HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania State Transportation Commission has approved $26 million in state funding for 24 freight rail infrastructure projects — receiving amounts ranging from $119,000 to $3 million — under the Department of Transportation’s Rail Transportation Assistance Program and Rail Freight Assistance Program. “These investments in Pennsylvania’s rail system create jobs, support efficient […]
Type of Train: Freight
CN, CP, CSX, UP earn environmental recognition (updated)
Canadian National and Canadian Pacific have both received places on the “A List” of global environmental non-profit CDP for corporate transparency and performance on climate change. Both were among a small number of companies receiving that score among almost 15,000 companies scored. CSX Transportation and Union Pacific, meanwhile, have been included in the Dow Jones […]
Weekly U.S. rail traffic again below 2021 levels
WASHINGTON — U.S. intermodal traffic remains below 2021 levels, keeping overall volume down for the week ending Dec. 10, 2022, according to the latest statistics from the Association of American Railroads. Total volume for the week was 500,310 carloads and intermodal units, a decrease of 2.5% from the corresponding week a year ago. That includes […]
No locomotive needed!
An employee uses a car mover to shift a Milwaukee Road boxcar on a side track. Car movers have hinged spurs that bite into the rail. Pushing down on the handle exerts upward pressure on the wheel to start the car in motion. Advance Car Mover Co. photo […]
BLET reportedly votes to oust president
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, unhappy about the results of recent labor negotiations, have apparently opted to make a change in union leadership. The Associated Press and other sources are reporting that challenger Eddie Hall defeated incumbent Dennis Pierce in voting for the union presidency, although the union […]
Rapido Canadian 3800 cylindrical hopper
Rapido Canadian 3800 cylindrical hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $54.95; six-pack, $329.70 Era: 1965+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Rapido Trains Inc., 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5 Canada; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Canadian 3800 cylindrical hopper features: Round-hatch or Trough-hatch design Dofasco S-2 100-ton trucks Two body variations with 6- or […]
Union Pacific details plans to test feasibility of ground-based conductors
WASHINGTON — Union Pacific is ready to launch pilot programs that will test the feasibility of redeploying conductors from locomotive cabs to ground-based positions, the railroad told the Federal Railroad Administration today during a hearing on the agency’s proposed two-person crew rule. UP believes that ground-based conductors — which the railroad dubs expediters — would […]
Autoflood III coal hopper in N scale from Rapido
Autoflood III coal hopper in N scale from Rapido Scale: N (1:160) Price: Single car, $38.95; six-pack, $233.70 Era: 2004+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Rapido Trains Inc., 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5 Canada; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Autoflood III coal hopper features: Die-cast frame and floor Full interior rivet and K-member details […]
Union Pacific wants to provide rail labor with paid sick days, more predictable schedules
WASHINGTON — Union Pacific wants to address sick leave for its unionized employees and provide certainty regarding scheduled days off, CEO Lance Fritz told the Surface Transportation Board on Tuesday. STB Member Robert Primus asked Fritz if he would be in favor of adding sick leave, something that rail labor is seeking through congressional action […]
Canada’s TSB finds miscommunication, error by driver of hi-rail vehicle led to 2020 collision with CN train
GATINEAU, Quebec — A hi-rail vehicle parked outside the area specified in its track occupancy permit — reflecting miscommunication between the vehicle’s driver and the rail traffic controller, as well as the driver’s inexperience in requesting such permits — led to a Canadian National train striking the vehicle in a Nov. 28, 2020, accident near […]
Shippers, labor, and regulators critical of Union Pacific’s use of embargoes
WASHINGTON — Union Pacific’s increasing reliance on embargoes to clear congestion came under fire on Tuesday from shippers, labor unions, and members of the Surface Transportation Board during a daylong hearing. Regulators last month ordered UP to explain why it has significantly increased its use of embargoes. With UP running short of train crews, the […]
Food Machinery Corporation 50-foot plug door boxcar in N scale from Athearn
Food Machinery Corporation 50-foot plug door boxcar in N scale from Athearn Scale: N (1:160) Price: $29.99. Add $5 for Primed for Grime. Era: 1977+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Food Machinery Corporation 50-foot boxcar features: Injection-molded body Scale profile brake wheel Roller bearing, screw-mounted […]