Union Pacific multilevel automobile trains pass east of North Platte, Neb., on the railroad’s Overland Route in June 2018. UP has shifted 70 percent of its automotive traffic out of unit trains and into the merchandise network Bill Stephens OMAHA, Neb. – Union Pacific’s embrace of Precision Scheduled Railroading principles came just two months after […]
Section: News Wire
Western Maryland Scenic acquires F40 to bolster diesel fleet NEWSWIRE
Western Maryland Scenic has acquired F40 No. 450 for its tourist railroad at Cumberland, Md. WMS: John Garner CUMBERLAND, MD. — Look for a new face on Helmstetter’s Curve this fall. Western Maryland Scenic Railroad tells Trains Newswire today that it has acquired an F40PHR, rebuilt into an F40M-2F, No. 450, from Larry’s Truck Electric […]
Amtrak now aims to continue running all routes, even if they aren’t PTC-compliant NEWSWIRE
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In written testimony at last week’s congressional hearing on positive train control, Amtrak backed away from earlier statements indicating it would not operate on lines without PTC. The written testimony by Scot Naparstek, Amtrak’s chief operating officer, was offered at the Sept. 13 hearing of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s […]
Railroads on the mend after Hurricane Florence NEWSWIRE
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – As remnants of Hurricane Florence drench parts of central Appalachia Monday, railroads in the Carolinas are in the process of restoring rail service, evaluating flood damages, and cleaning up a derailment. In a weekend customer service advisory issued by CSX Transportation, the railroad confirmed rail service had been restored in the […]
Steamtown eyes the next restoration candidate NEWSWIRE
SCRANTON, Pa. — While work continues on Boston & Maine 4-6-2 No. 3713, Steamtown National Historic Site is already considering what locomotive it will restore next and the shortlist includes a surprising candidate. Steamtown Superintendent Deborah Conway tells Trains News Wire that Canadian National 2-8-2 No. 3377 is a “likely candidate” for restoration once the […]
UP adopts precision scheduled railroading with Unified Plan 2020 NEWSWIRE
UP Monday announced plans to reorganize its system following precision scheduled railroading principles. This southbound auto rack train was at Nunn, Colo., in June 2018. Trains: Jim Wrinn OMAHA, Neb. – Union Pacific today announced its Unified Plan 2020, a new operating plan that implements Precision Scheduled Railroading principles. Unified Plan 2020 will launch Oct. […]
Bottling the air led to 2017 Quebec runaway NEWSWIRE
DORVAL, Quebec – In its investigation report (R17Q0061) released today, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) determined that bottling of the air in the brake pipe during switching operations led to the July 2017 uncontrolled movement of rail cars in Mai, located 128 miles north of Sept-Îles, Quebec. On 25 July 2017, a southbound […]
First shell for Avelia Liberty power car is completed NEWSWIRE
An artist’s conception of the Avelia Liberty trainset. Amtrak/Alstom Merrill Technologies and Alstom personnel pose with the first completed Avelia Liberty power car shell. Pete Hudeck, Merrill Technologies NEW YORK — The Avelia Liberty, the next-generation high speed trainset for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor service, reached a construction milestone this week, as the first body shell […]
Montana short line paints locomotives in honor of local high schools NEWSWIRE
A Mission Mountain Railroad locomotive shows off its new paint scheme honoring a local high school. Justin Franz COLUMBIA FALLS, Mont. — Watco’s Mission Mountain Railroad has painted two GP39-2 locomotives in the colors of two area high schools, a major departure from the regular Watco black and yellow livery. WAMX No. 3942 has been […]
Age of Steam Roundhouse hires executive director NEWSWIRE
Ohio’s Age of Steam Roundhouse has a new executive director for the Sugarcreek landmark. Trains: Jim Wrinn SUGARCREEK, Ohio — A Pennsylvania museum director has been named executive director of the Age of Steam Roundhouse and the Jerry and Laura Jacobson Foundation. Noel B. Poirier began his new duties on July 16. Poirier had been […]
Analysis: Amtrak trends continue in exploration of outside food service providers
The lone breakfast offering on the Lake Shore Limited on Sept. 13, 2018. Amtrak is seeking information for possible outsourcing of its food service. WASHINGTON — Claiming to look for “transformational service models and industry best practices for Managed Food and Beverage Service,” Amtrak issued a request for information on Aug. 31 that could lead […]
CN export coal traffic ramping up in Canada and U.S. NEWSWIRE
Canadian National’s coal traffic. Canadian National DANA POINT, Calif. — Canadian National coal traffic, already up sharply this year, will continue to grow this fall and winter as export coal production ramps up at mines in Western Canada. “Coal is a huge opportunity for us,” Paul Butcher, CN’s vice president of investor relations, told an […]