Railroads wait to see impact of rule approving LNG moves

a line of tank cars

Railroads have gained regulatory approval to haul liquified natural gas in tank cars. Now the questions are how quickly will an LNG market develop and how big will it be? Controversial new federal regulations governing the movement of LNG by rail are scheduled to go into effect next month. Previously LNG shipments required special permits […]

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Unintended clearance test

Modified for trailer-on-flatcar service as a test by Penn Central, a former Flexi-Van car carried trailers back-to-back.

  At the time of their merger in 1968, both the Pennsylvania and New York Central had extensive intermodal operations, with PRR using conventional Trailer Train cars in piggyback service and NYC using Flexi-Van equipment in an early form of containerized traffic. Penn Central retained both systems initially, but Flexi-Van traffic gradually declined. By late […]

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DOT releases final rule for transport of LNG by rail (updated)

The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued its final rule for transportation of liquefied natural gas by rail, a controversial and highly politicized new rule which will take effect 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register. The rule, developed by the DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration in consultation with the Federal […]

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Labor intensive

20200602

Labor intensive Hundred-pound sacks of flour are stacked in a single-sheathed Rock Island boxcar at Minneapolis in 1939. The paper lining helps protect the bags. John Vachon, Library of Congress photo […]

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Environment group files opposition to Utah rail project

Surface Transportation Board logo

Thursday morning rail news in brief: Group tells STB of opposition to Uinta Basion rail project An environmental group has filed its objection to Utah’s proposed Uinta Basin Railway with the Surface Transportation Board. The letter from Chicago attorney Thomas McFarland, representing the Argyle Wilderness Preservation Alliance, asks that the STB provide at least 45 […]

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CN sees growth tied to intermodal, consumers

MONTREAL — Canadian National will be ready to take advantage of economic changes that have been accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic, CEO JJ Ruest told an investor conference today. Ruest paraphrased hockey great Wayne Gretzky, saying that CN wants to head where the puck will be rather than where the puck is today. And that […]

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Florida East Coast brings rocket boosters to NASA

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — For the first time in 10 years, Florida East Coast Railway has handled a train of NASA rocket boosters bound for Kennedy Space Center. Friday’s move of FEC’s “NASA-12” extra brought the Northrop Grumman solid rocket boosters for the Space Launch System Artemis 1, the first of an estimated nine such […]

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Trailer On Train Express

Trailer On Train Express

Louisville & Nashville converted these 43-foot flatcars for trailer-on-flatcar service in 1955 by adding rub rails and jack connections. L&N marketed its service as “TOTE,” Trailer On Train Express.The trailers are an exterior-post, 32-foot type. Louisville & Nashville photo […]

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McCloud might

McCloud might

A McCloud River Railroad freight rolls thought Bartle, Calif., in July 1983. Lead unit No. 39 is the road’s sole SD38-2 while trailing unit 38 is the highest numbered of three SD38s. The logging and lumber road operated Baldwin diesels into the late 1960s. Jim Shaw photo […]

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Alberta proposes Calgary-Banff rail service

Blue flag with centered crest showing mountains and wheat

More Wednesday morning rail news in brief: Alberta will study feasibility of Calgary-Banff rail line The government of Alberta announced Tuesday that it will study the feasibility of creating rail service between Calgary and the Rocky Mountain community of Banff, a project which would boost the area’s tourism industry. Global News reports the provincial government […]

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Class I officials say traffic shows early signs of recovery

Railroad volumes are beginning to show signs of early recovery after the sharp downturn that accompanied the coronavirus pandemic, executives from four Class I railroads told an investor conference on Tuesday. Officials from Canadian National, CSX Transportation, Kansas City Southern, and Union Pacific all said the resumption of North American auto production and its impact […]

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