Retiring BNSF Railway Executive Chairman Matt Rose David Lassen MARCO ISLAND, Fla. – It is becoming more clear that Precision Scheduled Railroading is the subject that devours all other rail topics in its path. Anyone who doubts that need only have spent four days at the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association Conference at the […]
Magazine: Trains Magazine
Norfolk Southern quickly regains its operational mojo NEWSWIRE
NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern’s new operating plan is gaining traction. The railroad is moving faster than it has in nearly two years as average train speeds have climbed 28 percent during the past eight weeks. Last week’s 22.8-mph average train speed was the highest NS has posted since the spring of 2017 and was […]
Propane tank car derailment prompts evacuation in upstate New York NEWSWIRE
Hoosick, N.Y. Google Maps HOOSICK, N.Y. — Several freight cars, including three propane tank cars, derailed from a Vermont Railway train in North Hoosick, N.Y., Wednesday evening, according to state and local officials. The cars did not leak, although some local residents were evacuated as a precaution. There were no reported injuries. “State emergency personnel, […]
Niles Canyon’s restored Southern Pacific Krauss-Maffei diesel to debut in July NEWSWIRE
9010 receives its “new” used truck repatriated from France. Pictured, from left, are Rich Alexander, SP 9010 Lead Machinist Bill Stimmerman and Dennis Mann, all PLA volunteers. Robert Zenk Volunteer Rob Fern and SP 9010 Restoration Crew Chief Howard P. Wise look over some of their work. Robert Zenk The once and future 9010 looked […]
Service restored to Illinois short line after tow boat strikes bridge NEWSWIRE
PEORIA, Ill. — Traffic is moving over a shortline’s bridge after a river tow boat struck it Sunday evening. The Tazewell & Peoria Railroad Illinois River lift bridge, which links Peoria and East Peoria Illinois with its Illinois River crossing was struck by a towboat and closed to rail traffic Monday. The towboat was shoving […]
Union Pacific now expects record operating ratio for 2018 NEWSWIRE
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific will report a record-low operating ratio for 2018 thanks to an unexpected combination of lower costs and strong traffic volume in December, the railroad said in a regulatory filing on Wednesday. On Nov. 29, UP warned that it did not expect an improvement in its full-year operating ratio due to […]
CP, CSX, KCS roll out 2019 infrastructure plans NEWSWIRE
MARCO ISLAND, Fla. – Three Class I railroads presented 2019 capital plan information during Wednesday’s final day of the National Railroad Contractors and Maintenance Association Conference. While none yet had approved dollar figures to offer for their 2019 capital spending, all offered some notable information. A westbound train exits Mount Macdonald Tunnel in September 2007. […]
Derailment narrowly misses Texas home NEWSWIRE
A UP freight derailed Wednesday in Texas, narrowly missing a house. Ed Miller AUBREY, Texas — A Union Pacific freight train that derailed in Aubrey, Texas, Wednesday morning, narrowly missed a trackside house. CBS station DFW reports that one locomotive and six cars derailed and remained upright. Seven other cars left the tracks and overturned […]
Metra’s Milwaukee Road heritage unit to hit the rails Jan. 10 NEWSWIRE
No. 405 makes it debut on Jan. 4. Metra CHICAGO – Chicago area commuter railroad Metra is expected release newly painted Milwaukee Road heritage unit No. 405 for revenue service on Thursday, a source close to the railroad tells Trains News Wire. The locomotive is tentatively assigned to Metra train No. 2119 departing Chicago at […]
Notable moments from the first three days of the NRC Conference NEWSWIRE
MARCO ISLAND, Fla. – Catching up on some notable moments from the first three days of the National Railroad Contractor and Maintenance Association Conference: PRECISION SCHEDULED RAILROADING AND CAPITAL PROJECTS: Tuesday’s panel discussion on Precision Scheduled Railroading, featuring three current or former Canadian National executives and Howard Green, author of the biography of former CEO […]
Indiana locomotive shop turns out re-built SD40 in Southern/C&O-inspired paint NEWSWIRE
Indiana Boxcar’s Olin Locomotive Works is nearing completion on a rebuild of former Louisville & Nashville Railroad SD40 No. 1245, built in 1970. The unit belongs to the Chesapeake & Indiana. Steve Smedley OLIN, Ind. — Olin Locomotive Works is close to completing the rebuild of one of three six-axle EMD’s purchased in a sealed […]
Jim Vena: Union Pacific’s $9 billion-man NEWSWIRE
Jim Vena, Union Pacific Chief Operating Officer Canadian National OMAHA, Neb. — Jim Vena is Union Pacific’s $9 billion man. No, that’s not how much Vena will earn as the railroad’s new chief operating officer. Under the terms of his contract, he’ll earn a base salary of $600,000 and will be eligible for an annual […]