Carload Considerations: Lessons from a near strike

Crew member walks across front of locomotive as another train passes on adjacent track

CHICAGO — Class I railroads reached tentative agreements with unions in the early-morning hours of Thursday, Sept. 15, putting to rest uncertainties about the prospect of a widespread work stoppage that could have begun as soon as today (Friday, Sept. 16). In the days leading to Thursday’s tentative agreements, Class I railroads started curtailing certain […]

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First Jim Wrinn Award highlights HeritageRail Alliance meeting

Three people standing on platform, two holding award plaques

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — The first presentation of the Jim Wrinn Award for Biggest Railroad Preservation story highlighted the Fall 2022 conference of the HeritageRail Alliance — the first in-person meeting of the organization since 2019 — held Sept. 7-10 in Windsor Locks. Cate Kratville-Wrinn, wife of the late Trains Magazine editor, handed out the […]

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CN updates sustainability data for 2021

Canadian National logo

MONTREAL — Canadian National has released the 2021 data supplement to its sustainability report, providing information on the railroad’s progress in meeting its environmental and other social goals. Among the data released: — The railroad reduced its greenhouse gas emission intensity by 3.3% from 2020 and has reached 15% progress toward its target of a […]

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Pullman-Standard 60-foot flatcar from Walthers

Model of yellow flatcar with white background

Pullman-Standard 60-foot flatcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $34.98 Era: 1960s to present (depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com 60-foot Pullman-Standard flatcar features: Detailed decks for different prototype configurations Board pattern with wood grain and bolt details Brake wheel cutout as appropriate Detailed brake gear […]

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Railroads, commuter operators shift to return to normal operation (updated)

Container train passing overhead signals

Freight railroads have begun informing customers they are returning to business as usual, after halting some operations in preparation for a work stoppage. Commuter operators are returning to normal plans, as well. A stoppage was averted when railroads and unions reached tentative labor agreements early this morning following a marathon bargaining session [see “Freight railroad […]

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Rapido Alco PA-1 and PB-1 series diesel locomotives

Two red and silver streamlined diesel locomotives

Alco PA-1 and PB-1 diesel locomotives Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Direct-current model – PA-1, $225; PA-1 and PB-1 set, $425. With dual-mode sound decoder – PA-1, $335; PA-1 and PB-1 set, $625. Era: 1946 to 1970s (varies depending on scheme) Manufacturer: Rapido Trains Inc., 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5 Canada; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Alco PA and PB […]

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CSX taps former Ford Motor Co. executive as next CEO

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation on Thursday named former Ford Motor Co. executive Joseph R. Hinrichs as its next chief executive officer. Hinrichs, 55, will succeed CEO Jim Foote, who will retire on Sept. 26. Hinrichs has more than 30 years’ experience in the global automotive, manufacturing, and energy sectors, previously serving as president of […]

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