Federal judge orders BNSF and coal producer to arbitrate dispute

Full and empty coal trains stopped on adjacent tracks

Navajo Transitional Energy Co.’s lawsuit against BNSF Railway, which seeks damages for the railway’s alleged failure to reach coal volume commitments, must head to arbitration, a federal judge ruled this week. NTEC filed suit against BNSF in December, claiming that the railroad’s preferential treatment of other mines cost it more than $150 million in revenue […]

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Weekly decline in U.S. rail traffic appears constant

Weekly table showing U.S. carload rail traffic by commodity type, plus overall intermodal traffic

WASHINGTON — Weekly U.S. rail traffic remained at similar levels to those established in recent weeks, with volume for the week ending Aug. 5 down 3.2% from the same week in 2022. It was the sixth time in the last seven weeks that the weekly figure has shown a decline of between 2.4 and 3.2% […]

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New rules coming for Stuart, Fla., rail drawbridge

Freight train with two locomotives and LNG tender crossing bridge

STUART, Fla. — The U.S. Coast Guard plans to issue revised rules governing the Florida East Coast Railway drawbridge over the St. Lucie River in Stuart on Friday, Aug. 11, WQCS Radio reports — but details on those revisions are not yet public. Operating rules for the bridge are a key concern for Brightline as […]

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FRA report: Norfolk Southern safety improving, but gaps remain

Aerial view of burning freight cars

WASHINGTON — Norfolk Southern’s commitment to safety has improved since the disastrous Feb. 3 hazardous materials derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, the Federal Railroad Administration said in a report released today. But the FRA’s 143-page supplemental safety culture assessment also found that NS often focuses on meeting minimum safety standards, has inadequate communications procedures, inconsistent […]

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Landowners sue BNSF over damage from 2018 derailment

BNSF Railway logo

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Landowners at the site of a 2018 derailment near Doon, Iowa, are suing BNSF Railway, seeking damages for cleanup costs and reduced property values from oil spilled in the incident. The Sioux City Journal reports Philip, Kirsti, John, and Helen Kooima of Rock Valley, Iowa, have sued BNSF for negligence over […]

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No injuries reported as CN trains collide in Alberta

Two derailed red and black locomotives and derailed freight cars

WAINWRIGHT, Alberta — Two Canadian National trains collided west of Wainwright about 10:30 a.m. today (Aug. 8), Global News reports. No injuries were reported. CN, in a statement to Global News, said two of its trains “came into contact with each other, resulting in several derailed rail cars in various positions.” The railroad said no […]

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Better as a Model: The Fairbanks-Morse Train Master

Lionel Fairbanks-Morse Train Master

The Fairbanks-Morse Train Master is one of the most popular locomotives of all time in toy traindom. This hulking engine, introduced to the model world in 1954 by Lionel, is right up there with the F3 and GP7/9 as one of the best-loved and most-produced diesels in the hobby. Multiple companies make or have made […]

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