OMAHA — Union Pacific says it expects to complete bridge repairs this weekend on the Iowa line which has been closed since a Monday derailment that sent asphalt into a creek near Hampton, Iowa. “Key bridge materials” are expected onsite today (Friday, Sept. 9), the railroad informed customers in a Thursday advisory, allowing the line […]
Type of Train: Freight
News report: UP workers killed in collision were ejected from train
MECCA, Calif. — The two Union Pacific crew members killed in a Thursday collision with railcars parked on a siding were ejected from their train by the impact, the Los Angeles Times reports. The accident occurred about 3 a.m. Thursday east of the community of Mecca [see “Two UP crew members killed …,” Trains News […]
AAR report says rail shutdown would cost $2 billion a day (second update)
WASHINGTON — A report released today (Thursday, Sept. 8) by the railroads’ trade group, the Association of American Railroads, says a nationwide interruption of rail service could cost more than $2 billion per day. The AAR says the report is based on historical Federal Railroad Administration data — specifically updating a 1992 study to quantify […]
Two UP crew members killed in collision with equipment on siding
MECCA, Calif. — Two Union Pacific crew members were killed early Thursday morning when a train collided with equipment on a siding near the unincorporated Coachella Valley community of Mecca, KESQ-TV reports. The accident occurred about 3 a.m. near Bombay Beach on the north shore of the Salton Sea, UP spokesman Mike Jaixen told the […]
Babcock named as Livonia, Avon & Lakeville CEO
LAKEVILLE, N.Y. — Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroads, which operates three lines in western New York and Pennsylvania, has named Robert Babcock as its president and CEO, effective Sept. 26, 2022. Babcock was most recently general manager, vice president, and senior vice president at the Indiana Rail Road, where he was responsible for train operations, […]
HO and N scale PS-2 2,600-cubic-foot capacity covered hopper
PS-2 2,600-cubic-foot capacity covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) and N (1:160) Price: HO, $51.99; N, $36.99 Era: 1965 to present (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com PS-2 2,600-cubic-foot-capacity covered hopper features: Flush or overhanging roof as appropriate Etched metal crossover platforms (HO) and running boards (HO and N) […]
News report: Labor secretary joins rail negotiation session at National Mediation Board
WASHINGTON — In an effort to avert a potential national rail strike, U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh was part of a Wednesday session at the National Mediation Board involving the organization representing railroads in national contract negotiations, as well as eight unions that have not yet reached tentative contract agreements, Politico reports. Negotiators from the […]
News photos: Guelph Junction Railway lands new customer
The city-owned Guelph Junction Railway has added a new customer, Flash Freight Systems, constructing a siding on the city’s north end near Woodlawn Avenue and Edinburgh Road. Flash Freight, headquartered 8 miles north of Guelph in Ariss, Ontario, will be using the siding to transload cement, potato flakes, peas, and lumber. The siding was constructed […]
U.S. rail traffic up slightly in August, ending five months of declines
WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic in August inched above the level for the same month in 2021, the first time volume has been in positive territory since February, when statistics were skewed by weather problems the previous year. August totals saw carloads up 2.3% and intermodal units down 1.2% for a total increase of 0.4%, […]
House subcommittees schedule joint hearing on rail service and agriculture
WASHINGTON — Subcommittees of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Committee on Agriculture will hold a joint hearing, “Rail Service Challenges and the Impact on Agriculture,” on Sept. 15. The hearing will be held by the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials and the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture. […]
CSX, NS, and UP executives tout gradual service improvements as crew hiring continues
The chief executives of CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific say their railroads are on the mend as more newly hired conductors enter active duty, operations are slowly improving, and freight demand remains strong. All three railroads are trying to hire conductors as quickly as possible to help ease crew shortages that have gummed […]
Accurail HO scale freight car kit announcements
Accurail HO scale freight car kit announcements Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: See individual cars below Era: Varies depending on car type Manufacturer: Accurail, P.O. Box 278, Elburn, IL 60119; 630-365-1173; accurail.com Features: Injection-molded plastic construction Plastic wheelsets Solid-or roller-bearing trucks as appropriate Steel weight(s) Screws for trucks and draft-gear box covers Accumate couplers with modeler-installed […]