FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway boosted operating profits in the second quarter thanks to a combination of cost control and traffic volume gains. The railway on Saturday, Aug. 3, said its operating income increased 1%, to $1.8 billion, as revenue declined 2%, to $5.7 billion. The operating ratio, at 68.2%, was flat compared to […]
Section: News & Reviews
Rocky Mountaineer adapts to Jasper wildfire disaster; VIA plans first through westbound Canadian
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Rail excursion operator Rocky Mountaineer has rerouted passengers booked for its two itineraries that formerly terminated or originated in Jasper, Alberta, for the rest of the 2024 tour season. Meanwhile, VIA Rail Canada’s Canadian departing Toronto on Aug. 7 is tentatively slated to be the first train to pass through Jasper. […]
New Southern California rule would require dramatic reduction in rail yard pollution
DIAMOND Bar, Calif. — A Southern California regulatory agency on Friday adopted new rules requiring railroads to significantly reduce pollution from rail yards starting in 2027, an action that would require nitrogen oxide emissions to be reduced up to 82% by 2037. The South Coast Air Quality Management District’s new Freight Rail Yards Indirect Source […]
Senator introduces legislation for federal oversight of rail bridges
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) has introduced a bill to give the U.S. Department of Transportation greater oversight of the inspection of railroad bridges, including the ability to investigate claims made by communities that bridges are unsafe. The Rail Bridge Safety and Transparency Act was introduced on Thursday, Aug. 1. U.S. Rep. […]
Runaway car on short line strikes Norfolk Southern train, causing derailment in Michigan
ADRIAN, Mich. — A runaway freight car from a short line struck a Norfolk Southern train this morning in Adrian, derailing 10 cars of the NS train, the Class I railroad told a local TV station. The incident occurred at about 8 a.m. at a crossing of the NS and the Adrian & Blissfield railroad. […]
Genesee Valley Transportation sells two Alcos to heritage railway
BATAVIA, N.Y. — Genesee Valley Transportation has sold two Alco RS3 locomotives to heritage railway Saratoga Corinth & Hudson, the two operations announced today (Aug. 2). Locomotives No. 4103 and 4118, which wore the same numbers with the Delaware & Hudson, were purchased from the Octoraro Railroad and rebuilt at Genesee Valley’s South Scranton Shop. […]
James E. Strates Shows carnival train makes a celebratory last run
HAMBURG, N.Y. — The James E. Strates Shows carnival train made a triumphant final trip Thursday (Aug. 1) when it delivered midway attractions to the Erie County Fair via shortline Buffalo Southern. The nine-car train — which made its way from Strates headquarters in Taft, Fla., to Buffalo, N.Y., in CSX merchandise service last month […]
Consultants hired to help develop plans for two passenger routes
Consultants have been hired this week to develop plans for two lines — Chicago-Fort Wayne-Pittsburgh and the former North Coast Hiawatha route — that are candidates for future passenger service under the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development Program. The City of Fort Wayne, Ind., working with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and the […]
Amtrak seeking $300 million in grants for NEC work in New Jersey
WASHINGTON — Amtrak has applied for almost $300 million in federal grants to address infrastructure needs on the Northeast Corridor, including problems with the catenary system that have led to significant delays in recent months, NJ.com reports. The passenger company is seeking $299.7 million through four Federal Railroad Administration CRISI (Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety […]
ScaleTrains HO Rivet Counter EMD GP30
An Electro-Motive Division GP30, one of the most recognizable diesels of the second generation, is now available in HO scale from ScaleTrains. The Rivet Counter line model has railroad-specific details, semi-scale Type E couplers, and all-wheel drive and electrical pickup. Prototype history Electro-Motive Division produced the GP30 between July 1961 and November 1963. During the […]
NTSB releases preliminary report on July CPKC hazardous-material derailment in North Dakota
WASHINGTON — A CPKC freight train was traveling about 45 mph when 29 cars derailed on July 5 near Bordulac, N.D., leading to a fire involving methanol and anhydrous ammonia, the National Transportation Safety Board said in the preliminary investigation report released today (Thursday, Aug. 1). The fire burned for two days, leading to a […]
Fourteen cars of UP train derail at North Little Rock yard
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Fourteen cars of a Union Pacific train derailed and overturned this morning (Thursday, Aug. 1) in North Little Rock, KATV-TV reports. No injuries were reported in the incident that occurred about 7:45 a.m.; all of the cars involved were empty, a UP representative told the station. The incident occurred on […]