Just shy of two years after the CPKC merger, the Class I railroad has purchased its first “new” locomotives. The eight General Electric ET44ACs were originally an order for Baffinland Iron Mines located on Baffin Island in Canada. The new-build mine project to haul iron ore to seaport via rail has been delayed many times, […]
Train Topic: Railroad Operations
DC Metrorail gets approval to restore automated operation
WASHINGTON — The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has received approval to resume use of its automated operating system on one Metrorail line — possibly as soon as Sunday — in a precursor to restoring Automatic Train Operation systemwide in 2025. The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission approved restoration of automated operation on Metro’s Red Line […]
G&W short line to take over local service from Union Pacific in Eugene, Ore.
Genesee & Wyoming short line Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad will take over local service from Union Pacific’s Eugene Yard in Oregon, in a move the railroads said will improve service for local customers. The change allows UP to reduce the number of times a railcar is handled and create greater efficiencies, while providing more […]
Alstom to become contract operator for LA’s Metrolink
LOS ANGELES — Alstom will become contract operator of Metrolink commuter rail operations, expanding on the company’s current maintenance role and replacing Amtrak, which has provided Metrolink’s crews since 2010. The initial five-year contract, valued at approximately $515 million, begins Jan. 1, with Alstom taking over operations on July 1, 2025. It will run through […]
BNSF sets new container volume record at Southern California ports
FORT WORTH, Texas — Over the weekend BNSF Railway set a new annual on-dock container record at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif., when it surpassed 1.5 million lifts for the year. “Last week, we surpassed the previous annual record of 1,480,727 lifts, set back in 2017,” BNSF said on social media […]
Nigerian commuter operation using orphaned Wisconsin equipment is halted
LAGOS, Nigeria — The commuter rail service in Lagos using Talgo trainsets built for but never used by the state of Wisconsin has been suspended indefinitely because of mechanical issues, the Nigerian newspaper The Nation reports. The trains experienced breakdowns last Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 2-3, the newspaper reports, after which the operator posted a […]
Travel: The art of changing trains
Rail travel often involves changing trains. I’ve always delighted in the transition from one train to another. These can be great moments to observe the railroad in action, make photos, and perhaps chat with railroaders and fellow passengers. I’ve sometimes planned changes to include a short layover. For many travelers changing trains represents unwanted stress […]
Driver injured as concrete falls from Amtrak bridge in Baltimore (updated)
BALTIMORE — The driver of an SUV was injured when the vehicle was hit by falling concrete from an Amtrak bridge today (Sunday, Dec. 8), WBAL-TV reports. First responders were called about 11:28 a.m. about the incident that saw debris fall from a bridge over North Point Road. Police said the driver — the only […]
News photos: Sierra Northern runs two Santa trains
SANTA PAULA, Calif. — Sierra Northern Railway, partnering with nonprofit Operation Toy Train, ran a pair of Santa trains Saturday, Dec. 7, on its Ventura Division between Ventura and Piru, about 30 miles. The first train, consisting of Genset locomotive No. 2666, an open-air car, and heavyweight business car No. 409, left Ventura at 10:30 […]
Union Pacific trains collide in Texas, derailing 12 cars (updated)
BAYTOWN, Texas — Approximately 12 cars derailed after one Union Pacific train rear-ended another on Friday night, sending two cars into a canal that feeds Houston’s water supply, KTRK-TV reports. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office reported the incident about 8 p.m. on social media, and said no injuries were reported and no hazardous materials were […]
Railroad bargaining group announces deal with dispatchers’ union
ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Carriers Conference Committee, the negotiating arm of the organization representing Class I railroads in labor matters, has reached a tentative agreement for a new contract with the American Train Dispatchers Association. It is the fifth such agreement reached by the national group since the latest round of national bargaining, building […]
CSX rock train derails in South Carolina
GARNETT, S.C. — Cleanup continues after 14 cars of a CSX Transportation train derailed Wednesday night, Dec. 4, in Garnett, the newspaper Bluffton Today reports. The railroad said in a statement that loaded rock hopper cars were involved, and that no injuries reported and there was no threat to the environment or surrounding community. U.S. […]