From the Cab: Careful, I might break your camera

A man in a white cap and red shirt stands in the doorway of a locomotive

Photography has been my hobby since I retired as Amtrak’s company photographer in December 2012. In addition to trains, I shoot events of all kinds. There never fails to be at least one self-deprecating soul who grins at me and says, “Careful, I might break your camera.” Imagine their surprise when I respond, “Someone already […]

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CPKC to name new subdivision after former KCS CEO Michael Haverty

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Canadian Pacific Kansas City will honor former Kansas City Southern CEO Michael Haverty by naming a new subdivision after the influential railroad executive. Assuming the deal gains the necessary regulatory approval, CPKC will name its portion of the Meridian & Bigbee short line the Haverty Subdivision. CPKC and CSX plan to […]

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Tank car history 101

White tank cars pass a railroad signal showing a red light. A green tree is behind the signal

Tank car history traces back more than 150 years. Today, tens of thousands of tank cars are in service on North American railroads. They are used for various liquids and gasses, and their cargos include petroleum products, chemicals, and food-grade substances. Tank cars can be pressurized or non-pressurized, insulated or non-insulated, and — depending on […]

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Wisconsin governor proposes passenger trains to NFL Draft

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers official portrait

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has proposed running special Amtrak trains to Green Bay during next year’s NFL Draft. In the last few years, the draft announcements have become big business, drawing thousands of people to host cities. The 90th version of the NFL Draft will be held in Green Bay, home […]

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Intermodal leads U.S. rail traffic to a weekly gain

Intermodal train passing through steel girder bridge

WASHINGTON – Total U.S. weekly rail traffic rose 0.9% for the week ending May 18, up 474,886 carloads and intermodal units compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads reported on Wednesday. Total carloads for the week ending May 18 were 214,092 carloads, down 4.8% compared with the same week in […]

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Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 to pull public excursion

Three-quarter shot of 4-6-4 steam locomotive with maroon trim and tender

SILVIS, Ill. — Railroading Heritage of Midwest America and the Central States Steam Preservation Association announced today that Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 will pull a public excursion June 29 on the Iowa Interstate Railroad. According to the two sponsors, the trip is being run as an educational fundraiser to promote railroad safety. The train […]

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Coal exports resuming through port of Baltimore

Coal hoppers enter tunnel

CSX and Norfolk Southern expect to resume normal export coal operations at the port of Baltimore in the coming days now that the 50-foot shipping channel has been reopened in the wake of the deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The March 26 collapse of the bridge following a ship strike blocked marine […]

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