May 2021

Trains Magazine May 2021 issue cover

In every issue News p. 4 New twists on existing technology: container system for auto racks, bus-light rail hybrid Bill Stephens p. 9 Ron Batory set new standard at FRA Brian Solomon p. 10 Looking back at Amtrak at 50 Preservation p. 46 Restoration of B&O EA No. 51 Train-Watching p. 48 Hot spot: Alexandria, […]

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CN touts its bid for Kansas City Southern, rebuts CP criticism

Canadian Pacific and Canadian National trains pass

WASHINGTON – The railroad duel of the 21st century continues. In a letter to federal regulators, Canadian National today touted its “superior” bid for Kansas City Southern and sought to correct “misleading statements” that Canadian Pacific made this week about a potential CN-KCS merger. Last month CP and KCS reached a friendly, $29 billion deal […]

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Metra seeks to convert three diesels to battery power

Illustration of Metra locomotive in green versioin of paint scheme

CHICAGO — The Metra board of directors has approved a Request for Proposals to convert three of Metra’s F40PH-3 diesels into battery-powered, zero-emission diesels, with the aim of awarding a contract this fall and having the first locomotive delivered 30 months later. “This proposal could be game-changing,” Metra Executive Director/CEO Jim Derwinski said in a […]

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Digest: Senate Republicans release $568 billion infrastructure proposal

A Metro-North train heads north through Westport, Conn

Republican infrastructure proposal includes $61 billion for transit, $20 billion for rail Senate Republicans have released a $568 billion infrastructure plan to counter the $2.3 trillion plan proposed by President Joe Biden. The website The Hill reports the Republican plan defines infrastructure more narrowly, emphasizing roads, railroads, public transit, airports, wastewater system and broadband infrastructure. […]

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Digest: BNSF train derails in Southern California desert

Damaged intermodal cars and containers

No injuries as BNSF intermodal train derails near Barstow About 15 cars of a BNSF Railway intermodal train derailed Thursday at Jimgray, Calif., about 24 miles northwest of Barstow on the railroad’s Mojave Subdivision. The San Bernardino County Fire Department reports on Twitter that it responded to the accident about 6 a.m., but there were […]

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Union Pacific warily watching CP-CN battle for Kansas City Southern

Train with two locomotives and hopper cars on track parallelling street

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific is closely watching the battle for Kansas City Southern and how an acquisition by either Canadian Pacific or Canadian National could affect its cross-border traffic. UP CEO Lance Fritz notes that U.S. regulations require that mergers between Class I railroads must enhance competition and improve service for all shippers. “For […]

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Canadian National accuses Canadian Pacific of misleading KCS investors

Canadian National logo

MONTREAL – Canadian National today rebutted Canadian Pacific’s criticism of its dueling bid for Kansas City Southern, saying its higher offer is superior, will enhance competition, and clear regulatory hurdles. “Rather than acknowledge the clear and substantial superiority of CN’s proposal for KCS shareholders, CP has sought to distract investors and attack CN’s proposal with a […]

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New York governor, MTA unveil proposals for Penn Station reconstruction

Artist's rendering of inside of train station with massive skylights

NEW YORK — Natural lighting from huge skylights, spacious concourses, and dramatic entrances are key features of a dramatically reconfigured Penn Station under reconstruction options announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and renderings released by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The plans announced Wednesday offer two options — one that would retain the current two-level boarding configuration […]

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Digest: CTA begins in-service testing of new CRRC railcars

Rapid transit cars

Chicago Transit Authority begins testing in-service of new railcars on Blue Line The Chicago Transit Authority announced Wednesday it has begun in-service testing for its newest railcars, the 7000-series cars being built by CRRC Sifang, an affiliate of Chinese rail equipment giant CRRC, at its Hegewisch plant on Chicago’s Far South Side. The cars are […]

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