Railroads have begun preparations to secure what they call “hazardous and security-sensitive materials” to make sure no such cargo is left on a train left unattended or unsecured in the event of a work stoppage, the Association of American Railroads, Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific, and BNSF Railway all said in news releases or messages to […]
Train Topic: Railroad Operations
UP expects Iowa line closed by derailment to reopen this weekend
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 […]
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 […]
Storm damage leads to weekend cancellations for Western Maryland Scenic
CUMBERLAND, Md. — Western Maryland Scenic Railroad excursions have been cancelled through Sept. 11 because of track damage caused by recent heavy rains, the Cumberland Times-News reports. Damage was confined to about 250 feet of track near the railroad’s shop and yard in Ridgeley, W.Va., on the West Virginia side of the North Branch Potomac […]
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 […]
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 […]
Buses to replace trains on Metro-North’s Port Jervis Line beginning Sept. 11
NEW YORK — Buses will substitute for commuter trains on the Metro-North Port Jervis line beginning Sunday, Sept. 11, at 4 a.m., allowing trackwork including replacement of 10,000 crossties and three switches, as well as track welding work. The bus substitutions will continue for more than two months, through Nov. 13. Buses will operate to […]
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. […]
Visiting Rapido – Bus and Train Tour
Visiting Rapido – Bus and Train Tour | When David Popp and Ben Lake recently traveled north of the Canadian Border to explore all that’s new with Jason Shron, President of Rapido Trains Inc., they were treated to a special sidetrack trip. On their way to see what new N and HO scale models Rapido […]
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 […]
CP reaches agreement with another Iowa town on funding to address merger impacts
LeCLAIRE, Iowa — Another eastern Iowa community has approved an agreement with Canadian Pacific over the railroad’s planned merger with Kansas City Southern, while a city which rejected an earlier offer is now on record opposing the merger. KWQC-TV reports that LeClaire, Iowa, will receive $750,000 to address impacts of the merger under an agreement […]
Waste shippers complain about CSX service in the Northeast
WASHINGTON — Waste shippers have complained to federal regulators regarding deteriorating service on CSX Transportation in the Northeast. The National Waste & Recycling Association, a trade group representing 70% of the private sector’s waste and recycling market, told the Surface Transportation Board that its members prefer to reach commercial solutions with their rail carriers. “However, […]