YAZOO CITY, Miss. — Two rail-related projects are among three Mississippi awards under the RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) grant program announced by U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith. In all, three projects in the state will receive a total of $15.4 million in funding. Yazoo City will receive $12.6 million […]
Type of Train: Freight
North American Car Corp. 50-foot boxcar from Athearn
North American Car Corp. 50-foot boxcar Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: $37.99 Era: Mid-1960s through 1970s+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Features: Metal grab irons and etched-metal crossover platforms Pullman-Standard or Superior plug doors Pullman-Standard or Stanray (Superior) roof as appropriate 70-ton trucks 33” machined […]
FMC 5077 centered double-door boxcar from Athearn
FMC 5077 centered double-door boxcar Scale: HO (1:87:1) Price: $39.99 Era: Late 1970s+ to 1990s+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Features: Separate, factory-applied grab irons, end ladders, and brake wheel Photo-etched metal crossover platform 33” machined metal wheels with RP-25 contours Body mounted McHenry […]
Texas port receives funds for multimodal project
PORT ARTHUR, Texas — The Port of Port Arthur has received a $13.6 million grant to turn an inactive rail yard into a new multimodal freight facility. The Port Arthur News reports the funds from the federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program will covert 25.5 acres of the rail yard into […]
Magor 4948 “Big John” covered hoppers from ExactRail
Magor 4948 “Big John” covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $59.99 Era: 1960s to 1990s (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: ExactRail, 525 E. 1860 S., Provo, UT 84606; 866-945-1701; exactrail.com Features: Wire coupler uncoupling levers, grab irons, brake rods, and level hangers Narrow-style draft box featuring key detail, shank wedges, striker castings, and nut and […]
Mining, rail capacity keeps supply tight as world shows new demand for coal: Analysis
CHICAGO — Recent circumstances have shown that coal still plays an important part in worldwide energy, enticing coal producers to try and beef up production. But experts say the U.S. coal industry cut capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that capacity isn’t likely to come back. The U.S. stepped up as a swing supplier of […]
Deadline for Lac-Mégantic land negotiations pushed back again
LAC-MÉGANTIC, Quebec — The negotiation period to purchase land for the planned Lac-Mégantic rail bypass has been extended a second time, allowing public consultation on hydrology of the route. Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said the negotiation period between landowners and Public Services and Procurement Canada will run through Nov. 4, following the consultation on hydrology […]
North American Car Corp. 50-foot boxcar from Athearn
North American Car Corp. 50-foot boxcar Scale: N (1:160) Price: $31.99 Era: Mid-1960s through 1970s+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com North American Car Corp. 50-foot boxcar features: Etched metal stirrup steps Detailed, molded underframe Pullman-Standard or Superior plug doors Pullman-Standard or Stanray (Superior) roof […]
Patriot Rail to acquire Pioneer Lines, creating company with 31 short lines
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Short line operator and rail services company Patriot Rail will acquire rail holding company Pioneer Lines, nearly doubling Patriot Rail’s operations to 31 railroads. Patriot Rail, which currently operates 16 railroads freight railroads in 14 states, will add 15 in 12 states, expanding into Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, […]
BNSF revenue and profits rise despite volume decline
OMAHA, Neb. — BNSF Railway’s revenue and profits rose in the second quarter despite volume being down nearly 6%, Berkshire Hathaway, the railroad’s parent company, reported on Saturday. The railroad’s operating income rose 7%, to $2.37 billion, as revenue grew 15%, to $6.45 billion. Earnings improved, Berkshire said, as revenue per carload and intermodal unit […]
Washington counties frustrated by BNSF trash-train service
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — Counties in Washington state that rely on BNSF Railway trains to remove garbage have asked for congressional help in dealing with unreliable service from the railroad. The website GoSkagit.com reports that Skagit County Public Works Director Grace Kane says the county’s trash transfer station was last closed on July 11 because […]
STB draft review finds little environmental impact from Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger
WASHINGTON — The Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger would cause few if any adverse environmental impacts aside from increased train noise in some locations, the Surface Transportation Board said in a draft environmental analysis released on Friday. The 357-page draft EIS also said the merger would have little effect on rail safety or emergency response […]
