BNSF and CN raise issues over CP-KCS merger

Train of auto racks meets locomotives

WASHINGTON — BNSF Railway and Canadian National have raised issues with federal regulators’ timeline for review of the proposed Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger. BNSF, in a filing posted today on the Surface Transportation Board’s website, said the 90-day comment period was insufficient given the ramifications of how the merger would affect traffic moving between […]

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Doug Karhan, former NS steam master mechanic, dies

IRONDALE, Ala. — Doug Karhan, who was master mechanic of steam for Norfolk Southern from 1982 to the close of excursions in 1994, has died. Karhan, who began as a volunteer, became assistant to the late Bill Purdie. He died Thursday, those close to him tell Trains News Wire. No other details were immediately available. […]

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CN pledges to achieve net-zero carbon operations by 2050

Canadian National logo

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, […]

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After 54 days, Ottawa light rail service resumes

Ottawa O Train logo

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 […]

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Winnipeg rail museum faces closure, relocation

Entry of Winnipeg Union Station

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 […]

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Class I CEOs head speaker list for January MARS conference

Mars logo

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 […]

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News & products for the week of November 11, 2021

Hostler 2100.

Electronics/controls Hostler 2100 AC throttle. Six versions (three each for standard use and display operations). Features speed, direction, whistle/horn, and bell controls; light-emitting-diode indicators for power, track, and overload; and electronic overload protection with auto-reset. Speed response contains a fixed momentum. Requires appropriate AC input power. Panel measures 7-1/2” x 4-1/2” x 2” and has […]

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News photo: Alco returns to operation in Spain

Green and gold streamlined locomotive at station

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 […]

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Skip Lichter, steam locomotive owner, dies

Man sitting next to steam locomotive

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 […]

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Meet the modeler: Lou Sassi

Man in cab of steam locomotive

What was your first train set (or locomotive)? My first train set was a Lionel steam engine and freight car set my father brought home from his workplace. He was the manager of the “National Auto Store” in Saratoga Springs, New York. National Auto was a chain of (12 or so) stores in upstate New […]

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