Canadian Pacific reports record financial and safety results

Tank train passing signals on open prairie

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific set quarterly records for revenue, earnings, and adjusted operating ratio as second quarter volume bounced back from last year’s pandemic lows. “Behind those numbers obviously is a very impressive operating performance,” CEO Keith Creel says, rattling off a list of key metrics that improved, including train length and weight and […]

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Norfolk Southern outlook brightens after record second quarter

Black locomotives lead train through curve

NORFOLK, Va. — Buoyed by strong volume and revenue growth, Norfolk Southern lifted its outlook for the year as it reported record second-quarter financial results on Wednesday. “We are even more confident about growth for the balance of this year,” CEO Jim Squires told investors and analysts on the railroad’s earnings call. The railroad now […]

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Cody’s Trackside Finds

An end-cab switcher in brown primer and black paint sits on a track next to a farm field.

Independent Locomotive Service (ILSX) and KBN Inc. became co-owners of my hometown railroad, the Minnesota Northern (MNN), in August 2000. Since taking over the short line from RailAmerica, the railroad’s fleet of MNN-painted and lettered diesels has been supplemented with assorted lease units from ILSX. Everything from Electro-Motive Division (EMD) SW1s to SD40T-2s have been […]

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Board approves material purchases, hoping to lower cost of South Shore Double Track project

A silver passenger train operates in the middle of a street.

CHESTERTON, Ind. — The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District has approved purchase of materials for its planned South Shore Double Track project between Gary and Michigan City, Ind., as part of its effort to lower the cost of building the commuter railroad’s second main line. The Times of Northwest Indiana reports the board on Monday […]

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Florida DOT extends deadline for Brightline lease agreement on Orlando-Tampa route

Brightline logo

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Department of Transportation has extended the deadline for negotiations with Brightline on a lease on its proposed Orlando-Tampa passenger route, which had been set for July 31. In a July 19 letter to Brightline President Patrick Goddard, Brad Thoburn, the state DOT assistant secretary, strategic development, cited “significant progress” in […]

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Shortline savior

Red-and-white diesel switcher locomotives in a road crossing

Shortline savior North Carolina’s Laurinburg & Southern was a GE 70-tonner bastion in the Southeast. A pair works Dixie Guano in Laurinburg in September 1984. The GE small locomotive line enabled great savings for short lines that adopted them, keeping some of them running for years longer than if powered by steam. Jim Wrinn photo […]

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Four Class I CEOs, STB chairman to headline North American Rail Shippers annual meeting

North American Rail Shippers logo

CHICAGO – The North American Rail Shippers Association annual meeting, scheduled for Sept. 7-9 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago, will feature presentations from four Class I railroad chief executives. Confirmed speakers include BNSF Railway CEO Katie Farmer, Union Pacific CEO Lance Fritz, Kansas City Southern CEO Pat Ottensmeyer, and Canadian National CEO JJ Ruest. Surface […]

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News photos: Indiana city saves, relocates interlocking tower

Brick building being moved down street

UNION CITY, Ind. — The former CSX interlocking tower in Union City was successfully moved Tuesday from its long-time location to a city park one block away. The tower, closed since 1968, will be turned into public restrooms and a visitor’s center at Union City’s Artisan Crossing, a gathering space for community and artistic events. […]

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Corsican mint

Coriscan mint in the background of two figurines next to track

Common name: Corsican mint Plant type: Groundcover Latin name: Mentha requienii Plant size: ¼” to ½” high; spreading USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9; annual in other zones Cultural needs: Moist, well drained neutral or slightly acidic soil; sun to part shade Easily one of the flattest groundcovers, with the tiniest purple flowers, Corsican mint is great […]

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Model railroad locomotive, freight car, passenger car, train set, structure, and detail announcements for July 29, 2021

BNSF Gunderson Multi-Max auto rack.

Product news Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of July 29, 2021. HO scale locomotives  Canadian National GP9RM diesel locomotive kit. […]

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