Global tech outage largely bypasses freight and passenger railroads

U.S. and Canadian railroads appear to be relatively unaffected by the global tech outage that grounded flights and disrupted businesses today, although Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific Kansas City did experience some computer issues. “The CrowdStrike software outage has had varying levels of impact across Union Pacific’s network,” spokeswoman Clarissa Beyah said on Friday morning. […]

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Railroads’ lumber business has weathered high interest rates; Fed interest rate cuts can only help: Analysis

WASHINGTON — Thirty-year-high mortgage rates and a double-digit decrease in U.S. housing starts from a year ago has only curbed Class I railroads’ lumber business by about 3,300 carloads, down just 1%, compared to July 2023. Now proposed Federal interest rate cuts could rejuvenate residential housing starts and give railroads’ lumber business a jolt. U.S. […]

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STB calls hearing for Class I railroads to outline plans for growth

WASHINGTON — Federal regulators are summoning executives from the six Class I freight railroads to a rare public hearing to explain how their companies plan to invest in and grow their business amid concern over recent negative volume trends. In a notice published today (Friday, July 12), the Surface Transportation Board said it also welcomes […]

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CSX joins RailPulse telematics joint venture

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – CSX has become the fourth Class I railroad to join RailPulse, the telematics joint venture that aims to put GPS equipment and sensors on freight cars to monitor their location and health in real time. The announcement, made today, leaves BNSF Railway and Canadian National as the only major systems sitting on […]

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Holiday trains & ‘Polar Express Train Rides’ (2024)

Holiday trains & Polar Express Train Rides (2024) Holiday trains & Polar Express Train Rides (2024): It’s never too early to start planning for a magical train ride with family and friends — especially when tickets go on sale during the spring and summer for some venues. Purchasing a ticket for a holiday ride on […]

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CPKC anticipates continued intermodal growth across its network

Canadian Pacific Kansas City expects to see continued international and cross-border intermodal growth across its network thanks to a combination of ample port capacity and the railway’s ability to tap new markets, CEO Keith Creel says. On the international side, the ports of Vancouver, British Columbia; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico, each […]

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Burlington’s other Zephyrs deserve a spotlight

The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, commonly known as the Burlington Route, had many other Zephyrs. While not as prestigious as the Pioneer, Twin Cities, Mark Twain, Denver and California Zephyrs, these other streamlined trainsets and services, famously named after the Greek God of the West Wind, deserve a spotlight.   Sam Houston Zephyr Fort […]

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Rock Island history remembered

Rock Island history is a mighty good history. In 1847 the Rock Island & La Salle Rail Road was chartered to build between Rock Island, Ill., on the Mississippi River, and La Salle, where connections would be made with the Illinois & Michigan Canal to Chicago. Contractor Henry Farnam persuaded the organizers to extend the […]

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