Derailed car from BNSF grain train hits crew transport vehicle

Grain hopper and damaged SUV

RED OAK, Iowa — The driver of a crew transport vehicle was injured today (Aug. 8, 2024) when his vehicle was hit by a railcar from a BNSF derailment. The Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency reports that the county communications center received a report of a derailment at 6:05 a.m. Emergency crews that responded found […]

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Lionel Base3 control system unboxing and reveal

man and woman behind counter looking inside of a box

Lionel has released their Base3 control system, and CTT unboxes and tests the product. Editor Rene Schweitzer and Contributing Editor Bob Keller offer some tips and tricks for operation, and demonstrate the Polar Express engine on the CT&T in-house layout. Read a review from Chris Montagna about the Base3. Learn more about this system at control.lionel.com Find […]

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U.S. rail traffic continues gains in July

Low-angle view of orange locomotives with train of containers

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic was up in July compared to the same month in 2023, the sixth straight month of gains in volume, according to statistics from the Association of American Railroads. Traffic for the week ending Aug. 3 was also ahead of the same week a year ago. The monthly figures show U.S. […]

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BNSF completes Belen, N.M., area capacity and fueling project

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway has completed its multiyear project to add track and fueling capacity on the approach to its yard in Belen, N.M., where trains stop to change crews, undergo inspection, and have their locomotives’ fuel tanks topped off. “Belen, New Mexico, is really the heartbeat of our Southern Transcon, accounting for […]

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Norfolk Southern names three top transportation officials

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern Chief Operating Officer John Orr has named three veteran officials to lead the railroad’s transportation team. Tim Livingston, who worked with Orr at Kansas City Southern and Canadian Pacific Kansas City, joins NS as senior vice president of transportation and network operations. Reporting to Livingston will be Rodney Moore, vice president […]

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Carload Considerations: It’s okay to lower freight rates

Norfolk Southern train crossing bridge

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Railroads’ success is often defined by service metrics like car dwell, velocity, or the operating ratio. These measurements are snapshots documenting how long railcars idle or how quickly trains move between points. Better velocity means more profitability. These subjects have been a growing part of the conversation since Precision Scheduled Railroading was […]

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Norfolk Southern names chief technology officer

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern has named Anil Bhatt to lead its technology endeavors. Bhatt will become executive vice president and chief information and digital officer, reporting to CEO Alan Shaw, when he joins the railroad on Aug. 19, NS announced today. “Anil has a successful track record and reputation for working across teams to deploy […]

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