FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway’s plans to institute a new attendance policy while a new labor agreement is under negotiation is contrary to the terms of the Railway Labor Act, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen argues in a new court filing. The Thursday filing with the U.S. District Court in Fort Worth […]
Railroad: BNSF
Union Pacific, Amtrak, BNSF score well on Human Rights Campaign equality list (second update)
Union Pacific has earned a 100% score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index, earning it a place on the foundation’s “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality list, the railroad has announced. Union Pacific was the only railroad to earn a 100% score. Amtrak and BNSF Railway also scored well, at 90% […]
BNSF may purchase 3,500 acres for Arizona industrial complex
PHOENIX — BNSF Railway is seeking to acquire more than 3,500 acres of state-owned land for an intermodal and industrial facility in the Phoenix area, according to a news report. The Phoenix Business Journal reports that state records show BNSF, through WittDev LLC, wants to bid on the land currently held by the Arizona State […]
Judge blocks strike by BNSF unions over attendance policy (updated)
FORT WORTH, Texas — A judge has granted BNSF Railway a temporary restraining order, blocking a threatened strike by two of its unions over new work rules. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports U.S. District Court Judge Mark Pittman said that his ruling does not address whether the dispute between BNSF and the unions — the […]
BNSF Railway needed to end Montana Rail Link lease – analysis
BNSF Railway is taking back Montana Rail Link’s lease on the former Northern Pacific main line across Montana and Idaho for one simple reason: To control its own destiny. In recent years the growth-minded BNSF has made significant capacity investments on its routes to and from the Pacific Northwest. To the east of MRL, BNSF […]
Lionel Legacy Genset locomotive is a winner
The new Lionel Legacy Genset locomotive is a nice-looking O gauge model of an innovative and environmentally conscious prototype. The full-sized versions get the job done while saving fuel and producing lower emissions. Simply put, the units are equipped with multiple small diesel engine-generator combinations rather than one large one. The number of power sets […]
BNSF files suit to block potential strike
OMAHA, Neb. — BNSF Railway is asking a federal judge to block a potential strike by two unions began polling workers about a possible strike over the railroad’s new attendance policies, the Associated Press reports. BNSF filed suit against the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and […]
Union Pacific lands Schneider intermodal contract
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Transportation and logistics firm Schneider will shift its primary western U.S. rail service to Union Pacific from BNSF Railway in January 2023, the companies have announced. “Schneider’s intermodal business is a great fit for Union Pacific’s diverse network,” Union Pacific CEO Lance Fritz said in a press release. “We look forward […]
We need transcontinental railroad mergers — Analysis
Railroads fall short of trucks in so many ways. The inability to offer seamless service from Point A to Point B shouldn’t be among them. But the Surface Transportation Board has said, in so many words, that Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern will be the last merger of Class I railroads. That’s a colossal mistake. Why? […]
Colorado Joint Line short train
Modelers with small spaces, please consider the above Colorado Joint Line short train as one prototype you might want to model. Back in 2017, I was chasing trains from Denver south to Colorado Springs and Pueblo along Colorado’s famed Joint Line before a rail industry conference began. I was told something like “trains run like […]
BNSF Railway to seek concession to operate in Mexico
WASHINGTON — Is BNSF de Mexico a possibility? BNSF Railway, in a Thursday regulatory filing related to the proposed Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger, said it may seek trackage rights on Kansas City Southern to reach the Mexican border at Laredo, Texas. The bombshell was tucked away in a footnote: BNSF will seek a concession […]
Bob’s Train Box Episode 77: 2021 in review
It’s 2021 in review as Bob and Hal look back at the big toy train news and products from The past 12 months, including the breakup (mostly) and sale of pieces of MTH Trains and how it has been a net gain for the company and the hobby. They also discuss structure and rolling stock […]