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – The major U.S. freight railroads have reached a tentative five-year deal with their largest union, which represents 38,000 workers.

The deal between the railroads' National Carriers' Conference Committee and the United Transportation Union, whose members include brakemen and conductors, was announced Monday. The UTU represents roughly one-third of all rail workers.

49. We’re in Good Company - Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Memphis often gets a bad rap. So many people want to focus on negatives, and that simply breeds more negativity. From my perspective, the Memphis market is a uniquely great place to live and do business. Apparently I’m not the only one who thinks so. FedEx, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, AutoZone, International Paper, Conwood, Smuckers, Asics, Nucor and Electrolux – all are major corporations either headquartered here or choosing to have major manufacturing or distribution centers here.

50. Applications for Jobless Benefits Rise to 462K - Friday, October 15, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) – More people applied for unemployment benefits last week, the first rise in three weeks and evidence that companies are reluctant to hire in a slow economy.

Initial claims for unemployment aid rose by 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 462,000, the Labor Department said Thursday. It was only the second rise in two months.

51. CSX CEO Says Trains Can Get Longer - Thursday, October 14, 2010

The CEO of CSX Corp. said Wednesday the railroad still has more room to grow its trains without adding staff, a key component of the efficiency that’s allowed it to grow earnings at a much faster pace than shipments have picked up.

52. Congress to Examine Trickle Down of Rail Rates - Thursday, September 16, 2010

NEW YORK (AP) – Congress is taking a closer look at the growing profits of the nation's railroads and the price hikes for their customers that may trickle down to consumers.

In a report released Wednesday, the Senate Commerce Committee says higher rates for rail transportation are putting undue pressure on customers who don't have an alternative way to ship their goods. Those customers, called captive shippers, are mostly electric utilities, chemical and agricultural companies. Higher transportation rates for them can mean higher energy and grocery bills for consumers.

53. Kroger to Build Store In Poplar Plaza - Tuesday, September 14, 2010

3444 Plaza Ave.
Memphis, TN 38111
Permit Amount: $10 Million

Project Cost: n/a
Permit Date: Applied September 2010
Completion: n/a
Owner: Kroger, Delta Division
Tenant: Kroger
Contractor: n/a
Architect: n/a

54. 23 Lots in Maple Grove Sell for $805,000 - Monday, September 13, 2010

Twenty-three lots in Arlington’s Maple Grove Planned Development have sold for $805,000. L1 Properties LLC bought the lots, which are in phase two of the development, from Maple Grove Partners.

55. City Rolls Out Red Carpet to Tout Assets - Friday, June 04, 2010

The Greater Memphis Chamber will give prospective businesses and national trade publications the proverbial star treatment next week when it hosts the Red Carpet Tour.

Set for June 8-10, the event is designed to showcase the economic advantages that Memphis can offer – from inexpensive commercial real estate to a logistics-laden work force, from the world’s busiest cargo airport to robust rail, road and river infrastructure.

56. CSX Reopens Line From Memphis to N’ville - Wednesday, May 26, 2010

CSX Transportation on Tuesday reopened its Memphis-Nashville rail line that was damaged by severe flooding in Middle Tennessee.

Operations were scheduled to resume at 5 p.m. local time for the entire 200-mile line between the two cities. Additional maintenance work is still required on the line, the Jacksonville, Fla.-based railroad announced.

57. Main Railroad Line Out Between Memphis, Nashville - Monday, May 10, 2010

NASHVILLE (AP) — The main railroad line between Nashville and Memphis is out after two bridges washed away in weekend flooding.

Gary Sease, a spokesman for CSX Transportation said from the company's headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla., both bridges are over the Harpeth River at Nashville's west edge. Cease said it could take 4-6 weeks to rebuild them.

58. Port of Memphis Unaffected By Oil Spill – for Now - Thursday, May 06, 2010

Like many people in the country, Don McCrory is keeping a close eye on the Gulf of Mexico.

As executive director of the International Port of Memphis, McCrory is keenly aware of how the BP oil spill there could affect shipping lanes into gulf coast ports, which could in turn affect traffic up the Mississippi River.

59. BNSF Opens New Rail Yard Site After Finishing Upgrades - Thursday, April 22, 2010

Memphis has long been a railroad town.

The city’s central location and the availability of other transport modes like the Mississippi River made it a popular choice with Class I railroads, five of which now have extensive intermodal and switching operations here.

60. The Cost of Progress - Monday, March 08, 2010

The development of Norfolk Southern Corp.’s $112 million intermodal yard on a former cattle ranch in Fayette County has polarized the community for more than a year.

61. Muller to Tout City’s Position For Shipping - Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Memphis’ role in the global supply chain is often underappreciated, but shippers moving auto parts from Yokohama to Yazoo City or electronics from Beijing to Birmingham understand this city’s importance.

62. Local ULI Leads Green Charge - Monday, November 16, 2009

Memphis might lag behind other cities when it comes to developing and connecting green spaces, but a collaboration of organizations is working to improve this community’s “greenprint,” or its collection of parks, trails and other natural areas, and then link them to regional and national green spaces.

63. More Details, Concerns Emerge From Norfolk Southern Deal - Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Norfolk Southern Corp. has unveiled preliminary environmental data that will serve as the foundation of its proposed intermodal terminal in Fayette County, where cargo containers will be transferred between trucks and trains.

64. BNSF Railway Preps for Intermodal Yard Opening - Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Evidence of Memphis’ importance to the intermodal industry can be seen throughout town, but nowhere is it more apparent than at the intersection of Lamar Avenue and Shelby Drive, where nine-story cranes now dominate the warehouse district’s industrial skyline.

65. Taking Off - Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Aviators attain flight and control the movements of their aircraft by precisely balancing the forces of lift, thrust, drag and gravity. The people piloting the aerotropolis initiative – the promotion of Memphis’ economy focused on the airport, other transportation assets and the connectivity among them – are negotiating their own set of physics in hopes of becoming airborne.

66. Taking Off - Monday, October 12, 2009

Aviators attain flight and control the movements of their aircraft by precisely balancing the forces of lift, thrust, drag and gravity. The people piloting the aerotropolis initiative – the promotion of Memphis’ economy focused on the airport, other transportation assets and the connectivity among them – are negotiating their own set of physics in hopes of becoming airborne.

67. CN’s Harrison Yard Elevates Railroad, Memphis - Monday, September 28, 2009

E. Hunter Harrison’s railroad legacy was cemented last week when Canadian National Railway Co. renamed its Johnston Yard freight car switching facility after him.

68. CN’s $100M Renovation Draws to a Close - Thursday, September 17, 2009

Canadian National Railway Co. next week will unveil the three-year, $100 million renovation to its Johnston Yard freight car switching facility in South Memphis. The railroad will commemorate its massive investment of time and money on Sept. 24 at 11 a.m. at the yard, 297 Rivergate Road, off Horn Lake Road.

69. A River Runs Through Us: Memphis’ once and future connection with the Wolf - Monday, September 07, 2009

A cottonmouth slithers through the marsh. A wolf spider clings to a cypress tree. A white heron soars above the bottomland forest.

Paddle a canoe down the Ghost River section of the Wolf River in Fayette County and you’ll travel through multiple, distinct ecosystems teeming with wildlife. But while animal sightings convey the true spirit of the Wolf, only one creature – the elusive “river rat” – can verbalize why this river and its wetland corridor are so important.

70. Weekly US Rail Shipments Fall 16.1 Percent - Friday, September 04, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - Shipments carried by U.S. railroads fell 16.1 percent last week compared with a year earlier, a major industry trade group reported Thursday.

The Association of American Railroads said freight carried on the tracks for the week ending Aug. 22 totaled 279,478 carloads.

71. Study to Analyze Lamar Freight Corridor - Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Thanks to an expanded BNSF Railway Co. intermodal terminal, direct access to the Southeastern U.S. and the bulk of the city’s warehouses and distribution centers, Lamar Avenue is a lifeline for Memphis’ logistics community.

72. County Signs Paperwork to Acquire CSX Line - Thursday, August 13, 2009

Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton Jr. was all smiles Wednesday afternoon as he signed the paperwork transferring the old CSX railroad line from the railroad to the county.

The county will now transform the corridor into a 7-mile multiuse trail that extends from the Poplar-Union avenues viaduct in the west to Farm and Mullins Station roads and Shelby Farms Park to the east.

73. County Signs Paperwork to Acquire CSX Line - Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton Jr. was all smiles Wednesday afternoon as he signed the paperwork transferring the old CSX railroad line from the railroad to the county.

The county will now transform the corridor into a 7-mile multiuse trail that extends from the Poplar-Union avenues viaduct in the west to Farm and Mullins Station roads and Shelby Farms Park to the east.

74. Worst of Recession is Over, Norfolk Southern Says - Thursday, July 30, 2009

The last of the major U.S. railroads to report second-quarter earnings agrees with the others: It appears the worst of the recession is over.

But Norfolk Southern Corp. warned Wednesday of an “unstable and uncertain” finish to 2009.

75. Ahead of the Bell: Burlington Northern Santa Fe - Friday, July 24, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) - Analysts expect the second-quarter profit of railroad operator Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. to fall from a year ago. They're just not sure how much.

76. Local Logistics Industry Embraces Norfolk Southern Expansion - Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Although Norfolk Southern Corp.’s planned $129 million intermodal yard won’t be built within the city limits but instead in neighboring Rossville, Memphis’ logistics and distribution industries stand to benefit from the railroad’s decision to expand its local presence.

77. Next Stop: Norfolk Southern’s intermodal plans take shape - Wednesday, March 18, 2009

The freight trains that rumble through Memphis are hard to ignore, especially the ones that parallel or bisect main thoroughfares and disrupt traffic. But even people who don’t cross railroad tracks during their commutes are likely to hear the distant blare of horns at some point during the day as locomotives make their way into and out of the city.

78. Conference to Showcase Transportation Info - Wednesday, April 29, 2009

For the third year in a row, Memphis will take center stage among the logistics, distribution and transportation industries when the city hosts the Memphis Multi Modal Conference May 11-12.

The event, titled “Global Logistics and the Global Economy,” will be held at The Peabody hotel and draw a national and international attendance. It once again is sponsored by the Memphis World Trade Club, which began hosting the event in 2007 as a way to showcase the city’s advantages for moving freight.

79. CSX Expects Volume Drop, More Furloughs in Q2 - Thursday, April 16, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) – Railroad operator CSX Corp. reported Wednesday it predicts double-digit declines in shipping volume to continue through the second quarter, and expects to furlough more employees as a result.

The Jacksonville, Fla.-based company said Wednesday in a conference call with analysts that sales will continue to be hurt as demand to ship goods by rail plummets.

80. Wharton Applauds CSX Trail Decision - Wednesday, April 01, 2009

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners has accepted a $4.7 million grant from Shelby Farms Park Conservancy to turn part of the old CSX railroad corridor into a walking trail.

81. County Commission Expected to Approve CSX Trail - Monday, March 30, 2009

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners is expected to approve a resolution today that will begin the process of turning seven miles of a rail line into a walking trail.

The resolution cleared committee sessions last week with no debate and a unanimous voice vote.

82. Despite Distance, Memphis, Halifax Become Close Allies - Friday, March 13, 2009

Memphis is separated from Halifax, Nova Scotia, by thousands of miles and an international border, but the distant cities are now closely aligned in a shared mission.

Political and business leaders from Memphis and Halifax, including the Memphis Regional Logistics Council and the Halifax Gateway Council, have signed an agreement to pursue mutually beneficial cargo connections and promote each other’s transportation assets when it comes to global trade.

83. Weekly US Rail Shipments Fall 14.2 Percent - Friday, February 27, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - The railroad industry says last week's U.S. shipments sank 14.2 percent compared with a year earlier.

The Association of American Railroads said Thursday that freight for week ended February 21 totaled 278,827 carloads.

84. Weekly US Rail Shipments Continue to Plunge - Friday, December 19, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) - Shipments carried by U.S. railroads sank for a third straight week last week amid deteriorating economic conditions, a major industry trade group reported Thursday.

The Association of American Railroads said freight carried on the tracks for the week ending Dec. 13 totaled 292,434 carloads, down 9.3 percent from the year-earlier period. Shipments fell 8.5 percent a week ago, and 10.1 percent the week before.

85. Fitch Says Recession Challenges Freight Shippers - Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Fitch Ratings reported Tuesday that 2009 will be more difficult than this year for freight shippers, as the recession drags down the financial performance of trucking and railroad companies.

The credit-rating agency said the large railroads are in better shape to handle the recession because they are coming out of five years of strong growth and enjoy more pricing power.

86. Weekly US Rail Shipments Jump, Inflated by Holiday - Friday, November 28, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) - Shipments carried by U.S. railroads rose 6.6 percent last week, boosted by comparison to a year-ago period slowed down by the Thanksgiving holiday, a major industry trade group reported Wednesday.

87. US Rail Shipments Tumble 9.1 Percent - Friday, November 21, 2008

Shipments carried by U.S. railroads plunged 9.1 percent last week compared to a year earlier, a major industry trade group reported Thursday.

The Association of American Railroads said freight carried on the tracks for the week ending Nov. 15 totaled 309,099 carloads.

88. Prelim. Agreement Reached To Turn CSXT Line Into Trail - Wednesday, August 27, 2008

As the CSXT railroad corridor is being dismantled in Cordova, the railroad, Shelby County government and a nonprofit group have reached a preliminary agreement to turn at least part of the corridor into a recreational trail.

89. DOT Says Freight Activity Gained Slightly in April - Thursday, June 12, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) - Freight activity edged marginally higher in April and a passenger index also rose, according to government data released Wednesday.

The Transportation Department's Bureau of Transportation Statistics said its freight transportation services index, which measures changes in the output of services by the railroad, air freight and trucking industries, was 109.4 in April, about 0.1 percent higher than the same month last year.

90. DOT Says Freight Activity Fell in March - Friday, May 16, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) – Freight activity fell in March while a passenger index rose, according to government data.

The Transportation Department’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics has said its freight transportation services index, which measures changes in the output of services by the railroad, air freight and trucking industries, was 109.4 in March, 0.4 percent lower than the same month last year.

91. 2007 Freight Activity Down,DOT Says - Thursday, February 14, 2008
     Freight activity fell in 2007 for the second straight year, while a passenger index rose, according to government data released Wednesday.
     The Transportation Department's Bureau of Trans

92. Corporate Lobbyists Seek Tax Breaks in Proposed $100 Billion Economic-Stimulus Measure - Thursday, January 17, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) - From Congress to the campaign trail, everyone seems to have an economic stimulus plan - and from missile makers to garden suppliers- every business wants a piece of it.

Several major industry groups - the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Retail Federation and U.S. Chamber of Commerce - said they have been talking with or plan to talk with the Bush administration and lawmakers about how the stimulus package can help their constituents.

93. Court Rules in Favor Of Railroads In Valuation Challenges - Thursday, December 20, 2007

Railroads and government can be a volatile mix. Each guards their interests closely and those interests intersect frequently.

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling this month clears up a controversy that's been awaiting a court decision since it became a footnote 20 years ago in a related ruling by the high court.

94. From Overton Park to Shelby Farms, Newman No Stranger to Conservancy - Thursday, October 11, 2007

Had he stopped with the famous case he helped win more than three decades ago, Charles Newman's legal career already would have reached a zenith other lawyers could only dream of matching.

As a young attorney in 1971, Newman fought Citizens to Preserve Overton Park v. Volpe all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The stakes were high; at issue was a decision by then-U.S. Secretary of Transportation John Volpe that would have seen the completion of Interstate 40 in Memphis slice through Midtown's Overton Park.

95. Super-Terminal Dream Still Alive - Wednesday, May 16, 2007

It wasn't just one wakeup call that inspired Memphis City Council member Dedrick Brittenum Jr. to revisit the concept of a rail "super terminal" at Frank C. Pidgeon Industrial Park.

No, wakeup calls occur every night when trains rumble past his Midtown home.

96. Multi Modal Conference to Focus on Memphis' Growing Role in Global Marketplace - Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Memphis was a much different place in 1947.

The Interstate Highway System still was in the planning stages. The birth of FedEx was 24 years away. Global trade meant shipping cotton and lumber downriver to the Port of New Orleans before it was delivered to the world.

97. Mancini Becomes VP of Strategic Infrastructure Initiatives for CSX - Friday, March 02, 2007
     CSX Transportation Inc. (CSXT) Thursday announced the appointment of Lisa Mancini to the new role of vice president-strategic infrastructure initiatives.
     Mancini, who joined the company

98. CSX AnnouncesShare Repurchase - Friday, February 16, 2007
     CSX Corp. announced Wednesday that its board of directors voted to authorize the repurchase of up to $2 billion of the company's outstanding common shares. The program, which represents about 11 percent of the company's

99. New Canadian Rail Route Promises More Loot for Memphis - Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Business moving from the United States to other countries isn't pleasant news for local economies. But when freight begins moving to Canada instead of Long Beach, Calif., it will be music to the ears of many Memphians.

100. '06 Chamber Efforts Signal Good Things to Come in Region - Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Memo to the City of Memphis from the Memphis Regional Chamber: 2006 was a very good year.

Since this past summer, when the Memphis City Council approved a $175,000 one-year contract with chamber officials - part of a package that included other funding sources - the chamber parlayed its first government aid in two years into some impressive economic development victories.