Weekly U.S. rail traffic remains down

Weekly table showing U.S. carload rail traffic by commodity type, plus total intermodal volume

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic remains down against 2022 figures according to Association of American Railroad Statistics, with traffic for the week ending April 22 showing a 3.5% decline compared to the same week a year ago. U.S. railroads handled 483,457 carloads and intermodal units for the week, including 240,584 carloads, up 5.1%, and 239,874 […]

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New CPKC Chicago-Mexico intermodal service to debut May 11

Red locomotive with single intermodal car

CALGARY, Alberta — CPKC’s first new service — a pair of intermodal trains linking Chicago and Mexico — will launch on May 11, carrying containers from new customers Schneider and Knight-Swift. Daily hotshots 180 and 181 will link Chicago with Laredo, Texas; Monterrey, Mexico; and Mexico City. With third-day service to Laredo, fourth-day to Monterrey, […]

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Menards Rocket Launching Tower blasts off

Menards Rocket Launching Tower side view

The Menards Rocket Launching Tower is out and I have to say, it’s a lot of fun. Commencing countdown, engines on.” The words from the David Bowie song Space Oddity got stuck in my head when I saw this accessory.  It harkens back to late 1960s Lionel when the race was on to put satellites […]

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Do people wreck train photos?

Do people wreck train photos? A common situation that really irritates a lot of rail photographers is when people get in the way of their picture taking. If you are attempting the perfect “roster shot,” I suppose that could be an irritant. But having railroad employees, passengers, and other fans in your photos should be […]

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Norfolk Southern earnings take hit from East Palestine, Ohio, derailment

Train of hopper cars led by black locomotive approaches curve in mountains

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern’s first quarter earnings tumbled due to expenses related to the disastrous Feb. 3 derailment and subsequent hazardous materials release in East Palestine, Ohio. The railroad’s operating income declined 34%, to $711 million, due in part to an initial $387 million charge associated with the derailment, the railroad reported today. NS CEO […]

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Collector to make landmark donation of railroad art

Man standing in front of painting of worker with red locomotive driving wheel

MADISON, Wis. — A longtime collector of worldwide railroad art has announced the donation of 250 pieces amassed over the last 40 years to the Center for Railroad Photography & Art. Peter Mosse, a CRP&A board member since 2016, and his wife Christine offered the collection to the center, which announced its acceptance at its […]

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Forbes names Amtrak as a top employer for diversity

Amtrak logo.

WASHINGTON — Amtrak has been named one of America’s Best Employers for Diversity in 2023 according to Forbes, which released its list ranking the top 500 companies on Tuesday. The rail passenger operator placed 341st, eighth among transportation and logistics firms. New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority was the only other rail-related organization to make the […]

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ENSCO to acquire inspection technology firm KLD Labs

Logo for technology firm KLD Labs

SPRINGFIELD, Va. — ENSCO Inc. will expand its railway inspection business with acquisition of KLD Labs Inc., a provider of automated wayside inspection technology and laser profiling products. ENSCO announced Tuesday it had entered into an equity purchase agreement to acquire KLD, which offers track inspection and assessment, fleet inspection and assessment, and asset management […]

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