JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation’s profits and revenue fell during the first quarter as merchandise and coal traffic declines offset strong intermodal growth. But executives remained optimistic about overall traffic growth this year as the economy continues to recover from the pandemic. “We entered the year projecting volume growth in excess of GDP and still expect […]
Train Topic: Railroad Operations
Digest: Capitol Corridor memo expresses concern about Oakland ballpark plan
Oakland ballpark plan creates grade crossing issues, memo says The head of the agency operating California’s Capitol Corridor Amtrak service has voiced concerns about grade-crossing issues new a proposed new ballpark for the Oakland Athletics. The Waterfront District Ballpark adjacent to Jack London Square will require stadium visitors to cross a busy Union Pacific line […]
Canadian Pacific calls CN’s bid for KCS ‘inferior’ and ‘likely to fail’
CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific says Canadian National’s competing bid for Kansas City Southern would reduce competition, raise significant regulatory concerns, and upset competitive balance in the North American rail network. CN’s unsolicited $33.7 billion offer, announced Tuesday morning, tops the $29 billion deal CP reached last month to acquire KCS. The KCS board says […]
‘Amtrak Cascades’ to add two round trips on May 24
SEATTLE – After months of periodic sellouts at the 50% capacity limit on a single Seattle-Eugene, Ore., round trip — the only daily Cascades corridor service for more than a year — the Washington and Oregon Departments of Transportation plan to add two additional round trips on May 24. But because Talgo, Amtrak, and the […]
Long Island Rail Road announces plan to test battery-electric equipment
OYSTER BAY, N.Y. — The Long Island Rail Road will test the use of battery-electric railcars on its Oyster Bay Branch, the first step in a process that could lead to the end of diesel-powered trains on the commuter railroad. LIRR President Phillip Eng announced the plan at a Monday press conference, saying the commuter […]
Kickbacks
Kickbacks Cars of coal are unloaded dockside by the Chesapeake & Ohio at this massive facility in Newport News, Va. Once unloaded, cars roll out of the dumper toward the camera, up a steep kickback track, and reverse direction down to the empties yard. Later they’ll head west for another load. Photo by W. A. […]
Railroads take steps to ease intermodal congestion
Pockets of congestion and overall high volumes are slowing most railroads’ intermodal networks, prompting BNSF Railway, Union Pacific, and Norfolk Southern to take steps to manage capacity. BNSF, the largest intermodal carrier, announced several changes designed to ease congestion at key terminals beginning next week. BNSF will implement day-of-week in-gate windows at its Hobart terminal […]
CSX in and around Cumberland, Md.
A busy CSX main line, the former Baltimore & Ohio continues its mountain railroad ways […]
CSX in and around Cumberland, Md.
A busy CSX main line, the former Baltimore & Ohio continues its mountain railroad ways […]
Monticello Railway Museum debuts RS1325 at Throttle Time event (video)
MONTICELLO, Ill. — Illinois & Midland RS1325 No. 31 made its operating debut at the Monticello Railway Museum during this past weekend’s sold-out Throttle Time event, pulling a vintage freight train while run by “student engineers” who purchased a ticket for the opportunity to run the rare locomotive. The museum acquired the RS1325, one of […]
Digest: VIA operations continue despite new provincial travel restrictions
VIA says operations will continue despite new travel restrictions While new restrictions on travel in and out of the provinces of Ontario and Quebec begin today, VIA Rail Canada says in a notice on its website that it will “continue all scheduled services,” adding, “Passengers are responsible to comply with provincial restrictions.” The CBC reports […]
Weather and pandemic dent Kansas City Southern earnings
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern’s first-quarter earnings dipped as volume fell because of harsh winter weather and the ongoing computer chip shortage that has curbed auto production in Mexico. KCS reported today that its operating income declined 12%, to $253 million, as revenue decreased 4%, to $706 million. Earnings per share, adjusted for […]