WASHINGTON – Federal regulators on Thursday approved Canadian Pacific’s request to put Kansas City Southern into a voting trust while their proposed $29 billion merger is under review. Canadian National, which has a dueling $33.7 billion unsolicited offer under review by the KCS board, also has asked the U.S. Surface Transportation Board to consider its […]
Type of Train: Freight
Canadian National plans major upgrade to IC-KCS route to Kansas City
MONTREAL – As part of its proposed acquisition of Kansas City Southern, Canadian National envisions spending $250 million to create an upgraded route linking Kansas City, Mo., with Eastern Canada via Springfield, Ill. The big prize in a CN-KCS merger is connecting Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. But the combined CN-KCS route to Kansas City would […]
Union Pacific takes aim at BNSF with new Southern California intermodal terminal (corrected)
OMAHA, Neb. – The intermodal terminal Union Pacific is set to open in California’s Inland Empire will start small, but railroad officials call it a game changer that could lead to signficant growth. The terminal planned for West Colton yard will have capacity for just 45,000 lifts annually when it opens in a month or […]
Digest: LA Metro releases $8 billion budget for fiscal 2022
LA Metro budget will restore service to pre-pandemic levels LA Metro has released an $8 billion budget for fiscal 2022 including restoration of rail and bus service to pre-pandemic levels and the start of testing for two projects: the 8.5-mile Crenshaw/LAX light rail line, also known as the K line, and the 1.9-mile Regional Connector, […]
Digest: Pioneer Railcorp changes name to Pioneer Lines
Short line company Pioneer Railcorp becomes Pioneer Lines Holding company Pioneer Railcorp, which operates 15 railroads in 12 states as well as related services such as transloading and storage, has changed its name to Pioneer Lines. The change comes as the company marks 35 years in business, and two years after it was acquired by […]
April rail traffic stats show continued strength
WASHINGTON — U.S. railroads saw major traffic increases in April 2021 over the same month a year earlier, reflecting the traffic recovery from the economic slump triggered by COVID-19 related shutdowns in 2020. Traffic for the most recent week remained on pace with recent showings. Figures from the Association of American Railroads show overall U.S. […]
Flexi-Van innovation
Flexi-Van innovation With highway-wheel bogies in place, New York Central’s Flexi-Van pioneering containers looked like standard truck trailers. Flexi-Van containers had lights, unlike standard shipping containers. New York Central photo […]
Union Pacific says autonomous trains are the answer to driverless trucks
OMAHA, Neb. — How can railroads compete with autonomous or electric trucks that would dramatically reduce the cost of trucking? “Ultimately, our answer to autonomous trucks is autonomous trains,” Union Pacific CEO Lance Fritz says. A first step toward automation is reducing crew size where feasible, Fritz said during the railroad’s investor day Tuesday. UP […]
Digest: South Shore Line Double Track construction bids are higher than expected
South Shore faces decision after receiving higher-than-expected bids for Double Track project Bids for construction of the South Shore Line’s Double Track project came in higher than expected, leaving the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District to decide whether to accept the lowest bid or reject both offers in an attempt to achieve a lower price. […]
Digest: NTSB issues preliminary report on BNSF fatality in Missouri
NTSB indicates safety at industrial facilities will be part of investigation of BNSF fatality The National Transportation Safety Board has indicated it will look into safety factors for rail workers at industrial facilities, as well as investigating the cause, after issuing its preliminary report into the fatality of a BNSF Railway crew member at a […]
F unit parade
F unit parade Two Great Northern paint schemes are on display as GN Extra 312-A passes Extra 311-C, waiting in the siding at Floodwood, Minn., on Aug. 16, 1969. Doug Wingfield photo […]
Union Pacific sees volume growth over next three years
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific is primed for volume growth due to service and cost improvements, a new approach to sales and marketing, and the ongoing rollout of new technology that makes it easier for customers to do business with the railroad. UP executives outlined their growth plans for the next three years during a […]