Canadian National’s operations are returning to normal through Jasper, Alberta, where wildfires devastated part of the town and shut down rail traffic last week. CN resumed service on Friday, and by Sunday volume through Jasper had rebounded to nearly pre-fire levels, according to data from RailState, which monitors rail traffic using a network of sensors […]
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Union Pacific intermodal train derails in Iowa
GLIDDEN, Iowa — An estimated 36 cars of a Union Pacific intermodal train derailed Monday evening about a mile east of Glidden, Carroll Broadcasting reports on its website. No injuries were reported, and no hazardous materials were involved, a Union Pacific spokesman told the radio stations. The derailment occurred about 5 p.m., blocking both grade […]
Why U.S. railroads are seeing intermodal growth through first half of 2024: Analysis
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Most large U.S. railroads are handling more intermodal this year as geopolitical issues and domestic port labor talks weigh on how importers move containers. Each Class I railroad’s intermodal business, with the exception of Canadian Pacific Kansas City, is outperforming last year. BNSF Railway is leading the pack, up 394,000 units, or […]
Amtrak begins management of Washington Union Station
WASHINGTON — Amtrak on Monday announced plans for renovations and operational improvements at Washington Union Station as a result of a court ruling granting it control of the station. As of Monday, July 29, the passenger rail company is responsible for the day-to-day management and operations of the station, and said it will immediately initiate […]
News & Products for the week of July 29th 2024
News & Products for the week of July 29th 2024 Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of July 29th […]
Overview: JD Vance and rail safety
Before Donald Trump chose Ohio’s JD Vance as his candidate for vice president, the U.S. Marine Corps veteran, lawyer, and author of “Hillbilly Elegy” gained the national spotlight as one of the authors of The Railway Safety Act of 2023. The bipartisan legislation — sponsored by six U.S. Senators, three Republicans and three Democrats — […]
Atlas O Summer 2024 Premier catalog
The Atlas O Summer 2024 Premier catalog was released in late July. The 52-page publication features three models new to the manufacturer’s product lineup, including a General Electric (GE) C44-9W, an Electro-Motive Division (EMD) GP38-2, and a Union Tank Car Co. Funnel Flow tank car. All of the items mentioned here are scheduled for release […]
Former Kansas City Southern CEO Ottensmeyer dies
Former Kansas City Southern CEO Patrick Ottensmeyer — who led the cross-border railroad through turmoil over free trade, the transition to a Precision Scheduled Railroad operating model, and its historic merger with Canadian Pacific — died July 26. He was 67. “Pat’s vision and leadership played a monumental role in the great history of Kansas […]
Amtrak adds to Texas Eagle capacity with dedicated Sunset through cars: Special report
WASHINGTON — Beginning Sept. 3, the daily Texas Eagle will gain a Superliner sleeping car and coach three days a week in each direction, adding seats, rooms, and revenue on a train that has suffered near-daily sellouts since capacity and amenity downgrades as part of October 2020 cuts driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. The additional […]
Federal grant helps fund rebuilding of Texas branch line
HENDERSON, Texas — A $15 million project to rebuild a former Union Pacific branch line has been announced by the line’s owner, the Rusk County Rural Rail District, and the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority. The Henderson-Overton Branch, an approximately 15-mile line connecting its two namesake communities, has been owned by the district since […]
SunRail sets Aug. 12 for start of service to DeLand
DeLAND, Fla. — Orlando-area commuter service SunRail will begin operations on its new 12-mile northern extension to DeLand on Monday, Aug. 12, the operator has announced. The station, at 2491 Old New York Avenue, is also served by Amtrak’s Silver Meteor and Silver Star. It hosted the first of two open-house events to familiarize prospective […]
Railfan Road: Montana’s U.S. Route 2
Montana’s U.S. Route 2 The former Great Northern “Hi-Line” across Montana is BNSF’s primary route to the Pacific Northwest. The BNSF route across Montana is paralleled by U.S Route 2 instead of an interstate highway and is a boon to the railfan. For 557 miles, U.S. 2 is alongside BNSF from Whitefish in the western […]