NEW YORK — Wabtec is on a mission to help railroads wean themselves off the diesel-electric locomotive to reduce and ultimately eliminate greenhouse gas emissions. “We are absolutely taking a moonshot at zero emissions,” Gina Trombley, Wabtec’s executive vice president of sales and marketing and chief commercial officer, told the RailTrends 2021 conference this month. […]
Train Topic: Railroad Operations
Amtrak limits ‘Track Friday’ sale; service reductions possible in January as unions file suit
WASHINGTON — In a departure from the post-Thanksgiving “Track Friday” sale that Amtrak has staged since 2016, this year’s version is only available from Maine to Virginia in the Northeast instead of on most routes nationwide. Through today (Monday, Nov. 29) the company is offering “Buy One, Get One Free” companion fares between Jan. 4 […]
Two hurt in Norfolk Southern derailment in Georgia (updated)
HIRAM, Ga. — Two crew members suffered minor injuries Saturday night as three locomotives and at least seven cars of a Norfolk Southern train derailed late Saturday night. The lead locomotive and seven cars overturned, while the other two locomotives remained upright. WSB-TV reports the railroad said in a statement that the crew members “have […]
Groundbreaking set for Baltimore tunnel project
BALTIMORE — CSX CEO Jim Foote and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan head the list of those those scheduled to take part today (Monday, Nov. 29) in a groundbreaking ceremony for the start of work on the long-sought Howard Street Tunnel project in Baltimore. The 1 p.m. ceremony will be at the former Mount Royal Station […]
Canadian publication names CP’s Creel as CEO of the year
CALGARY — Canadian Pacific’s Keith Creel has been named 2021 CEO of the Year by Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail’s Report of Business Magazine. A profile in the magazine focuses on the 53-year-old Creel’s skill as a strategist in efforts to merge CP with Kansas City Southern. The magazine recognized other CEOs for leadership, […]
Analysis: China’s ban on Australian coal is benefiting U.S. railroads
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Railroads are benefiting from China’s continued appetite for U.S. coal as America exports coal to China in volumes unseen in much of the past decade. American coal producers are supplying China for electricity generation and steelmaking due to a now year-long unofficial ban China imposed on Australia. In late 2020, China quit […]
Orders at Clare
Orders at Clare At the joint Chesapeake & Ohio-Ann Arbor depot in Clare, Mich., the engineer on Toledo–Frankfort freight TF-1, behind two GP35s, reaches to pick up orders in May 1966. John S. Ingles photo, Brian Schmidt collection […]
Federal regulators ask Norfolk Southern to respond to shipper complaints
WASHINGTON – Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin J. Oberman today asked Norfolk Southern CEO Jim Squires to explain the railroad’s deteriorating performance metrics and rising number of shipper complaints. “I am requesting that you provide the Board with a review of the current state of NSR’s network, and your assessment of what factors are affecting NSR’s […]
CP line in British Columbia expected to reopen today
CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific says it expects to have its main line between Vancouver and Kamloops, British Columbia, reopened by midday today as a result of more than a week of around-the-clock work to repair damage from Nov. 14 flooding. The railroad says 30 locations on its Thompson and Cascade subdivisions sustained flood damage […]
Train crew shortage spreads to short lines
NEW YORK — Train crew shortages that have affected service on Class I railroads this year also have cropped up on short lines, as rail workers seek greener pastures and new hires are hard to find. Genesee & Wyoming, the largest shortline holding company, saw the number of employees leaving the railroad double in the third […]
DC Metrorail service reductions to extend through remainder of 2021
WASHINGTON — The DC Metrorail system will continue to operate at reduced levels for the rest of 2021 as the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority works to return its newest railcars to service. The Washington Post reports Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld said Monday that the decision to maintain service at the current level, […]
Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific spar over KCS merger (updated)
WASHINGTON — Union Pacific has urged federal regulators to reject the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger application, arguing that it doesn’t contain enough market or operational data to meet requirements — a view subsequently supported by Canadian National. UP, in a filing with the Surface Transportation Board late Friday, said CP took shortcuts in its […]