FORT WORTH, Texas — A judge has granted BNSF Railway a temporary restraining order, blocking a threatened strike by two of its unions over new work rules. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports U.S. District Court Judge Mark Pittman said that his ruling does not address whether the dispute between BNSF and the unions — the […]
Subscription: Metered
CN names former CP official Tracy Robinson as its next CEO
MONTREAL — Canadian National on Tuesday named former Canadian Pacific executive Tracy Robinson as its new president and CEO, and reached an agreement with activist investor TCI Fund Management, which has dropped its proxy contest. Robinson spent nearly three decades at CP — with experience including positions in operations, finance, and marketing — before joining […]
Watco sets startup dates for former CN lines in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario
Watco short line railroads will begin operating former Canadian National branches in the Badger State, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and Ontario in the next week. On Jan. 29, Watco will begin operations on the 328.5-mile Fox Valley & Lake Superior in Wisconsin, as well as the 142.6 miles of trackage on the Upper Peninsula […]
Brightline breaks ground on new Boca Raton station
BOCA RATON, Fla. — Brightline has broken ground on its new station in Boca Raton, Fla., which will become the passenger operator’s fifth station on its route between Miami and West Palm Beach. The 38,000-square-foot station is located adjacent to the city’s library and across from Mizner Park, and is expected to be completed this […]
ScaleTrains four-axle locomotive announcement at Amherst 2022
ScaleTrains four-axle locomotive announcement is set for this weekend. Officials with ScaleTrains say they’ll unveil the new HO Scale model during the Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show at 10:50 a.m. Eastern time, January 29. Attendees will be able to see the unveiling live at booth BLC No. 34A. More details will be available from […]
Meet the Modeler: James McNab
What was your first train set (or locomotive)? While I have vague memories of a Lionel train set when I was a young child, the first scale locomotive that I owned was a DC-powered N scale Baltimore and Ohio F7, along with several freight cars. They were a birthday gift when I was 12 or […]
Civil trial against Durango & Silverton is delayed
DURANGO, Colo. — A trial in which more than 30 property owners and businesses are seeking damages from the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad over a 2018 wildfire has been delayed, the Durango Herald reports. The civil lawsuit was delayed by 6th Judicial District Judge Suzanne Carlson to Aug. 29 because of ongoing negotiations […]
Utilities look to stockpile more coal in 2022 even as coal-fired plant retirements loom: Analysis
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Railroads are likely to haul more coal to American power plants this year even as coal’s share of electric generating capacity declines. Utilities that use coal are eager to replenish inventories after high natural gas prices and supply chain issues severely depleted their supply in 2021. In a recent short-term outlook, the […]
Politicians call for subway platform gates after fatal New York crimes
NEW YORK — Responding to an upswing in subway crime — including incidents, some fatal, in which people have been shoved off platforms onto the tracks in front of oncoming trains — New York City politicians are calling for the introduction of platform gates to keep passengers from falling onto the right-of-way. Such gates are […]
Former New York tourist route goes to auction
NORTH CREEK, N.Y. — A 30-mile stretch of track last operated by the defunct Saratoga & North Creek will be auctioned off as part of bankruptcy proceedings, opening the possibility of its return to operation. The Albany Times-Union reports an initial bid of $700,000 has already been received from Revolution Rail, which has operated a […]
CSX names Pelkey as chief financial officer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX on Monday named Sean R. Pelkey as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective immediately. Pelkey, who joined the railroad in 2005, most recently served as vice president and acting chief financial officer. Previously, he was vice president of finance and treasury. “Sean has played an important role as a […]
Railroads say they welcome unions’ request for mediation in national negotiations
The group representing railroads in bargaining with rail labor unions says it welcomes the move to mediation in the two-year-old negotiations, a move the group representing unions reflects the fact railroads “are not bargaining in good faith.” The National Railway Labor Conference, which represents its member railroads in national labor matters, says in a Monday […]