BORDULAC, N.D. — Derailed cars of a CPKC train continued to burn as of early today (July 6) in Foster County, N.D., with an official saying the goal is to extinguish the fire in the next 12 to 18 hours. CNN reports Foster County Emergency Management Director Andrew Kirking said a voluntary evacuation recommendation had […]
Zone & Region: Plains & Texas
CPKC train carrying hazardous materials derails, catches fire in North Dakota (updated)
CARRINGTON, N.D. — Multiple cars of a CPKC train carrying hazardous materials derailed and caught fire early today (July 5) in east-central North Dakota. The Associated Press reports that 29 cars derailed, including cars carrying anhydrous ammonia, sulfur, and methanol, according to an official from the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality. Wind was blowing […]
BNSF bridge on South Dakota-Iowa state line collapses
NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. — A portion of a BNSF Railway bridge connecting North Sioux City, S.D., and Sioux City, Iowa, collapsed Sunday night, as heavy rains and flooding continue to take a toll on the area. “We have been monitoring the region through our increased track inspections and had not been operating over the […]
Santa Fe freight house in Atchison, Kans.
The Santa Fe’s freight depot at Atchison, Kans., is typical of those found in small cities. Inbound boxcars were unloaded along the single track at the dock, with trucks loading on the other side of the structure. Note the old-style grade crossing warning device in the foreground. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe photo […]
CPKC Final Spike Steam Tour | Canadian Pacific No. 2816 on KCS
After a spirited run from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to Kansas City, Missouri, U.S., Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 steam locomotive No. 2816 “Empress” set off in late May 2024 on new mileage, covering the former Kansas City Southern system with the CPKC Final Spike Anniversary Steam Tour en route to Mexico City. Come along with Trains.com as […]
CPR No. 2816 returns to the U.S. after completing CPKC’s Final Spike steam tour in Mexico (update)
LAREDO, Texas — With SD70ACU No. 7013 and two FP9 diesels at the head end, Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 pulled into Laredo on June 11 after recrossing the Rio Grande at the International Railway Bridge, reentering the United States. Roughly 2 weeks prior on May 30, The Empress led the three diesels and office […]
CPKC sets new return schedule for No. 2816, Steam Tour train
CALGARY, Alberta — CPKC has released a revised schedule for the return trip of Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 and the Final Spike Steam Tour, including a new display date in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The revised schedule accommodates the planned excursion with the locomotive on June 29 between Silvis and Bureau Junction, Ill., on the Iowa […]
Two UP trains derail in Arkansas; Texas Eagle cancelled St. Louis-Ft. Worth for two days
EMMETT, Ark. —Ten cars of a Union Pacific freight train derailed Saturday afternoon, May 25, at Emmett, Ark., about 7 miles northeast of Hope, Ark. The track continued to be blocked Sunday afternoon as crews worked to remove cars and repair the damage, according to spokeswoman Meg Siffring. A second train had derailed a day […]
Communication error led to Union Pacific yard fatality, NTSB determines
WASHINGTON — A communication breakdown over granting permission for a train movement into the yard, as well as regarding placement of a portable derail device, was the probable cause of the August 2022 fatality of a Union Pacific conductor at a yard in El Paso, Texas, the National Transportation Safety Board determined in its final […]
Amtrak Superliner Cars
The recent shortage of Amtrak long-distance sleeper cars has hoisted the venerable, but rapidly aging, Superliner equipment into the spotlight again. You can read more about past and present Superliner woes in the article, “Superliner capacity not a new issue”, appearing in the July 2024 issue of Trains magazine. But first, catch a glimpse of […]
Burlington’s other Zephyrs deserve a spotlight
The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, commonly known as the Burlington Route, had many other Zephyrs. While not as prestigious as the Pioneer, Twin Cities, Mark Twain, Denver and California Zephyrs, these other streamlined trainsets and services, famously named after the Greek God of the West Wind, deserve a spotlight. Sam Houston Zephyr Fort […]
Rock Island passenger trains remembered
Rock Island passenger trains: All through May 2024, Classic Trains editors are celebrating the history and heritage of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific. Please enjoy this photo gallery of Rock Island passenger trains, originally published online in July 2017. […]