Norfolk Southern says activist investor Ancora Holdings violated the Railway Labor Act when it negotiated a deal with the general chairmen of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen in exchange for the union’s support in its proxy campaign. The BLET in February was vehemently opposed to Ancora’s plan to oust Norfolk Southern’s management and […]
Subscription: Metered
UP train derails on key Portland, Ore., bridge (updated)
PORTLAND, Ore. — A Union Pacific train derailed early this morning at the east end of Portland’s historic Steel Bridge, closing the heavily used bridge while authorities assessed its structural integrity. The derailment also meant the vertical lift portion of the bridge could not be raised, impacting ship traffic on the Willamette River. “The issue […]
Why multiple diesel locomotives run together in the same or different directions
When I began exploring the ins and outs of railroad operations as a teenager, a lingering question piqued my curiosity: Why do multiple diesel locomotives run together in the same or different directions? The answer is quite simple once you understand how the operating practice works. Most North American locomotives today are diesel-electric, meaning that […]
Train handling is a science
Train handling The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there are more than 36,000 locomotive engineers in the United States. Whether it’s an older Geep switching cars in an industry, a passenger train racing across the country, or a Class I freight on the main line, the techniques that engineers learn and have at […]
BNSF line closed by washout in Kansas (updated)
PRESCOTT, Kan. — It’s been a rough few days for BNSF Railway. In the latest incident, the railroad advised customers today (Monday, April 29) of a washout that occurred Sunday afternoon near Prescott, Kan., on its Fort Scott Subdivision. In an updated report, BNSF announced the line had been reopened at 2:15 p.m. CT. Prescott […]
Missouri River Runners again cancelled by UP derailment
LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. — Missouri River Runner service has been canceled today, the second day of cancellations because of a Union Pacific derailment early Sunday near Kansas City, according to the Amtrak Alerts feed on social media site X. The through Lincoln Service/Missouri River Runner trains that operate between Chicago and Kansas City are originating […]
Williams by Bachmann E-Z Street vehicles
I grew up around cars; my dad managed a tire/repair shop until his retirement. So when Bachmann offered to send a couple of their new E-Z Street vehicles for review, the answer was an easy yes. These vehicles are part of the former K-Line “Super Streets” line, renamed by Williams by Bachmann as E-Z Street. […]
Influential proxy advisory firm recommends that Norfolk Southern shareholders side with activist investor Ancora Holdings (updated)
In a significant boost to activist investor Ancora Holdings, one of the two major proxy advisory firms has recommended that Norfolk Southern shareholders vote in favor of six of its seven dissident board candidates. Glass Lewis made the recommendation in a report issued on Sunday, which concludes that Ancora has made a compelling case that […]
New York MTA announces plans to begin congestion pricing on June 30
NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will begin assessing congestion pricing tolls — the fee for vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street, which will be used to fund transit projects — on Sunday, June 30, the agency has announced. Meanwhile, the news site amNY.com reports that, in concert with the start of the pricing […]
Can I replace trucks on Walthers HO Horizon cars?
Q: Do you have any suggestions on how to replace trucks on Walthers HO Horizon cars (item No. 932-6073)? — Daniel Kielty A: That part number corresponds to an HO scale Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter car. The Horizon fleet passenger cars, used by Amtrak as well as municipal transit authorities like MBTA, were built […]
What are you working on?
Through our Trains.com website and the pages of Model Railroader magazine, you get a pretty good idea of what some of the hobby’s well-known names are working on. But not everything they do becomes an article for the website or magazine. In “What are you working on?” I surveyed some of our regular contributors to […]
Amtrak Indianapolis services through time
Amtrak Indianapolis services exhibit more than their share of tumult through Amtrak’s five decades. No single train has served the city during this time, and, in fact, the Hoosier State’s capital city had no Amtrak service from October 1979 to October 1980. Amtrak’s Indianapolis station is, and has been, located at 350 S. Illinois […]