Class One Motive Power–an overview

Class One Motive Power Review Chapter 1

Kansas City Southern hasn’t purchased new locomotives since 2014 as the company has had ample power for its traffic levels with coal deliveries down across its core north-south mainline south of Kansas City. The railroad continues to upgrade its existing power, converting six (confirm) GP38-2s and GP40-2s to GP32ECOs using kits supplied from EMD. KCS […]

Read More…

Onboard analysis: Facing Amtrak’s food and staffing challenges

A meal on a small table in a passenger car overlooking a river.

CHICAGO — Food service on Amtrak’s long-distance trains has become such an exercise in repetition that something as modest as the cold meal service on the Portland, Ore., section of the Empire Builder is both a notable and welcome respite. That’s one aspect of the current state of onboard dining, which suggests both immediate and […]

Read More…

FRA publishes rule requiring state plans on grade crossing safety

A yellow and white diesel locomotive leads a train through a busy intersection with cars, surrounded by palm trees.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration has published its final rule requiring states to create action plans addressing safety at rail-highway grade crossings, a rule addressing a mandate of the federal FAST (Fixing America’s Surface Transporation) Act. The rule requires 40 states and the District of Columbia to develop plans that identify any grade crossing […]

Read More…

Board approves MBTA cuts

A purple painted locomotive heads a train surrounded by a passenger platform on a cloudless day. MBTA is unsafe and service isn't great either, says poll.

BOSTON — By a 3-2 margin, the board overseeing the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority today approved a wide-ranging series of service reductions reflecting the financial losses brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes, while significant, include some modifications from those originally proposed a month ago [see “Planned MBTA cuts would end commuter rail service after […]

Read More…

Huron Central gets reprieve — again

Huron Central logo

Ontario’s Huron Central will continue operating until at least June 30, marking at least the third time owner Genesee & Wyoming has reversed plans to close the 173-mile line between Sault St. Marie and Sudbury. CTV News reports the company, which had planned to cease operations on Dec. 18, extended the deadline because of progress […]

Read More…