PITTSBURGH — Wabtec will work with the Australian Rail Track Corp. to help develop interoperability of the country’s rail system, the two companies have announced. Wabtec will work to develop the interoperability standard between ARTC’s Advanced Train Management System and European Rail Traffic Management System 2, also used in Australia. “ARTC recognizes the complex challenge […]
Type of Train: Freight
Weekly U.S. rail traffic remains above 2023 levels
WASHINGTON — Carloads remained down but intermodal traffic continued strong, allowing weekly U.S. rail volume to remain above 2023 levels for the 12th straight week, according to statistics from the Association of American Railroads. For the week ending April 13, total U.S. traffic was 466,463 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 1.5% over the […]
CSX earnings decline despite higher quarterly volume
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX reported weaker first-quarter profits today as revenue fell despite higher freight volumes. “Working together, the ONE CSX team delivered a good start to the year that was in line with our expectations,” CEO Joe Hinrichs said in a statement. “We were pleased to see our consistent customer service performance lead to […]
Regulators end probe of Union Pacific’s use of embargoes, but slam railroad’s ‘delay and obfuscation’
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board today closed the book on its investigation of Union Pacific’s record use of congestion-related embargoes in 2022 – but not before scolding the railroad for failing to comply with board orders and requests for information. “UP’s conduct in this regard bordered on the contumacious and cannot be viewed as […]
Great Railfan Roads | U.S. Route 30 in Nebraska
The Union Pacific main through Nebraska is one of the best train-watching spots in America, with a plethora of trains operating over double track and sometimes triple track mainline. U.S. Route 30 closely parallels the railroad, making this stretch of the Union Pacific a great place to see trains. Let’s follow the route from Cheyenne, […]
Watco announces executive leadership changes
PITTSBURG, Kan. – Watco has made several executive leadership changes that the short line holding company says will refine its focus and simplify its mission. “This new structure will better support Watco’s focus on ensuring we have the best possible solutions for our customers and that our team is armed with the tools necessary to […]
Maine enacts new law on rail hazardous-material transportation
AUGUSTA, Maine — Railroads in Maine face new requirements for reporting the transport of hazardous materials in the state after Gov. Janet Mills signed an emergency bill into law on Friday, the Portland Press Herald reports. LD1937 was introduced last year following a Rockwood, Maine, derailment and fire that saw three crew members injured [see […]
Jim Foote, who led CSX to record operating and financial performance, dies at 70 (updated)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former CSX CEO Jim Foote, who helped turn the railroad from industry laggard into a leader, died yesterday. He was 70. “Jim’s leadership was instrumental in guiding CSX through a transformational period in our company’s history, advancing CSX to new heights, marked by record operating and financial performance,” CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs […]
Steve Miazga’s N scale Missabe Junction operating session
Enjoy an insider’s look at an informal operating session hosted on Steve Miazga’s N scale (1:160) model railroad, set in northern Wisconsin. While you can read about the construction of this 14 x16-foot basement layout in Trains.com bonus articles and Model Railroader magazine’s September 2018 issue, the real thrill comes from seeing Steve and his […]
Canadian National improves contract offer to engineers, conductors in Canada
MONTREAL — Canadian National last week improved its contract offer to the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, which represents engineers and conductors in Canada. The railway said it offered the union better wages, more job security, and guaranteed earnings during talks held April 10-12. Both CN and Canadian Pacific Kansas City have proposed abolishing the traditional […]
AFL-CIO urges Norfolk Southern shareholders to vote against activist investor’s proposals
WASHINGTON — The AFL-CIO today became the latest organization to oppose an activist investor’s bid to gain control of Norfolk Southern. “In our view, Ancora’s business plan to reduce Norfolk Southern’s operating ratio while improving safety and service is not realistic. Railway labor unions, shippers, and federal regulators have warned that Ancora’s plans may jeopardize […]
CSX debuts its first hydrogen-fuel cell locomotive (updated)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – CSX today debuted its first hydrogen fuel-cell locomotive, which was converted from a conventional four-axle unit using a kit supplied by Canadian Pacific Kansas City. The locomotive, GP38H2 No. 2100, was built at CSX’s Huntington Locomotive Shop in West Virginia, which is handling hydrogen fuel cell conversions under a partnership with CPKC. […]