Most British Columbia port terminals will shut down on Monday morning amid a labor dispute between the union representing 700 forepersons and the B.C. Maritime Employers Association. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 has issued a 72-hour strike notice and plans to walk off the job beginning at 8 a.m. on Nov. 4. […]
Railroad: CPKC
Canadian union files for conciliation with CPKC
CALGARY — Unifor has filed for conciliation in its negotiations with Canadian Pacific Kansas City, following a path the Canadian union has also taken in its contract talks with Canadian National. The union, which represents more than 1,200 mechanical workers at CPKC, said contract talks had reached an impasse. The filing of a Notice of […]
CPKC earnings grow despite Canadian work stoppage
CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s third-quarter profits and revenue increased despite the impact of the four-day work stoppage in Canada, the railway reported on Wednesday. Quarterly operating income rose 3%, to $870 million, as revenue increased 6%, to $2.56 billion. Earnings per share increased 7%, to 65 cents. CPKC’s operating ratio increased 1.2 […]
Regulators approve CPKC, CSX acquisition of Meridian & Bigbee
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has approved acquisition by Canadian Pacific Kansas City and CSX Transportation of the Meridian & Bigbee Railroad from Genesee & Wyoming, allowing the two Class I lines to create a new direct connection at Myrtlewood, Ala. The approval is effective Nov. 16, 2024. In separate decisions, the board approved […]
CPKC train derails in Louisiana
SIMSBORO, La. — No injuries were reported when 19 cars of a CPKC train derailed Sunday morning between the towns of Simsboro and Grambling, La.. The Ruston Leader reports the derailment occurred about 6:30 a.m. The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office reports that some cars carried a hazardous material, although the material involved was not specified. […]
CPKC opens new US operations center
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — CPKC on Friday, Oct. 11, marked the opening of its new U.S. Operations Center at Knoche Yard in Kansas City, Mo. Mayor Quinton Lucas and CEO Keith Creel participated in the ribbon-cutting for the four-story, 46,000-square-foot tower completed in just 15 months. The structure is home to the U.S. Network Operations […]
CPKC announces schedule, performers for 2024 Holiday Train
CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Kansas City has released the schedule and list of performers for the annual CPKC Holiday Train, which begins its tours through the U.S. and Canada on Nov. 20. The railroad’s holiday train will also continue to include the Holiday Express, originated by Kansas City Southern, which will make a 13-stop […]
Deciphering railroad lingo
Railroad lingo What is the railroad’s lingo? Utilized mostly by railroaders, it’s a way of speaking among co-workers that involves using railroad terminology, jargon, slang, or argot. Common lingo can vary from one group of individuals to another. Not born of this world, I’ve struggled to understand some of the language the railroad professionals use […]
Railfan Road: Railfanning the upper Mississippi
Railfanning the upper Mississippi River is a rewarding experience. The area’s scenic beauty rated a slogan from the Burlington Route: “Where nature smiles 300 miles,” enticing passengers to Chicago, Burlington & Quincy passenger trains along the east bank of the river. Milwaukee Road’s Hiawathas (slogan: “Nothing Faster on Rails”) competed for Chicago-Twin Cities business using its own […]
Administration officials urge three Class I railroads to guarantee paid sick leave
WASHINGTON — U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and acting Department of Labor Secretary Julie Su sent a letter today (Wednesday, Sept. 25) urging the CEOs of three Class I freight railroads to guarantee paid sick leave for all employees. One of the railroads, CSX, responded that two unions have rejected its efforts to do exactly […]
Railfan Road: Canadian prairie railroads
Exploring the Canadian prairie railroads by Provincial highway 14 between Edmonton, Alberta and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, one parallels the densest part of the Canadian National main line, hosts VIA Rail’s iconic Canadian streamliner as well as history, photo props, and even a sampling of CPKC’s former Canadian Pacific. The twist? Highway 14 is actually two separate […]
CPKC hydrogen locomotive completes first coal haul testing (updated)
SPARWOOD, British Columbia — CPKC announced a successful completion in the first of three phases of testing for its high-horsepower hydrogen road locomotive. The initial runs are part of a multi-year contract with Elk Valley Resources of the Glencore Group (formally Teck Resources Ltd.) to launch a first-of-its-kind pilot program of coal trains with hydrogen […]