Athearn HO General Electric P40DC

Color photo of HO scale locomotive on scenic base.

The HO scale General Electric (GE) P40DC diesel locomotive has returned to the Athearn product lineup. The Genesis-series model features a newly tooled body with cab-mounted strobe lights, a red emergency light, and other prototype-specific details. The prototype Our review sample is decorated as Amtrak P40DC No. 813, part of the passenger carrier’s 800 through […]

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The Trains Interview: A Q&A with Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena

Trains News Wire spoke with Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena after the railroad’s first quarter earnings call this morning. [See Union Pacific profits improve despite drop in coal.] UP introduced a Service Performance Index that showed how well the railroad met customer commitments during the quarter. The Intermodal Service Performance Index was 95%, while the […]

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BNSF dispatchers join FRA’s Confidential Close Call Reporting System

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway’s train dispatchers will participate in the Federal Railroad Administration’s Confidential Close Call Reporting System under an agreement announced today. BNSF becomes the second Class I railroad to participate in the Confidential Close Call Reporting System, or C3RS. Norfolk Southern joined the program in March. The American Train Dispatchers Association, […]

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Union Pacific profits improve despite drop in coal traffic

Two yellow diesel locomotives pulling a coal train. Progress Rail files antitrust suit against Wabtec

OMAHA Neb. — Union Pacific’s first-quarter profits rose despite flat revenue and lower freight volume. “We are pleased to be able to report earnings growth in a tough environment,” CEO Jim Vena told investors and analysts on the railroad’s earnings call this morning. Operating income rose 3%, to $2.3 billion, on flat revenue of $6 […]

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Activist investor wins backing of union representing Norfolk Southern maintenance of way employees (updated)

CLEVELAND – The union representing Norfolk Southern’s maintenance of way employees has thrown its support behind activist investor Ancora Holdings. The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters said today that a change in leadership is necessary at NS. The union is backing Ancora’s full slate of director candidates […]

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BNSF found liable in Montana asbestos deaths

BNSF Railway logo

HELENA, Mont. — A federal jury found earlier this week that BNSF Railway contributed to the death of two people who were exposed to asbestos when mining material was shipped through the town of Libby, Mont., and awarded $4 million each in compensatory damages to the estate of the two plaintiffs, who died in 2020 […]

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U.S. Rep. Donald Payne, member of Transportation Committee and rail subcommittee, dies at 65

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-N.J.), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Ranking Member of its Railroad, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, died Wednesday, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced. He was 65. NorthJersey.com reports he had been hospitalized since suffering a heart attack from diabetes complications on April […]

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Racine council calls for contract to study Milwaukee-Kenosha commuter service

Map showing rail line and stations between Kenosha, Wis., and Milwaukee

RACINE, Wis. — The city of Racine is continuing efforts to revive the proposed Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter rail project along Union Pacific’s line through those communities, with the Racine Common Council calling for a contract to study infrastructure needs for the project. According to the construction industry publication the Daily Reporter, the council passed a resolution […]

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Completion of Maya Train pushed back to September

Passenger train on bridge

CANCÚN, Mexico — Completion of Mexico’s Maya Train, originally touted as coming in February and subsequently projected for April or May, has been pushed back to September after a decision to modify plans to avoid further damage to underground caverns along the incomplete section of the 950-mile tourist rail system. The work in the 120-kilometer […]

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