STB denies mediation request in Amtrak Gulf Coast case

Surface Transportation Board logo

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has turned down a request to order mediation in the Amtrak Gulf Coast case. CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, and the Alabama State Port Authority/Terminal Railway Alabama State Docks had requested mediation, which Amtrak had opposed. In the decision released today (Friday, April 1), the board says it “unfortunate” that […]

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CSX hires BP executive as new chief digital and technology officer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – CSX Transportation has hired Steve Fortune, a longtime BP executive, to be its executive vice president and chief digital and technology officer. “We are pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Fortune and welcome him to CSX’s executive leadership team. CSX is focused on growing through innovation and being a leader in […]

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Service improvements are on the way, BNSF tells grain shippers

BNSF FreightCar America 5204 covered hopper.

WASHINGTON – BNSF Railway is taking several steps to improve its service to grain shippers, including boosting crew and locomotive availability, CEO Katie Farmer wrote in a letter to the National Grain and Feed Association this week. The trade group representing grain shippers complained to the Surface Transportation Board last week regarding deteriorating service from […]

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EU approves Eurostar-Thalys merger

Green_Speed_Map

BRUSSELS — European regulators have approved the pandemic-delayed merger of two high speed rail companies, Politico.eu reports. The merger of the Eurostar and Thalys companies was first proposed in 2019 [see “Proposed high speed merger …,” Trains News Wire, Sept. 30, 2019] but delayed as both companies struggled with plummeting ridership during the COVID-19 pandemic. […]

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News photos: Amtrak releases images of interiors for new Acelas

Seats in Acela Business class

PHILADELPHIA — Amtrak has released images of the interiors for the new Acela trainsets currently under construction or in testing, and now not expected to debut until 2023. “Between the sleek design of their interiors, state-of-the-art technology, and sustainable amenities, and innovative safety features, our new Acela trains will help revolutionize American train travel,” Amtrak […]

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Rail issues lead to cutbacks by Canadian forest products company

Logo of forest products company Canfor

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Forest products company Canfor will cut production at sawmills in Western Canada because of “extreme supply chain challenges” relating to rail service, the news site Business in Vancouver reports. Subsidiary Canfor Pulp Produces had previously announced it would continue to curtail production at its plant in Taylor, B.C., for at least […]

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Norfolk Southern earns two sustainability awards

Norfolk Southern logo

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern has received two awards for its achievements in sustainability, the company announced Thursday. NS was recognized with the Responsible Care Energy Efficiency Award for locomotive fuel efficiency from the American Chemistry Council and the 2022 Green Bond of the Year Award from Environmental Finance. The Chemistry Council award recognizes efforts including […]

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Safety board issues findings and recommendations after probe of fatal CP runaway (Updated)

Locomotive surrounded by cars from derailment

CALGARY, Alberta — The degradation of air brakes in extreme cold, the limited effectiveness of current train brake tests, and inadequate training and experience of supervisory personnel contributed to the 2019 Canadian Pacific grain train runaway and derailment that killed three crew members in British Columbia’s Kicking Horse Pass. That’s the conclusion of the Transportation […]

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News & products for the week of April 7, 2022

Photo of large scale streetcar painted yellow and blue with red pinstripe and gray roof on brass track with brown ties.

Large scale streetcars 1914 San Francisco Muni streetcar no. 130. Includes two Bühler motors and mfx/Digital Command Control decoder with various light and sound functions. Running sounds work in analog. $960. Third quarter 2022. LGB (Märklin, Inc.), 800-321-8811, lgb.com   Large scale sets Norfolk Southern Rescue Train. Three-piece set includes diesel locomotive, tank car, and […]

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