CN touts its bid for Kansas City Southern, rebuts CP criticism

Canadian Pacific and Canadian National trains pass

WASHINGTON – The railroad duel of the 21st century continues. In a letter to federal regulators, Canadian National today touted its “superior” bid for Kansas City Southern and sought to correct “misleading statements” that Canadian Pacific made this week about a potential CN-KCS merger. Last month CP and KCS reached a friendly, $29 billion deal […]

Read More…

Metra seeks to convert three diesels to battery power

Illustration of Metra locomotive in green versioin of paint scheme

CHICAGO — The Metra board of directors has approved a Request for Proposals to convert three of Metra’s F40PH-3 diesels into battery-powered, zero-emission diesels, with the aim of awarding a contract this fall and having the first locomotive delivered 30 months later. “This proposal could be game-changing,” Metra Executive Director/CEO Jim Derwinski said in a […]

Read More…

Digest: Senate Republicans release $568 billion infrastructure proposal

A Metro-North train heads north through Westport, Conn

Republican infrastructure proposal includes $61 billion for transit, $20 billion for rail Senate Republicans have released a $568 billion infrastructure plan to counter the $2.3 trillion plan proposed by President Joe Biden. The website The Hill reports the Republican plan defines infrastructure more narrowly, emphasizing roads, railroads, public transit, airports, wastewater system and broadband infrastructure. […]

Read More…

Newsworthy

Patrons visit the newsstand in New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal

Newsworthy New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal’s newsstand is centrally located in the facility’s main room. The $25.5 million facility had 12 tracks and opened in May 1954. Photo by James G. La Vake […]

Read More…

Digest: BNSF train derails in Southern California desert

Damaged intermodal cars and containers

No injuries as BNSF intermodal train derails near Barstow About 15 cars of a BNSF Railway intermodal train derailed Thursday at Jimgray, Calif., about 24 miles northwest of Barstow on the railroad’s Mojave Subdivision. The San Bernardino County Fire Department reports on Twitter that it responded to the accident about 6 a.m., but there were […]

Read More…

Union Pacific warily watching CP-CN battle for Kansas City Southern

Train with two locomotives and hopper cars on track parallelling street

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific is closely watching the battle for Kansas City Southern and how an acquisition by either Canadian Pacific or Canadian National could affect its cross-border traffic. UP CEO Lance Fritz notes that U.S. regulations require that mergers between Class I railroads must enhance competition and improve service for all shippers. “For […]

Read More…

Canadian National accuses Canadian Pacific of misleading KCS investors

Canadian National logo

MONTREAL – Canadian National today rebutted Canadian Pacific’s criticism of its dueling bid for Kansas City Southern, saying its higher offer is superior, will enhance competition, and clear regulatory hurdles. “Rather than acknowledge the clear and substantial superiority of CN’s proposal for KCS shareholders, CP has sought to distract investors and attack CN’s proposal with a […]

Read More…

On30 Ashland & Iron Mountain

Track plan overview

The layout at a glance Name: Ashland & Iron Mountain RR Scale: On30 (1:48 proportion, 30″ gauge) Size: 24′-6″ x 39′-0″ Prototype: freelanced, inspired by Quincy & Torch Lake RR Locale: Keweenaw Peninsula of Upper Michigan Era: late 1930s-1940s Style: walk-in Mainline run: 202 feet Minimum radius: 27″ Minimum turnout: no. 5 Maximum grade: 2.5 […]

Read More…

HO scale Stone Canyon

Track plan

The layout at a glance Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 28 x 40 feet Prototype: Freelanced Locale: Western U.S. mountain states Era: 1950s Style: walk in Mainline run: 200 feet Minimum radius: 30″ Minimum turnout: no. 5 Maximum grade: 2 percent Benchwork: L-girder Height: 42″ to 51″ Roadbed: cork on 3⁄4″ plywood Track: code 83 visible, […]

Read More…