MONTREAL — Canadian National has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, becoming the first North American railroad to do so by joining the Business Ambition for 1.5°C and United Nations Race to Zero campaigns. “CN’s pledge to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 further builds upon our commitment to short-, medium- and long-term targets, […]
After 54 days, Ottawa light rail service resumes
OTTAWA, Ontario — Light rail service on the O-Train Confederation Line resumed Friday morning after a 54-day shutdown triggered by a Sept. 19 derailment. Operations resumed with just seven trainsets in operation, and with the bus route that had replaced the light rail service continuing to operate during the period of partial operation, CTV News […]
Winnipeg rail museum faces closure, relocation
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The Winnipeg Railway Museum, which has displayed a collection including a landmark steam locomotive at the city’s Union Station for 30 years, is facing closure and relocation from its longtime home. The CBC reports the museum has been told its location at the 110-year-old station requires significant work to be brought up […]
Class I CEOs head speaker list for January MARS conference
CHICAGO — CEOs of three Class I railroads head the list of speakers for January’s Midwest Association of Rail Shippers meeting, set for Jan. 12-13, 2022, at the Westin Chicago Lombard. The theme of the meeting will be “Restarting the Supply Chain with Rail.” “There has never been a more important time for rail industry […]
Little River Railroad 4-6-2 No. 110 in steam
Join Trains Editor Jim Wrinn on a video visit to Michigan’s Little River Railroad 4-6-2 No. 110 – known as the world’s smallest standard gauge Pacific steam locomotive. No. 110 celebrates its 110th birthday in 2021. Help celebrate by sharing birthday wishes in the comments section below! […]
News photo: Alco returns to operation in Spain
CASTEJON DE EBRO, Spain — One of the oldest surviving Alco World Series locomotives has been returned to passenger service. Locomotive No. 1603, one of 17 FPD5/DL500A models built by Alco in the U.S. and delivered to Spanish Railways (RENFE) in 1955, is operating after an overhaul completing a 17-year restoration project. The locomotive has […]
CSX CEO concerned about vaccine mandate impact on train crew levels (updated)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – CSX Transportation will comply with federal COVID-19 vaccine regulations by the Jan. 4 deadline, CEO Jim Foote said today. Although CSX requires new hires and management employees to be vaccinated, the railroad has not yet decided whether it will issue a mandate for unionized employees, spokeswoman Cindy Schild says. CSX has offered financial […]
Skip Lichter, steam locomotive owner, dies
GARIBALDI, Ore. — One of private preservation’s most effective individuals, steam locomotive owner Roland “Skip” Lichter, has died. The owner of Polson Lumber Co. 2-8-2 No. 2, long based in Wisconsin and relocated to Oregon in 2017, died Wednesday. Lichter bought the locomotive in 1982 and ran it at Wisconsin’s Mid-Continent Railway Museum until it […]
Norfolk Southern opens new headquarters
ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern has opened its new headquarters building in Atlanta following a Wednesday ceremony featuring Gov. Brian Kemp, Sen. Raphael Warnock, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, NS employees, and city civic and business leaders. The 750,000-square-foot building is on a 3.4-acre campus in Tech Square, featuring two glass towers connected with a campus-style hub; […]
Japanese rail driver sues after being docked pay for 1-minute delay
TOKYO — Time is money, the saying goes. A Japanese train driver is going to court over one minute of each. SoraNews24 reports the driver, who works for the Okayama branch of West Japan Railway Co. (JR West) is seeking 56 yen (49 U.S. cents) in wages he was docked for a 1-minute delay in […]
Intermodal drop continues to drive overall decrease in weekly U.S. rail traffic
WASHINGTON — Weekly U.S. rail traffic remains stuck in a pattern it has displayed since August, with an increase in carload traffic more than offset by a drop in intermodal volume, leaving overall traffic below 2020 levels. For the week ending Nov. 6, the specifics — as reported in the latest statistics from the Association […]
CSX offers scorching response to Amtrak request to compel cooperation
WASHINGTON — Amtrak’s request for cooperation from CSX has received a harsh response from the freight railroad. A CSX filing with the Surface Transportation Board says the passenger railroad is seeking “unrestrained access” to the route of proposed service between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala., and wants “a blank check to perform whatever work it […]