19 from '19: Our most-read news stories in 2019

摘要

In rail country, top-of-mind topics don't always lend themselves to daily news coverage. Given the evolutionary nature of freight-rail traffic volumes, and positive train control (PTC) and precision scheduled railroading (PSR) implementation, there aren't always news hooks upon which to peg stories (e.g., "PTC's still being implemented, sources said"). But PTC, PSR and a few other trending topics wormed their way onto our most-read Daily News list for 2019. So did short-line M&A activity in what independent transportation analyst and Progressive Railroading columnist Tony Hatch pegged "The Year of the Short Line." A few perennial topics — Class I announcements that hint at growth (or the opposite), derailment-related items, regulatory agency pronouncements and, of course, Amtrak news of almost any variety — also piqued readers' interest.