RailPrime — information you can't get anywhere else

By Pat Foran, Editor

Since February 2021, we’ve offered RailPrime, a digital subscription information delivery vehicle dedicated to all things freight transportation. A complement to our monthly magazine and Daily News offerings, RailPrime focuses on what’s changing in and around the freight-rail realm. A primary aim remains to illustrate, in all the ways a digital platform affords, why the changes (and the consequences of not changing) matter.

RailPrime is home to just about all of our originally reported (and video-recorded) coverage. Recently posted content ranges from fresh freight railroad stories [“CN moves first unit train from G3’s new grain elevator in Alberta” (6/16/23) … “Sustainability an overriding theme for new CSX-served fuel feedstock facility” (6/26/23)] to timely articles on the industry’s changing workforce [“Class Is make gains toward gender diversity in the boardroom” (5/31/23) … “Researchers study gender diversity’s impact on rail safety culture” (5/2/23)].

We’ve also stepped up our coverage of other links in the freight transportation chain [“New terminal would give Green Bay port expanded rail access” (6/15/23) … “Larger ships pulling into Port of Halifax pose intermodal business boost for CN” (5/17/23)].

Meanwhile, RailPrime’s short-line coverage is unmatched. You won’t find most of it anywhere else — e.g., “Pennsylvania & Southern seeks ownership of long-leased line” (7/5/23), “Traffic tumbled in Q1 for a majority of small railroads” (4/28/23), “K.C.-area airport agency strives to spur growth for commerce center, short line” (3/16/23). And we’re chipping away at the transportation technology evolution on the site [“After one year, CN’s renewable fuel tests rate a high grade” (6/1/23) … “Logistics companies bet on chat AI to assist customers” (5/26/23)].

Subscribers also have free access to exclusive virtual summits. So far in 2023, they’ve had access to three of them:  

• “Threats to Talents: Navigating Cybersecurity and Recruiting Trends in Rail,” with Watco Director of Technical Services and Security Gregg Robbins among the speakers;

• “Rails on the Brink: The ‘Great Experiment’ (Over Before it Even Begins?),” a presentation from independent transportation analyst Tony Hatch; and

• “Rail’s Evolving Digital Age,” featuring a keynote from Union Pacific Railroad Senior Vice President-Information Technologies and Chief Information Officer Rahul Jalali.

What I wrote two years ago when we unveiled RailPrime still stands: If we do what we say we’ll do, we’ll provide information — and context — that, in the aggregate, you won’t get anywhere else.

Saying it is one thing; delivering it, another. We’re delivering it when it comes to short lines and the changing rail workforce. But there’s plenty more to develop and a lot more to deliver.

There will be more virtual summits and more coverage, period, posted on RailPrime in the months ahead. I hope you’ll check it out. An annual subscription to RailPrime is $199; a monthly subscription is $19. For more information or to subscribe, visit www.progressiverailroading.com/railprime. Other questions about RailPrime? Progressive Railroading? I’m here: pat.foran@tradepress.com; 414-228-7701 x522.