Foundation releases new proposal for Vancouver Island rail service

ENRDCsJohnston

VICTORIA, British Columbia — The Island Corridor Foundation, the non-profit organization which owns the former Esquimalt & Nanaimo rail line on Vancouver Island, has proposed a C$431 plan to for a commuter and freight rail service between Victoria and Courtenay, B.C. The Victoria Times Colonist reports the foundation is seeking government support for a business […]

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Delayed return of ‘Cascades’ to Canada shows Amtrak employment challenges: Analysis (updated)

Blue and silver road-switcher locomotive on passenger train

SEATTLE — In its determination to cut costs in 2020 and 2021 as the COVID-19 pandemic sucker-punched its prized Northeast Corridor moneymakers, Amtrak management turned off the hiring pipeline while furloughing employees nationwide. But state-based decisions deferring resumption of regional round trips have exacerbated the situation, especially in efforts to hire operating personnel, as prospective […]

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Canadian rule changes seek to address train runaways

Two derailed locomotives and derailed hopper cars

OTTAWA — Transport Canada has announced regulatory revisions to address issues involving runaway trains and equipment. Changes to the Canadian Rail Operating Rules and Locomotive Inspection and Safety Rules will set performance standards for locomotives equipped with rollaway protection, designed to automatically apply brakes when there is unintended movement; requirements before leaving a locomotive, such […]

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U.S. rail traffic decline continues in weekly statistics

Table showing weekly U.S. carload rail traffic by commodity, plus overall intermodal traffic

WASHINGTON — Weekly U.S. rail traffic figures remain below 2021 levels, although the degree of decline continues to vary significantly from week to week. Statistics from the Association of American Railroads, for the week ending May 14, show overall traffic down 5.4% compared to the corresponding week a year earlier. This follows a 3.5% decline […]

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Genesee & Wyoming christens new Gulf of Mexico rail ferry

Ship loaded with railcars at dock

MOBILE, Ala. —  With the sound of shattering glass and a big splash of champagne, Genesee & Wyoming short line CG Railway on Wednesday christened one of its new rail ferries that can haul up to 135 freight cars across the Gulf of Mexico. Virginia Reeves, a 34-year G&W employee who works in corporate communications, […]

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Canadian piggyback flatcars from Rapido Trains

flatcar schemes

Canadian piggyback flatcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $54.95; six-pack, $329.70 Era: 1966-1976 (Canadian National), 1973-late 1980s (Canadian Pacific) Manufacturer: Rapido Trains Inc., 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5 Canada, 905-474-3314, rapidotrains.com  Canadian piggyback flatcar features: Heavy die-cast metal center sill Photo-etched deck surface Upright and collapsed hitches Wire grab irons […]

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Pacific Car & Foundry class B-70-69/71/75 boxcars from Rapido Trains

boxcars in a variety of paint schemes

Pacific Car & Foundry boxcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: single car, $54.95; six-pack, $329.70, six-pack Era: 1972 to present (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Rapido Trains Inc., 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5 Canada, 905-474-3314, rapidotrains.com Pacific Car & Foundry boxcar features: Separate, factory-applied metal grab irons, uncoupling levers, and door […]

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Canadian piggyback trailers from Rapido Trains

various schemes of 26-foot can cars

Canadian piggyback trailers Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $31.95 each Manufacturer: Rapido Trains Inc., 500 Alden Road, Unit 21, Markham, Ontario L3R 5H5 Canada, 905-474-3314, rapidotrains.com 26-foot Can-Car Industries dry van features: Landing gear with two separate pieces to simulation in-motion or parked positions Separate, factory-applied mudflaps Detailed wheel and axle area Upright and collapsed hitches […]

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Canadian National launches new focus on operations

Train with red locomotive approaching curve

BOSTON — Canadian National is taking a back-to-basics approach under new CEO Tracy Robinson. The first order of business is to improve the railway’s velocity, which since last fall has generally been running below 2020 and 2021 levels when measured by the average number of miles cars travel per day. “As we bring the schedule […]

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