KEYTESVILLE, Mo. — A Missouri judge is considering a request to stay litigation over the fatal June 27 derailment of Amtrak’s Southwest Chief while the National Transportation Safety Board investigation is ongoing, as requested by defendants. KMBC-TV reports Chariton County Circuit Court Judge Terry Tschannen heard arguments Tuesday from attorneys for Amtrak, BNSF Railway, and […]
Railroad: BNSF
Presidential Emergency Board issues rail contract recommendations meant to avert strike
WASHINGTON — The Presidential Emergency Board charged with making recommendations to resolve the longstanding contract differences between the U.S. Class I railroads and their unionized workforce today submitted its report to the White House, railroads, and organized labor. The board recommended a 22% wage increase, along with $5,000 in service recognition bonus payments, over the […]
Union Pacific operations recovery continues as crew ranks rise
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific’s operations are recovering as more conductors graduate from training classes and are deployed in revenue service, executives said at an investor conference today. UP’s traffic is up 2% in the quarter to date, but would be higher if not for ongoing service problems related to crew shortages, particularly on the […]
American Car & Foundry 50-foot exterior-post boxcar from Walthers
American Car & Foundry 50-foot exterior-post boxcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $34.98 Era: 1974 to present Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com 50-foot American Car and Foundry exterior post boxcar features: Plate B dimensions 33” turned-metal wheelsets with RP-25 contours Proto-Max metal couplers Road names: Burlington Northern […]
BNSF coal train derails in Oklahoma
BOISE CITY, Okla. — Thirteen cars of a BNSF unit coal train derailed Friday evening near Boise City, blocking a state highway for several hours, the Cimarron County Sheriff’s Office reports. No injuries were reported. KVII-TV reports the derailment occurred about 6:50 p.m. State Route 325 was reopened about 12:30 a.m. on Saturday. BNSF’s main […]
Tank car stabilized, ending Southern California evacuation and freeway closure
PERRIS, Calif. — An evacuation order has been lifted and an Interstate highway reopened after BNSF Railway workers were able to stabilize a leaking tank car on Saturday, KTLA-TV reports. Interstate 215 was closed Friday morning, more than 100 people were evacuated, and service on an adjacent Metrolink commuter rail line was halted because of […]
Cleanup continues from BNSF derailment in East Galesburg, Ill.
EAST GALESBURG, Ill. — A grade crossing remains closed and cleanup is ongoing in the wake of an Aug. 3 derailment of a BNSF Railway intermodal train, the Galesburg Register-Mail reports. The State Street crossing at the derailment site is expected to reopen next week, a BNSF spokesman told the railroad. Darrell Corbin, acting mayor […]
Spokane Portland and Seattle passenger trains
Spokane Portland and Seattle passenger trains: All through August 2022, Classic Trains editors are celebrating the history and heritage of Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway. The Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway was the product of sparring during 1905-1909 between “Empire Builder” James J. Hill of the Great Northern and Edward H. Harriman of the Union […]
Railroads ignore train crew complaints at their own peril: Analysis
If there’s one thing all railroaders have in common, it’s the ability to complain about anything and everything. They’re world-class grumblers. So when train crews and labor unions bash the railroads for this, that, and the other thing, sometimes you have to wonder if they’re crying wolf. Wonder no more. The union-management pot, which is […]
Athearn HO scale General Electric C44-9W diesel locomotive
General Electric C44-9W diesel locomotive Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector and factory-installed speakers, $169.99 Era: 1990s to mid-2000s+ (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com General Electric C40-9W diesel locomotive features: Body-mounted McHenry knuckle couplers Road-name-specific horn, snow plow, rear grills, trucks, and antennas Factory […]
BNSF revenue and profits rise despite volume decline
OMAHA, Neb. — BNSF Railway’s revenue and profits rose in the second quarter despite volume being down nearly 6%, Berkshire Hathaway, the railroad’s parent company, reported on Saturday. The railroad’s operating income rose 7%, to $2.37 billion, as revenue grew 15%, to $6.45 billion. Earnings improved, Berkshire said, as revenue per carload and intermodal unit […]
Hearing set on stay for Chief lawsuits; new employee suit claims train was overcrowded
KEYTESVILLE, Mo. — A judge in Chariton County, Mo., has scheduled a hearing on whether to delay lawsuits over the June 27 derailment of Amtrak’s Southwest Chief while the National Transportation Safety Board continues its investigation into the fatal accident. Meanwhile, an Amtrak employee has filed a suit claiming the passenger operator “intentionally” crowded the […]