In model railroad snow plow rolling stock round-up, we thought it would be fun to take a look at models of snow fighting equipment available in N, HO, and O scales. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list. Rather, it’s a look at some of the ready-to-run models and a few kits that […]
Railroad: BNSF
Union Pacific, rail labor remain in mediation over ground-based conductor test program (updated)
The union representing conductors has thus far refused to participate in a pilot program Union Pacific wants to run to test the concept of shifting conductors to ground-based positions, The Associated Press reports. But UP remains in mediation with two SMART-TD committees and negotiations are ongoing about the proposed pilot program, railroad spokeswoman Robynn Tysver […]
BNSF announces 2023 capital plan
FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway plans to spend $3.96 billion on capital investments in 2023, the railroad announced Thursday — an increase of more than $400 million from its plan in 2022. “Our capital plan reflects our growth mindset and commitment to having the capacity and equipment we need to support our customers,” Katie […]
BNSF plans in Barstow represent evolution of intermodal supply chain, CEO says
LOMBARD, Ill. — BNSF Railway’s plans for a major new facility in Barstow, Calif., represent the continuing evolution of the railroad’s efforts to improve the intermodal supply chain, says CEO Katie Farmer. The railroad’s plans for the Barstow International Gateway, a $1.5 billion, 4,500-acre terminal in Southern California, builds on the development of earlier Logistics […]
J.B. Hunt says rail service is improving, sees opportunity for growth this year
LOWELL, Ark. – J.B. Hunt executives say rail service is improving on BNSF Railway, CSX Transportation, and Norfolk Southern, which should enable the trucking company to gain additional intermodal volume this year. BNSF is now back to pre-pandemic service levels, Darren Field, president of J.B. Hunt’s intermodal division, said on the company’s quarterly earnings call […]
Big Skies & Iron Rails, Let it Snow
Go ahead. Let it snow. That certainly won’t stop hard-charging, modern freight trains from rolling throughout the majestic backdrop of the Mountain West region. Nor will a few flakes or even a few feet of snow keep railfan Tom Danneman and his cohorts from making their way trackside to capture dramatic, wintertime action. And for […]
Big Skies & Iron Rails, Let it Snow
Go ahead. Let it snow. That certainly won’t stop hard-charging, modern freight trains from rolling throughout the majestic backdrop of the Mountain West region. Nor will a few flakes or even a few feet of snow keep railfan Tom Danneman and his cohorts from making their way trackside to capture dramatic, wintertime action. And for […]
Big Skies & Iron Rails, Let it Snow
Go ahead. Let it snow. That certainly won’t stop hard-charging, modern freight trains from rolling throughout the majestic backdrop of the Mountain West region. Nor will a few flakes or even a few feet of snow keep railfan Tom Danneman and his cohorts from making their way trackside to capture dramatic, wintertime action. And for […]
Rainy weather delays effort to fix rail line to San Diego
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — A series of storms that have brought significant rain to California have slowed efforts to repair an unstable slope along the Surf Line in Orange County, pushing back efforts to restore through rail passenger service between Los Angeles and San Diego while also raising the cost of the repair effort. The […]
Portland day-trip rail experience
Portland day-trip rail experience: In the coastal Pacific Northwest, a Portland day-trip rail experience is easy enough that you can leave your vehicle at your local train station, and not think about automobiles for the rest of the day. With all Amtrak corridor and long-distance trains calling on Portland, Oregon one can usually find a […]
Montana Rail Link says union local can’t upend agreement BLET approved as part of BNSF lease deal
WASHINGTON – Montana Rail Link engineers can’t have their cake and eat it too, the railroad has told federal regulators. Last week the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Division 232, which represents 250 MRL employees in eastern Montana, asked the Surface Transportation Board to continue their benefits at MRL levels if it approves the […]
BNSF, contractors face BIG waiting game
BOCA RATON, Fla. — Craig Rasmussen, BNSF Railway assistant vice president, engineering services and structures, had plenty of big projects to review during his presentation today (Friday, Jan. 6) at the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association Conference. But they all pale in comparison to the BIG project still to come — the Barstow International […]