No. 231, one of Missabe’s famous 2-8-8-4s, passes two brand-new successor SD9s at Proctor Yard in May 1959. Marvin Nielsen History of the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range From 1938 until it was purchased by Canadian National in 2004, the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railway was “King of the Iron-Ore Haulers.” Its job was […]
Type of Train: Freight
Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern deal gains early support
CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern have rounded up broad support for their proposed merger, which would create the first railroad to operate in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The railways announced yesterday that they have received support statements from 259 shippers, other railroads, economic development authorities, and ports. Shipper sentiment will […]
Digest: Progress Rail ends manufacturing at La Grange, Ill., plant
Progress Rail closes La Grange engine plant Progress Rail has closed its La Grange, Ill., engine facility, ending manufacturing at a site that had been part of locomotive production since EMD broke ground for its main plant there in 1935. Progress, which announced plans to close the plant in 2018, said it anticipated the transition […]
Biden infrastructure plan may hasten decline of coal
The Biden administration’s proposal to eliminate carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2035, if approved by Congress, would add to railroads’ coal traffic blues. President Joe Biden on Wednesday unveiled his $2 trillion infrastructure plan, which includes the proposal to wean electricity producers from fossil fuels as a way to fight climate change. About 92% […]
Digest: MTA completes work on last of Sandy-damaged subway tunnels
Work on F line tunnel completed, ending Superstorm Sandy repairs The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has completed reapirs on the F line subway tunnel under the East River, concluding work on all 11 MTA under-river tunnels that were damaged by the floodwaters of Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Janno Lieber, president of MTA Construction & Development, said […]
Weekly rail stats show stable traffic
WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 27 again shows significant increases over same-week levels a year earlier, although the numbers are inflated because 2020 figures were driven lower by the pandemic-related downturn in the economy. The latest stats from the Association of American Railroads show 232,561 carloads for the week, a […]
Largest short line operator offers support of proposed CP-KCS merger
WASHINGTON — Canadian Pacific’s proposed acquisition of Kansas City Southern has picked up its first support from another railroad company. Shortline railroad operator Genesee & Wyoming has told the U.S. Surface Transportation Board that it backs the merger of the smallest Class I systems. “From our perspective, the proposed transaction should provide improved service options […]
Rail groups’ reaction to Biden infrastructure plan is mostly positive
WASHINGTON — Rail and transit groups are offering mostly positive reaction to the transportation aspects of the $2 trillion infrastructure, climate, and jobs plan announced Wednesday by President Joe Biden, with only the Association of American Railroads qualifying its support. The proposal dubbed the American Jobs Plan would devote $621 billion to transportation infrastructure, a […]
Rail and transportation officials sign agreement for Virginia passenger plan
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Virginia has finalized agreements with CSX Transportation, Amtrak, and Virginia Railway Express on the $3.7 billion partnership that will improve passenger, commuter, and freight railroad service in the state. “We are celebrating good news: An expansion of rail service that will reduce congestion, boost the economy, and make life better for people […]
Watco purchases lines in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ontario from CN (updated)
MONTREAL — Watco will buy 650 miles of branch lines in Wisconsin and Michigan from Canadian National, along with 250 miles of the company’s Soo Subdivision in Ontario, the companies announced today. In Ontario, where it acquires the line between Sault Ste. Marie and Oba, Ont., Watco will provide freight operations and continue the […]
Cresting Tennessee Pass
Rio Grande’s California Fast Freight departs Tennessee Pass station, crest of the Continental Divide, in April 1938. Big 2-8-8-2 3606 will keep the train in check on the 3 percent grade down to Minturn, Colo. H. Kindig […]
Digest: CSX train derails in Nashville
No injuries reported as CSX train derails in Nashville Sixteen cars of a CSX Transportation train derailed early this morning in Nashville, Tenn., leading to a brief shelter-in-place order from authorities until it was determined there was no hazardous-material threat. A statement from CSX reports the derailment occurred about 3:07 a.m. CDT near West Due […]