This week’s top rail headlines: the NTSB urged a ban on crew members riding railcars during shoving moves after investigations tied the practice to multiple deaths and injuries. Union Pacific began testing Wabtec FLXdrive battery-electric locomotives in Southern California (two units now, two more due in October). CSX plans to eliminate 165 maintenance positions and seasonally furlough over 1,000 workers. Metra will unveil its first battery-electric FLIRT trainset on Oct. 5, and an STB member criticized the UP–NS merger filing as lacking competition protections.
Rail Industry Roundup — Week of Sept. 25, 2026: NTSB Urges Ban on Riding Railcars; UP Tests Battery Locos; CSX Plans Large Furloughs
A Norfolk Southern engine passes a waiting Union Pacific train at Elmhurst, Ill., on Aug. 23, 2025. David Lassen
This week brought a string of consequential developments across the U.S. rail industry: the National Transportation Safety Board urged a ban on crew members riding railcars during shoving moves after multiple fatal incidents; Union Pacific began testing Wabtec FLXdrive battery-electric locomotives in Southern California; CSX announced plans to eliminate positions and seasonally furlough more than 1,000 maintenance workers; Metra will unveil its first battery-electric FLIRT trainset in October; and a new Surface Transportation Board member criticized the depth of the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger filing.
NTSB Calls To End Riding Railcars During Shoving Moves
CHICAGO — At a Sept. 21 press conference at Chicago Union Station, the National Transportation Safety Board urged the Federal Railroad Administration and all Class I railroads to prohibit employees from riding railcars during shoving moves, a switching practice the board links to dozens of serious incidents.
Board member Tom Chapman said the NTSB has investigated 18 shoving-move incidents since October 2020; those investigations documented 14 worker fatalities and four serious injuries. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy emphasized that safer alternatives exist and should be used.
"Nowhere else in transportation would this be acceptable," Chapman said.
"Our investigations have repeatedly shown that riding moving rail equipment can have deadly consequences. Railroads have safer alternatives, and they should use them," Homendy added.
Union Pacific Tests Wabtec FLXdrive Battery-Electric Locos in Southern California
LOS ANGELES — Union Pacific has deployed two of four Wabtec FLXdrive battery-electric locomotives to Southern California for operational testing, with two additional units due in October. UP says testing will focus on yard and local service in the greater Los Angeles area.
Each FLXdrive unit is powered by roughly 7,000 battery cells, offering about 2.7 megawatt-hours of energy storage and zero tailpipe emissions. UP CEO Jim Vena framed the tests as part of the railroad's effort to evaluate emerging technologies in real operations.
CSX Plans To Abolish Positions, Furlough More Than 1,000 Maintenance Workers
NOVI, Mich. — The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED), part of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, reported that CSX plans to eliminate 165 maintenance-of-way positions and place more than 1,000 workers on seasonal furlough. The union said about 900 track gang members may not return to work until February.
The BMWED highlighted an example in which four employees would be asked to cover a 142-mile section of mainline track and multiple yards — territory currently maintained by about a dozen workers. BMWED General Chairman Brian Thompson warned that reduced staffing shifts the workload rather than eliminating it.
"The miles still have to be inspected, the defects still have to be repaired, and the railroad still has to be maintained," Thompson said.
Metra, Stadler To Unveil First Battery FLIRT Trainset On Oct. 5
CHICAGO — Metra and manufacturer Stadler will unveil the first of Metra's eight battery-electric FLIRT (Fast Light Innovative Regional Train) trainsets at the APTA TRANSform conference and expo on Oct. 5. Metra expects initial service to include the Rock Island District's Beverly Branch — a 16.4-mile route known for frequent stops — where battery operation could offer operational flexibility and emissions reductions.
STB Member Criticizes UP–NS Merger Filing As Shallow
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board declined requests to summarily dismiss the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger application, but new STB member Richard Kloster issued a separate opinion sharply critical of the railroads' filing. Sworn in June 5, Kloster said the application lacks substantive detail on how competition concerns would be addressed and offers no meaningful concessions, noting the STB's merger-review rules require a showing that a merger will enhance competition and serve the public interest.
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