Gulf Coast hearing, week 3: Mobile rail executive outlines train movements; Amtrak witnesses criticize randomized data

WASHINGTON — Switching details and conflicting traffic modeling assumptions dominated discussions at the Surface Transportation Board’s hearing into Amtrak plans to launch passenger service between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala. The seventh and eighth days of testimony and cross-examination, spread over three weeks, on the dispute over plans for two daily Amtrak round trips precedes […]

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CN raises new train count data issues around CP-KCS merger

WASHINGTON — Canadian National claims it has found additional train count inconsistencies in the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger application and related environmental filings. The Surface Transportation Board last month put review of the CP-KCS merger on hold until discrepancies in train density data could be sorted out. CP has provided the board with clarification […]

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News & Products for the week of April 21, 2022

Large scale locomotives 2-6-0 Mogul steam locomotive. Denver & Rio Grande Western (yellow and black) and Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (green and black with desert Southwest painting on tender). One road number per scheme. Dual-mode SoundTraxx sound decoder; separate, factory-applied tank piping, handrails, and ladders; and detailed cab interior with engineer figure. $699.99. June […]

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News & Products for the week of April 21, 2022

Product news 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. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of April 21, 2022.   HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Diesel SD70ACe diesel locomotive. […]

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Jason Shron’s HO scale Kingston Subdivision layout

Facts & features Name: Kingston Subdivision Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 12 x 45 feet Prototype: VIA Rail Canada, Canadian National, GO Transit, and Canadian Pacific Locale: Toronto, Ont., to Brockville, Ont. Era: November/December 1980 Style: multi-deck around-the-walls Mainline run: 310 feet scenicked, plus 245 feet in helix Minimum radius: 36″ (main), 30″ (freight-only lines) Minimum […]

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Ontario short line keeps GM traffic moving after CN snafu

The Ontario Southland Railway helped keep General Motors plants humming when a bridge clearance issue arose after a track project on Canadian National. CN, which handles the majority of traffic in St. Thomas, Ontario, suffered a line outage on the Talbot Spur when a program to fix track in the St. Thomas yard resulted in […]

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CP doesn’t expect traffic data issue to change KCS merger timeline

BALTIMORE – Canadian Pacific CEO Keith Creel doesn’t expect a traffic density data issue to delay the overall timeline for regulatory review of the CP-Kansas City Southern merger. The Surface Transportation Board on March 16 suspended its review of the CP-KCS deal pending resolution of a discrepancy in the baseline traffic figures the railroads used […]

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Ethanol producers complain about snarled rail service

WASHINGTON – The trade group representing ethanol producers has told federal regulators that its members are experiencing significant rail service delays and disruptions that could lead to higher gasoline prices. “While we certainly understand that a variety of factors have contributed to these rail disruptions, it is imperative that all possible actions be taken by […]

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FRA administrator sees longer trains as rationale for two-person crews

BALTIMORE — Autonomous trucks are beginning to roam highways with the blessing of the Department of Transportation, yet the Federal Railroad Administration wants to mandate two-person train crews. Why is the regulatory playing field different for trucks and trains, FRA Administrator Amit Bose was asked at a shippers’ conference on Thursday. “We think having a […]

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Federal regulators to hold hearings on rail service problems

WASHINGTON – Federal regulators have ordered officials from BNSF Railway, CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific to appear a two-day hearing this month regarding ongoing rail service problems. The Surface Transportation Board announced on Thursday that it will hold the public hearings on April 26 and 27. The announcement comes in the wake of […]

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Midday Modeler — 04.06.2022 the toy train episode

Midday Modeler — 04.06.2022: This week! Classic Toy Trains Editor Hal Miller hosts the weekly Midday Modeler broadcast. If you’ve never experienced a modern toy train locomotive, Hal is here to set you up. First off, Hal demonstrates a modern O-gauge MTH locomotive decorated for Canadian Pacific and running on the City Terminal & Transfer […]

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