Preservation group goes to court over Bismarck bridge

Steam-powered passenger train on large truss bridge over water

BISMARCK, N.D. — The preservation group seeking to block demolition of a 140-year-old BNSF Railway bridge has taken its effort to court. The Bismarck Tribune reports that the group Friends of the Rail Bridge has filed an appeal with the state’s South Central District Court seeking to overturn a decision by the state Department of […]

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FRA issues safety advisory in wake of Union Pacific collision in Texas

Two aerial photos of collision of two trains in Texas

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration issued a safety advisory this week in the aftermath of an April collision and derailment on Union Pacific that involved a misaligned hand-throw switch. The FRA continues to investigate the April 16 collision in Texas that occurred in dark territory with no positive train control overlay. The National Transportation […]

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Chicago suburbs sue over CPKC merger

People walk across railroad tracks as trains meet in background

CHICAGO — A group of western Chicago suburbs opposed to the union of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern is asking that regulators reconsider the CPKC merger. In a federal lawsuit filed Thursday with the U.S. Seventh Circuit, the eight communities and one county that make up the Coalition to Stop CPKC called the Surface […]

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UP releases ‘Building America’ sustainability report

Image of cover of Union Pacific report with montage of photos

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific has released its 2022 Building America Report, outlining the company’s efforts to address sustainability, safety, corporate accountability, and community engagement by outlining its actions in areas ranging from workforce training to cybersecurity to contributions to nonprofit organizations. “This report highlights our progress to achieve the goals outlined in our Building […]

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CSX derailment sends cars into creek

CSX logo

MASON, Tenn. — Three cars of grain landed in a creek after a derailment of a CSX Transportation train early Thursday in Mason, WREG-TV reports. The derailment occurred about 4:20 a.m. and involved nine cars in all, according to the Tipton County Sheriff’s Department. No injuries were reported. A CSX representative told WHBQ-TV that no […]

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CPKC launches first Midwest Mexico Express intermodal hotshots

CALGARY, Alberta — CPKC today launched the Mexico Midwest Express premium intermodal service linking Chicago, Kansas City, and Laredo, Texas, with Monterrey and San Luis Potosi in Mexico. A nighttime photo on CPKC’s home page showed train MMX-181 about to break through a CPKC de Mexico banner on its inaugural northbound run. The newly merged […]

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Couplers

couplers

The next time you watch a quartet of six-motor diesels go grinding past with an 11,000-ton unit coal train, consider that all that horsepower is being transmitted through the train by a mere 11-inch-high chunk of steel at the end of each car. This simple little device – the “knuckle” – is the key part […]

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Amtrak reaches settlement with freight customers on Harrisburg Line

Amtrak640

WASHINGTON – Amtrak has reached a settlement in principle with two freight customers in Pennsylvania who had asked federal regulators to prevent the loss of rail service during a six-week track project. Amtrak told federal regulators on May 10 that it had reached a confidential settlement with Esbenshade and the Wenger Group, which operate feed […]

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Rio Grande Pacific to take over from Watco on Louisiana short line

Rio Grande Pacific logo

WASHINGTON – Shortline holding company Rio Grande Pacific will add a fifth railroad to its stable: Bogalusa & Northern Railway in Louisiana. Bogalusa & Northern will acquire trackage rights over a mile of Canadian National’s Bogalusa Subdivision in Bogalusa and Leescreek, La., according to a regulatory filing. Watco’s Bogalusa Bayou Railroad currently holds the trackage […]

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