WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic showed a significant drop for the week ending Nov. 26, a week including the Thanksgiving holiday, according to the latest statistics from the Association of American Railroads. Overall traffic was 413,305 carloads and intermodal units, a 4.1% drop from the corresponding week in 2021. That included 206,792 carloads, a 1.1% […]
Type of Train: Freight
Union Pacific says congestion-related embargoes are a tool of last resort
MANALAPAN, Fla. – Union Pacific, which has come under fire for its increased use of embargoes, has not fully shut down service to any customers as it grapples with congestion related to ongoing train crew shortages. “It really is a tool of last resort for us. As a common carrier, we don’t have other mechanisms […]
House passes resolutions to block rail strike, add sick days to agreement
WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives has approved legislation imposing the tentative agreement between railroads and unions, which would block a rail strike that could begin as early as Dec. 9. CNN reports the House passed the measure by a 290-137 vote, with 79 Republicans joining Democrats in voting for the bill, while eight Democrats […]
Athearn Genesis National Steel Car 6400 gondola
Athearn Genesis National Steel Car 6400 gondola Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $64.9; two-pack, $109.99 Era: 2012 to present (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com National Steel Car 6400 gondola features: Multiple body styles, end variations, top chords, and ladder variations Brass stirrup steps Metal […]
House to vote today on legislation to block rail strike (updated)
WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives will vote today (Wednesday, Nov. 30) on legislation to impose a settlement in the labor dispute between railroads and unions, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday. The House will also consider a separate motion to add seven paid sick days to the tentative agreement reached in September between the […]
Ed Harris named as new chief operating officer at CN (revised and updated)
MONTREAL — Ed Harris, the most traveled Class I railroad operations chief, has come full circle. Harris on Monday was named chief operating officer at Canadian National, a job he held from 2005 to 2007. Harris also served as chief operating officer at Canadian Pacific from 2010 to 2011, at CSX Transportation from 2018 to […]
Biden calls on Congress to impose rail labor settlement
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has called on Congress to impose the terms of a tentative agreement between railroads and unions, which would prevent a strike that could come as soon as Dec. 9. Biden said he was calling for legislation to be passed “immediately … to avert a potentially crippling national rail shutdown.” House […]
Business leaders urge Congress to prevent national railroad strike
WASHINGTON — With a Dec. 9 deadline looming, a coalition of more than 400 business groups today urged Congress to prevent a national railroad strike that would cripple the economy. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, along with trade groups representing manufacturers and retailers, said a strike would have major economic impacts as railroads curtail shipments […]
CSX seeks FRA approval to use Trip Optimizer’s automatic start and stop feature
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation is awaiting regulatory approval to become the first railroad to use Trip Optimizer’s Zero-to-Zero function, which allows the advanced cruise control system to automatically start and stop freight trains. The goal, CSX says, is to save fuel as part of the railroad’s effort to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by […]
New British government keeps spending on high speed rail, lets rail reforms slip
The British government, now with its third Prime Minister in 12 weeks, has confirmed it will continue to fund several major rail (and road) investment programs, as well as new nuclear power plants. Opponents of both sets of projects had hoped the high price tag might tempt the government to make immediate spending cuts. New […]
Regulators order Union Pacific to explain increased use of embargoes (updated)
WASHINGTON — Federal regulators have ordered Union Pacific executives to appear at two days of hearings next month regarding the railroad’s increased use of embargoes, which have skyrocketed from 27 in 2017 to 886 as of October this year. “The Board has been closely monitoring UP’s recent use of embargoes and has observed a disturbing […]
Amtrak, freight railroads say they have a deal on Gulf Coast service (updated)
WASHINGTON — The parties involved in the long-running dispute over Amtrak’s effort to launch Gulf Coast passenger service say they have reached an agreement, but at least initially are offering no details on the nature of that deal In a joint statement Tuesday, Amtrak, CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, and the Alabama State Port Authority say […]