OMAHA, Neb. – Union Pacific has cut more than 60 dispatching positions at its Harriman Dispatching Center in Omaha and its joint dispatching office in Spring, Texas, this week. The affected dispatchers, who are management employees, were notified on Thursday and Friday that their jobs were being eliminated, according to a person familiar with the […]
Magazine: Trains Magazine
Environmental documents complete for Long Bridge project
WASHINGTON — Environmental planning has been completed for the Long Bridge Project to build a new rail bridge across the Potomac River, addressing a major capacity bottleneck for freight and passenger service through the District of Columbia and Virginia. The project will add a second two-track rail bridge adjacent to the current bridge, which currently […]
Digest: Northwest Railway Museum to reopen Train Shed
Friday morning preservation news: Northwest Railway Museum to reopen Train Shed Exhibit Hall The Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, Wash., will reopen its Train Shed Exhibit Hall on Sept. 11, which had been closed because of COVID-19 pandemic measures. The museum says the 24,000-square-foot hall includes many of its most significant artifacts. The museum is […]
Digest: CP, CN shoot down Saskatoon’s concept of shared main line
Friday morning rail news: CN, CP call Saskatoon shared-main proposal ‘unworkable’ The proposal by the city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to have Canadian National and Canadian Pacific share a rail corridor through the city to decrease traffic disruptions has been shot down by both railroads. CTV News reports both railroads sent letters to City Manager Jeff […]
Digest: Canadian government sets rules for locomotive video, voice recorders
More Friday morning rail news: Canadian government sets rules for in-cab voice, video recorders Most railroads in Canada have two years to install “black box” video and voice recorders on their locomotives according to regulations published by the Canadian government, a requirement that has a rail union voicing concerns about worker privacy. The CBC reports […]
Digest: BNSF to take over route operated by California short line
More Friday rail news: Pacific Sun Railroad to discontinue operations; BNSF to take over BNSF Railway will take over operation of San Diego-area lines currently served by short line Pacific Sun Railroad, according to a petition filed with the Surface Transportation Board. Pacific Sun’s lease to operate the 21.3 Escondido Subdivision and 0.3 mile Miramar […]
Caboose donated to Conrail Historical Society
LITTLE FERRY, N.J. — The Conrail Historical Society has added to its collection with the donation by CSX of caboose No. 22130, which continued to wear its Conrail blue paint until its retirement earlier this year. The extended-vision cupola caboose was built in August 1970 by International Car Co. for the Reading Co., and transferred […]
Group asks STB for OK to build new rail line in Kentucky, Tennessee
WASHINGTON — A group representing development agencies in Kentucky and Tennessee has filed a request with the Surface Transportation Board that would allow it to build a new 12-mile rail line connecting two existing short lines to better serve a Kentucky river port. Ken Tenn Regional Rail Partners, a non-profit corporation created by the Fulton […]
Frame, running gear for SP locomotive arrive at Niles Canyon Railway
SUNOL, Calif. – The last major piece of a significant California steam locomotive has returned to the Golden State. On Wednesday, a truck delivered the frame and running gear for Southern Pacific 2-6-0 No. 1744 to the Pacific Locomotive Association. The 1901 Baldwin will be rebuilt for operation on the association’s Niles Canyon Railway. The […]
Digest: Two operators cancel holiday trains
Tourist railroad and preservation news for Thursday: Michigan’s Steam Railroading Institute cancels all 2020 excursions The Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, Mich., has decided not to operate any excursions this year, meaning its annual Fall Colors Tours and North Pole Express trips are off for 2020. “The operation of excursion trains is identified among the […]
Digest: Investment groups make new offer to buy Kansas City Southern
Thursday morning rail news: Report: Investment groups make new bid to buy Kansas City Southern Two investment groups have made a new offer to buy Kansas City Southern after a previous bid was rebuffed, the Wall Street Journal reports in a paywalled article. Details of the bid by Blackstone Group Inc. and Global Infrastructure Partners […]
Digest: Business group forms to push for commuter service on Brightline route
More Thursday morning rail news: Miami-area groups form organization to push for commuter service on Brightline route Miami-area business groups have organized to push for a proposal that would see commuter operations on the southernmost part of Brightline’s route between West Palm Beach, Fla., and Miami. Bisnow.com reports organizations including the Wynwood Business Improvement District, […]