KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern’s main line to the Mexican Port of Lazaro Cardenas has been blocked by teacher’s union protests for 45 straight days, putting a dent in the railway’s overall traffic and revenue. The blockage of the line to Mexico’s busiest port is responsible for a 3% decline in KCS’s fourth-quarter […]
Section: News & Reviews
Digest: OmniTRAX CEO Shuba takes new position with parent company
Tuesday morning rail news: OmniTRAX CEO Shuba takes new role with parent company Kevin Shuba, CEO of short line company OmniTRAX since 2013, has accepted a new role with parent company The Broe Group, and will lead development of a company-wide growth plan for the multi-billion-dollar organization. Sergio Sabatini, OmniTRAX president since joining the company […]
CN celebrates 25th anniversary of privatization, unveils heritage locomotives
MONTREAL — Canadian National has unveiled a set of heritage locomotives as it celebrates today’s 25th anniversary of the initial public offering that marks its privatization from a government-owned Crown Corporation. In its 25 years as a private corporation, CN has acquired the Illinois Central; Wisconsin Central; Elgin, Joliet & Eastern; and BC Rail. Those […]
New model trains for the week of November 19, 2020
HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division F-series diesel locomotives. Burlington Northern (Northern Pacific “Pinetree” scheme patchout; F7A, F7B, and F7A-B set in one road number each), Denver & Rio Grande Western (Aspen Gold, silver, and black; F9B in one number; F9A-B set in two numbers), Milwaukee Road (1970s orange and black; F7A in one number and […]
Digest: South Shore ends ‘mask optional’ cars
Monday afternoon rail news: With new state rules in effect, South Shore ends ‘mask optional’ cars South Shore Line commuter trains have done away with their “mask optional” car after Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb issued an executive order on Friday on mask rules to try to help slow the state’s surge in COVID-19 cases. The […]
Digest: Pennsylvania plan calls for second daily Pittsburgh-New York train
More Monday morning rail news: Pennsylvania rail plan calls for second Pittsburgh-New York train The draft version of a new Pennsylvania state rail plan includes a goal of adding a second daily train between Pittsburgh and New York City, beginning in the 2023-24 fiscal year. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports the feasibility of the plan and […]
Digest: Jupiter, Fla., seeks fencing along Brightline route
Still more Monday morning rail news: Jupiter, Fla., requests fencing along Brightline route Jupiter, Fla., is asking Brightline to erect fencing along its right-of-way in anticipation of the start of Miami-Orlando service, which is projected to begin in 2023. The Palm Beach Post reports the city and passenger operator have looked at fencing the Pine […]
Digest: Date, site set for trial seeking damages from Durango & Silverton for fire
Monday morning tourist railroad and preservation news: Trial seeking fire damages from Durango & Silverton to be held in Denver The trial in which the U.S. government will seek to recover $25 million from the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for the cost of fighting a 2018 wildfire will take place in Denver, a […]
Digest: Brightline nears halfway mark in Orlando expansion work
Monday morning rail news: Brightline expansion work about 45% complete, company says Brightline’s northward expansion from West Palm Beach to Orlando, Fla., is about 45% complete and on target to complete construction in 2022, according to a presentation by Michael Cegelis, executive vice president of infrastructure development, during a meeting last week of the Central […]
John Bush, Cumbres & Toltec president and GM, retires
CHAMA, N.M. — John Bush, president and general manager of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, is retiring after eight years overseeing the narrow gauge railroad. “John has been an incredible asset to the Cumbres & Toltec and has poured his heart and soul into the organization,” Dan Love, chairman of the Cumbres & Toltec […]
FRA publishes final rule setting Amtrak performance standards for host railroads (updated)
WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration has issued its final rule establishing metrics and a minimum standard to measure on-time performance and service quality for Amtrak trains, a rule hailed by the passenger railroad as “a victory for Amtrak customers.” The rule requires Amtrak and host railroads to certify Amtrak schedules, sets an on-time minimum […]
News Photo: CN heritage diesel makes debut run
The first Canadian National heritage unit to lead a train departs Toronto’s Macmillan Yard on Sunday on Train X376. ET44AC No. 3115 is painted in the red, white, and blue BC Rail “hockey stick” paint scheme. CN is commemorating the 25th anniversary of its initial public offering marking the company’s privatization, ending its status as […]