Trade associations, shippers, and rail labor will participate in STB hearings on UP’s use of embargoes (updated)

WASHINGTON — Trade groups representing chemical manufacturers, mining companies, energy producers, and agricultural interests, plus several individual shippers, and railroad labor unions all plan to participate in next week’s Surface Transportation Board hearing on Union Pacific’s increased use of embargoes as a way to manage congestion. Trade groups including the American Chemistry Council, The Fertilizer […]

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The Lionel Legacy ES44AC is back

Lionel Legacy ES44AC on layout

The Lionel Legacy ES44AC has returned quickly the train-maker’s catalog with new road names. It seems that when tooling sells well, we’ll certainly see it again sooner rather than later. Judging by the model’s re-issue for 2022 after being last offered 2019, it can be assumed that they are popular with collectors of modern motive […]

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Trains Trackside Trailer

Follow Trains.com videographer Kevin Gilliam as he explores U.S. railroading action from a trackside perspective. And when the opportunity arises, you’ll also find other notable contributors capturing footage of contemporary railroad operations – everything from steam-powered tourist train to Class I heavy haulers to Amtrak Northeast Corridor high speed Acela sets. Of course, you’ll never know […]

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Historic Union Pacific equipment arrives in Illinois (with video)

Diesel and two steam locomotives in large shop building

SILVIS, Ill. — Union Pacific’s hospital train of historic equipment from Cheyenne, Wyo. arrived at the Silvis shops of Railroading Heritage of Midwest America late on the afternoon of Saturday, Nov. 19, just ahead of planned ceremonies to mark donation of the locomotives and other rolling stock. The equipment, including 4-6-6-4 Challenger No. 3985, 2-10-2 No. […]

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Union Pacific “hospital” train detoured onto Iowa Interstate

gray steam locomotive

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The “hospital” train ferrying historic Union Pacific steam locomotives and other equipment to Silvis, Ill. was detoured onto the Iowa Interstate Railroad at Council Bluffs this morning. The train has been making a slow move across the UP main line since departing Cheyenne, Wyo. on Nov. 11. The slow speed of […]

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The four things railroads must do to win the battle with trucks

Freight cars near sunset

NEW YORK — Railroads will not regain market share lost to trucks unless they shift to traffic growth mode, transform their operations, and provide service that’s far more reliable than ever. That’s the view of Oliver Wyman partner Adriene Bailey, who this week outlined four big steps railroads must take in order to deliver the […]

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Union Pacific asks customers to meter traffic or face embargoes

Train passing under signal bridge

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific once again will meter traffic to limit congestion if certain customers don’t voluntarily reduce the number of private freight cars operating on the railroad. UP informed shippers last week, Trains News Wire has learned. “Union Pacific regularly reviews our network to monitor for elevated inventory,” UP spokeswoman Robynn Tysver says. […]

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