Any way you look at it, Canadian Pacific’s proposed acquisition of Kansas City Southern is a blockbuster deal. It creates the first railroad to link the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. It gives shippers from both railroads more single-line service options. And it will boost competition – with other railroads and, more importantly, trucks – in […]
Video: Pikes Peak snow blower makes debut
MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. — The Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway’s new rotary snow blower made its debut on Friday, April 9, clearing the rebuild cog rail line for the first time. The new snowblower, produced by Zaugg in Eggiwill, Switzerland, has the capability of cutting through drifts up to 10 feet tall and 20 […]
Digest: DC Metro issues new order on emergency response after March 26 incident
New DC Metro order requires full emergency response for all breakdowns DC Metro has issued an order requiring employees to initiate a full emergency response to any breakdown of a train, bus, or MetroAccess vehicle in the wake of several unreported incidents, including a small-scale runaway train incident, the Washington Post reports. An internal memo […]
Digest: NJ Transit study could lead to end of ‘Princeton Dinky’
NJ Transit study considers alternatives to ‘Princeton Dinky’ rail service NJ Transit is conducting a study that could lead to replacement of the “Princeton Dinky,” the 2.7-mile rail operation using two-car Arrow III trainsets to connect the Northeast Corridor’s Princeton Junction station to the Princeton University campus that is the shortest scheduled commuter rail line […]
Colorado bill would create Front Range Passenger Rail District
DENVER — Four Democrats and two Republicans have introduced a bill in the Colorado Senate to establish the Front Range Passenger Rail District, extending across the state from the Wyoming state line to the New Mexico line, to plan, build, operate and maintain passenger service connecting the major cities along the east side of the […]
Digest: Former Amtrak official Stadtler named executive director of Virginia rail agency
Stadtler named as first executive director of Virginia Passenger Rail Authority Donald A. (DJ) Stadtler Jr. has been named as the first executive director of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, the agency established by the state legislature in 2020 to promote, sustain, and expand passenger and commuter rail service in the state. Gov. Ralph Northam […]
Diesel locomotive slug profile
Non-powered slugs help diesel locomotives move trains at lower speeds. Trains move at various speeds for different reasons. Moving trains from coast to coast requires high-horsepower locomotives to maintain high speeds. Local trains serving online customers or switch jobs in yards can use lower horsepower locomotives, since their top speed is much lower than a […]
NS Trash Train consigned to the dumpster of history
ROANOKE, Va. — For more than a quarter century, at approximately 5:30 p.m., a Norfolk Southern crew would report in Roanoke and start train V60, commonly known as the “Star City Stinker” or “Trash Train.” No more. The Monday-through-Friday operation would start just east of Roanoke’s famed East End Shops and travel 30 miles west […]
Progress continues on Mark Twain Zephyr restoration
TREGO, Wis. — Wisconsin Great Northern continues to make progress in its effort to restore the Mark Twain Zephyr to operation. The railroad acquired the four-car articulated trainset, plus a spare car from the original Pioneer Zephyr, in 2020. Built in 1935, the train is the fourth of nine complete Zephyr trainsets built by the […]
Digest: Metrolink’s Wiggins to become LA Metro CEO
Metrolink’s Wiggins named as new LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins, currently CEO of Los Angeles-area commuter railroad Metrolink, will become the first female CEO of LA Metro, the Los Angeles-area transportation agency which operates buses, light rail, has a hand in highway projects and is one of the five county transportation agencies which oversees Metrolink. […]
Digest: Amtrak service in Vermont to resume July 19
Vermont agency announces July 19 return for Amtrak service Amtrak service in Vermont will resume July 19, the state Agency of Transportation has announced. Intercity bus service will also resume on that date. “We are very pleased to announce the restart of these vital transportation services for Vermonters and those who wish to travel to […]
Intermodal gains help Class I traffic in first quarter
All of the big six Class I railroads notched volume gains in the first quarter as robust intermodal growth overcame slight declines in carload volume. Intermodal volume is on a tear as retailers aim to keep store shelves and online order fulfillment centers full due to consumers spending more on goods than services during the […]