Rail & Road
Altoona rail historians weigh in on potential impacts of Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific merger
Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific are looking to merge, which would create the first transcontinental railroad in the U.S. The deal still needs to be approved by regulators, but many in Altoona are closely watching as previous mergers reduced the city’s relevance in the railroad industry.
The “World Famous Horseshoe Curve” was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966. The tracks are still used today to transport goods and Amtrak passengers.
“This area has had several railroad companies over its history and each one has had job loss with transition,” said Kevin Stiver, an author and historian of the Horseshoe Curve.
At its height in the early 1900s, Stiver said there were up to 18,000 workers at the Juniata Locomotive Shop in Altoona. It was the biggest repair shop of its kind in the world. Today, Norfolk Southern says it’s still one of the largest facilities for locomotive repair in the industry. But, there are only about 400 employees there today.
Stiver worries another railroad company consolidation could mean further layoffs at the locomotive repair shop, or fewer rails at the Horseshoe Curve. Conrail, the operator before Norfolk Southern, removed one of the tracks in 1981, citing decreased rail travel.
Some people, however, are optimistic about the potential merger between Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific.
“The hope would be that they would maintain the Altoona shops and perhaps grow them because we would obviously be the closest shop to the northeast United States, and New England,” said Michael Farrow, a board member of the Blair County Historical Society.
Besides the convenient location, Farrow said Altoona is also a great place for rail companies to grow new talent. He points to Penn State Altoona, which recently announced the first and only Bachelor’s of Science degree in Rail Transportation Engineering.
In a statement to WPSU, a Norfolk Southern spokesperson said the merger will advance the railroad industry, preserve and strengthen union jobs, and help American companies reach new customers.
“We look forward to engaging with the communities we live and work in to share the many benefits of our plan to create America’s First Transcontinental Railroad,” the spokesperson said.
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern say they hope to merge by early 2027.
- Almost 40,000 people will get to see more than 140 rail vehicles across Alstom’s 90-acre site in Derby
- Three-day event marks the 200th anniversary of the modern railway
Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, will welcome almost 40,000 railfans from around the globe this weekend, as its Derby Litchurch Lane Works in the UK hosts the world’s largest-ever gathering of historic and modern trains – The Greatest Gathering.
Alstom’s three-day sold-out charity extravaganza forms part of the wider festivities for Railway 200, a year-long celebration marking the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) on 27 September 1825 – and a journey that gave birth to the modern railway.
“Alstom’s roots in the UK go right back to 1825, when Locomotion No. 1 made its historic journey on the Stockton and Darlington Railway. Through successive mergers the locomotive’s builder – Robert Stephenson and Company – became part of Alstom in 1989 and we are beyond proud to carry that legacy of ingenuity forward,” said Rob Whyte, Managing Director UK and Ireland at Alstom.
He added: “The Greatest Gathering is a once-in-a-generation celebration of Britain’s railway heritage and future, and it simply wouldn’t have been possible without the extraordinary support of so many. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to every Alstom colleague, organisation, rail operator and exhibitor who has helped bring our vision spectacularly to life. Together, we’ve created the world’s largest gathering of historic and modern railway vehicles, and a truly unforgettable experience for tens of thousands of visitors, alongside those watching online at home.”
The Greatest Gathering takes place on Friday 1, Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August 2025 at Alstom’s historic Litchurch Lane Site in Derby. Britain’s biggest and oldest remaining train factory will be home to more than 140 rolling stock exhibits from the past, present and future of the railways, with the site itself opening to the public for the first time in almost 50 years.
Highlights across the weekend will include:
- A cavalcade of steam locomotives: The 200-year-old Locomotion No. 1 will be joined by the UK’s oldest operating standard gauge engine, Furness Railway No. 20, Derby-built Midland Railway 1000 Class No. 1000 and the world-famous Flying Scotsman. Locomotion No. 1 will appear beside a Derby-built Alstom Class 720 Aventra train, placing one of the world’s oldest locomotives next to one of the UK’s newest at The Greatest Gathering
- A lineup of high-speed trains including Alstom-built Class 390 Pendolino Progress – the UK’s first fully wrapped Pride train – which will appear alongside Eurostar power car 3999 and Derby-designed Class 43 High Speed Trains (HSTs)
- A host of trains debuting new names and liveries, including two Class 50 locomotives that will showcase striking wraps designed especially for The Greatest Gathering in partnership with Aura Brand Solutions
- Visitors will get the opportunity to ride on steam, diesel and electric-hauled trains, including a Class 345 Derby-built Alstom Aventra train along Litchurch Lane’s 1.4 km-long test track. Meanwhile, Prince, the world’s oldest operating narrow-gauge locomotive from 1863, will be carrying passengers throughout the jamboree
- Every day a packed timetable of talks and performances from famous faces and industry insiders will be taking place in the specially-constructed Mobility Theatre. The space will also host the UK premiere of feature-length documentary An Unlikely Fandom: The Impact of Thomas the Tank Engine on Saturday 2 August, which will be followed by a Q&A with its US-based filmmakers
- At the heart of The Greatest Gathering, inside one of Litchurch Lane’s vast workshops, lies a vibrant and future-focused family-friendly zone: the STEM Hub. Designed to ignite curiosity and ambition among visitors, this interactive space showcases the power of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in shaping the future of rail and sustainable mobility
- Another workshop on site hosts the Model Railway Village in partnership with Key Model World. From legendary music producer – and renowned railway modeller – Pete Waterman’s outstanding Making Tracks 3 in OO-gauge, to the biggest brands in model manufacturing, high quality layouts and model makers
- Curated in partnership with the National Railway Museum, the Railway 200 exhibition train, Inspiration, will showcase rail’s impact over the last two centuries inside a series of redesigned Mark 3 carriages that were originally built at Derby Litchurch Lane Works
- Finally, fairground attractions, family entertainment, street food and live music will also add to the festival feel
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“In this year of Railway 200 celebrations many imaginative and innovative events are being staged to mark this key anniversary in the history of railways. The Greatest Gathering does so on a huge scale, and promises to enter the history books as the largest exhibition of railway equipment ever staged in the UK. The whole rail industry has come together to back the vision of the organising team to create something truly special, which is wonderful to see as we move forward into the new future with the creation of Great British Railways,” said Lord Peter Hendy, UK Rail Minister.
He added: “I very much hope the thousands of you who were fortunate enough to secure tickets enjoy the display, which aims to really highlight the railway of the past, present and future, and hopefully inspires some of the diverse younger generations to become the railway professionals of the future.”
Covering 90 acres, Derby Litchurch Lane Works is one of the world’s largest rolling stock factories, and the only UK facility that designs, engineers, builds and tests trains for domestic and export markets. The factory was opened by the Midland Railway in 1876 and the city of Derby has been building trains continually since 1839. In 2022, Derby was chosen by the Government as the home of Great British Railways following a vote by the public between contender cities.
“I would like to warmly congratulate the team at Alstom as they celebrate 200 years of railway history in Derby, and look forward to a bright future of designing and building the next generation of trains, and supporting the decarbonisation of transport for decades to come. Alstom Derby’s key contribution to delivering major transport projects across the UK shows how bilateral investment can be a driver for growth, innovation and improved connections between people,” said Her Excellency Madame Hélène Duchêne, French Ambassador to the UK.
Her Excellency added: “In this regard, Alstom’s manufacturing presence in the UK echoes the British and French Governments’ shared commitment to supporting rail travel, both domestically and through the Channel Tunnel. Following the UK-France Summit on 10 July, our two countries committed to deepening their cooperation to foster the growth of Cross-Channel rail traffic, including by working to reduce barriers for potential new market entrants.”
All profits from The Greatest Gathering will be split between Railway 200’s five chosen charities – Alzheimer’s Research UK, Railway Benefit Fund, Railway Children, Railway Mission and Transport Benevolent Fund CIO – and railway heritage partners.
A full list of exhibits on display at Alstom presents The Greatest Gathering can be found on the event’s official website: www.alstom.com/greatest-gathering
Rail & Road
Hitachi Rail Accelerates Global Rail Operations by Integrating Omnicom’s Advanced Monitoring Technology into the Powerful HMAX Platform
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Hitachi Rail is driving the acceleration of global rail operations by integrating Omnicom’s cutting-edge monitoring technology into its advanced HMAX platform. This strategic move enhances HMAX’s ability to process vast amounts of real-time data for rail operators worldwide, enabling more efficient monitoring, predictive maintenance, and operational decision-making. By adding Omnicom’s technology, Hitachi Rail strengthens its digital asset management system, which already serves over 2,000 trains globally, providing unprecedented operational insights and facilitating proactive maintenance. This integration empowers rail operators to optimize asset lifecycle management and improve overall operational efficiency, positioning Hitachi Rail as a leader in the digital transformation of the rail industry.
In a strategic move to strengthen its digital asset management capabilities, Hitachi Rail has successfully acquired Omnicom, the cutting-edge digital rail monitoring business, from Balfour Beatty. This acquisition is set to significantly bolster the growth of HMAX, Hitachi Rail’s advanced digital asset management platform.
HMAX, already deployed across more than 2,000 trains globally, is set to become even more powerful with the acquisition of Omnicom. This acquisition brings in cutting-edge solutions and proprietary technologies that will seamlessly integrate with the HMAX platform, amplifying its value for rail operators and infrastructure managers worldwide.
Innovative Rail Monitoring Solutions
The acquisition introduces advanced software and hardware specifically designed to survey, inspect, and monitor rail infrastructure assets. These technologies span several components, such as overhead lines and tracks. Omnicom’s next-generation monitoring systems are designed to be installed on trains and leverage edge computing and machine learning for near-instantaneous anomaly detection. By analyzing massive data sets, these systems can identify potential issues at an early stage, enabling proactive maintenance and reducing operational disruptions.
The monitoring systems are capable of generating trillions of bytes of image data each day, providing critical insights into trackside conditions. This data-driven approach allows rail operators to optimize maintenance schedules and improve the overall lifecycle management of rail infrastructure.
HMAX: Revolutionizing Rail Asset Management
Launched at InnoTrans in September 2024, HMAX is a comprehensive digital asset management solution that integrates live data from trains and surrounding rail infrastructure into a unified platform. This platform leverages Lumada 3.0, a unique digital ecosystem that combines IT (Information Technology), OT (Operational Technology), and products from the Hitachi group to deliver an advanced range of solutions for rail operators.
HMAX employs artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms to process incoming data, extracting valuable insights that can be used to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery. These insights help optimize traffic flow, reduce energy consumption, and support predictive maintenance to improve asset longevity and safety.
Enhanced Real-Time Data Processing and Operational Efficiency
A standout feature of HMAX is its capability to process vast amounts of data directly at the source—on the trains or within the infrastructure itself. In contrast to traditional systems that send all data to centralized servers for processing, HMAX intelligently filters out non-essential data and transmits only the actionable insights to operational control centers. This method greatly accelerates the speed at which transport operators can access critical information, enabling quicker decision-making and improving overall operational efficiency.
Previously, it could take several days for data to be analyzed and acted upon in maintenance locations. With HMAX’s edge computing capabilities, actionable insights are delivered in real-time, allowing for immediate decisions and timely interventions. This reduces delays, enhances safety, and ensures that rail networks operate at optimal efficiency.
The Next Era of Rail Technology: A Digital Transformation
The acquisition of Omnicom solidifies Hitachi Rail’s leadership in driving the digital evolution of rail operations. By integrating HMAX with Omnicom’s advanced monitoring solutions, Hitachi Rail is establishing new benchmarks in rail asset management, predictive maintenance, and operational performance. This strategic move positions the company at the forefront of innovation in the rail industry, redefining how rail networks are managed and optimized.
Hitachi Rail is accelerating global rail operations by integrating Omnicom’s advanced monitoring technology into its HMAX platform, enhancing real-time data processing and predictive maintenance. This integration empowers rail operators with greater operational efficiency and proactive asset management worldwide.
This strategic move underscores Hitachi Rail’s commitment to driving innovation in the rail industry, ensuring that operators and infrastructure managers worldwide can benefit from the latest advancements in digital technology. As HMAX continues to evolve, the platform promises to redefine how rail networks are managed, offering unprecedented insights, increased reliability, and a more sustainable approach to rail operations.
Through this acquisition, Hitachi Rail is poised to lead the way in the next phase of the rail industry’s digital revolution.
This past week, the Eno Center issued a report entitled “Freight Rail for the 21st Century: Opportunities for Mode Shift to Improve Efficiency and Resiliency.” The main objective of the report is to provide policymakers and industry professionals with a resource including analyses and strategies to improve freight rail policy, with a specific focus on improving efficiency and resiliency. The report was developed with the support of Henry Posner, of the Railroad Development Corporation and Iowa Interstate Railroad, along with an advisory panel made up of several industry experts.
The Report at a Glance
The report builds on the main objective in a series of sections. First, the report includes an analysis of the freight sector in general, looking at freight volumes, major commodities, fuel consumption, and distances, all with breakdowns between different transportation modes. The intention of a general freight sector analysis is to establish the context in which the report then discusses the value of rail in the freight sector. There is a short discussion on a modal shift towards rail, outlining the areas in which rail can take on freight traffic from other modes. The goal of the discussion on mode shift is to show that rail is a competitive, reliable, and safe mode of transport, especially for long-distance, heavy, and low-value freight (although it is important to note that rail is an option for high-value intermodal goods).
The report includes a section on resiliency, which is defined in the context of infrastructure resilience as “ability to reduce the magnitude or duration of disruptive events, by anticipating, adapting to and/or recovering from a potentially disruptive event.” Improving infrastructure, transportation planning, data collection, and fostering innovation are all components of building resilience in the freight network. The report then includes a section on efficiency, specifically comparing greenhouse gas emissions between modes, fuel efficiency, and fuel alternatives in the rail industry.
There are several key points that can be extrapolated from the comprehensive report:
- Freight volumes in the U.S. are projected to increase by 2050, placing significant strain on existing transportation infrastructure, which is already constrained by bottlenecks, trucking workforce shortages, and limited intermodal capacity. Rail transport, currently underutilized, offers a crucial opportunity to relieve road congestion, improve efficiency, and mitigate environmental impacts.
- Freight rail provides significant environmental and economic advantages over trucking, including greater fuel efficiency, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and cost-effectiveness for long-haul and bulk freight. Encouraging a mode shift from road to rail can help achieve emissions reductions and improve overall freight sustainability.
- Strategic policy actions are needed to leverage rail’s potential fully. Recommended actions include increasing public funding for rail infrastructure, enhancing data sharing for effective planning, modernizing emissions standards, providing tax incentives for alternative fuels, and strengthening organizational capacity for multimodal freight planning. These measures collectively aim to enhance the resiliency, efficiency, and sustainability of the national freight transportation system.
The report has two components. The full report provides a detailed analysis on the freight sector, the value of freight rail, resiliency and efficiency in the freight sector, and presentation of public policy recommendations.
The second component is called the “Summary for Policymakers,” or “Policymaker’s Summary.” The objective behind this component is to provide a stand-alone document that provides the high-level analysis and recommendations from the full report in a concise and shorter document designed for the busy policymaker or industry professional. This is similar to an executive summary, except that the policymaker’s summary does not exist within the full report like an executive summary.
Current Considerations for Freight Rail
This report comes at an important juncture for freight rail, with the recent announcement of the Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger. The merger is going to bring about the first transcontinental railroad under one company in the United States, and with it, the potential for the companies to think about improving efficiency of the freight rail network. While the two railroads see the merger as a method of improving efficiency in the freight rail network, understanding the implications of a merger (of which there are many, both positive and negative) warrants a separate article.
While this report focuses on freight rail, the value of rail as an efficient, resilient, and reliable form of transportation can apply to passenger rail as well. Further research on strategies to boost resiliency and efficiency in the passenger rail network can be a valuable resource in strengthening the viability of passenger rail to provide essential, reliable, and enjoyable service.
Rail has been a part of the United States’ transportation conscience for nearly 200 years. From the major Class I railroads moving bulk commodities across the country to the short lines supporting local businesses and industries, freight rail is a valuable and integral part of the freight transportation network. This report seeks to strengthen that notion through its analysis and recommendations. The United States boasts the largest freight rail network in the world, and policymakers and industry professionals can implement strategies to make this vast rail network to become a more resilient and efficient piece of infrastructure and support the many people who keep the rail network moving.
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