Locomotive prime movers used today

Locomotive prime movers: A multicolored prime mover in a locomotive body in a cavernous shop without the locomotive's exterior body work or shell.

Locomotive prime movers are the engines inside all diesel-electric locomotives and are the heart of the entire locomotive. Prime movers provide enough power to pull both the locomotive and any freight cars attached to it, while also producing enough extra output to support the power needs of the various systems on the locomotive such as […]

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BNSF announces $3.9 billion capital spending plan for 2024

Double-stack container train passing maintenance equipment

FORT WORTH — BNSF Railway will spend $3.92 billion on capital projects this year, the railroad announced today. “This year’s capital plan reflects our continued commitment to growth, by ensuring we have the capacity and equipment needed to support our customers,” CEO Katie Farmer said in a statement. “We continue to invest in our network […]

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CSX fourth-quarter profits decline despite volume growth

Locomotive with mix of freight cars

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX expects to gain merchandise, intermodal, and export coal volume this year partly due to improved service, executives said today while announcing fourth-quarter financial results. “Throughout 2023, our railroad demonstrated reliable, industry-leading network performance, and the ONE CSX team delivered consistent results through a dynamic economic environment by focusing on excellent customer […]

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U.S. rail traffic declines for week ending Jan. 20

Association of American Railroads logo

WASHINGTON — Total U.S. weekly rail traffic was down 13.2% last week compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads reported today. Total carloads for the week ending Jan. 20 were down 22.4% compared with the same week in 2023, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was down 4.5% compared to 2023. […]

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STB streamlines emergency service regulations

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board today adopted a final rule to amend its emergency service regulations in order to provide immediate relief for shippers in certain situations. The rule, adopted unanimously, clarifies that the board may act on its own initiative to direct emergency rail service. It also establishes an accelerated process for review […]

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Senate confirms three nominees for Amtrak board

Man speaking at hearing

WASHINGTON — For the first time in more than eight years, the Amtrak board of directors has new members. The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed the nominations of Christopher Koos, Anthony Coscia, and Joel Szabat to serve on the board, the first time the Senate has confirmed board members since 2015. Koos, the mayor of […]

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Maya Train ticket sales suspended

Three trains at station

CANCÚN, Mexico — Ticket sales for the Maya Train passenger rail operation have been halted barely three weeks after service was inaugurated between Cancun and Palenque on Jan. 1, the Cancún Sun reports, following “significant technical issues” on Friday, Jan. 19. Operations have been stopped indefinitely while workers perform inspections to determine the cause of […]

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Second CRRC trainset enters service on MBTA’s Red Line

Rapid transit trainset in factory

BOSTON — A second trainset of equipment built by China’s CRRC has begun running on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Red Line — three years after the first such train entered operation, the website Streetsblog Mass reports. The second trainset entered service earlier this month, an MBTA spokesman confirmed to the website. The first had […]

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CN revenue and profits decline in fourth quarter, but railway expects growth this year

Intermodal train with one red and black locomotive on curve

MONTREAL – Canadian National expects traffic to bounce back this year due to a combination of an improving economy and the railway’s own growth projects, executives said today while announcing fourth-quarter results that included lower volume, revenue, and profits. “Through 2023, our team of dedicated railroaders leveraged our scheduled operating model to deliver exceptional service […]

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CSX recognized for improving service

CSX logo

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX was named the recipient of the inaugural W.F. Thompson Award for Class I Operating Performance for 2023. The award, presented by analyst firm Loop Capital, is designed to recognize the Class I railroad with the best operational performance in a calendar year. “By any measure, CSX had a strong year in […]

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York-Durham Heritage Railway ceasing operations

logo screenshot

UXBRIDGE, Ontario — After nearly 30 years of operation, the York-Durham Heritage Railway is shutting down for good. The railroad said it is ceasing operations immediately and has filed for insolvency protection. The announcement came just days after President and CEO John Perks resigned. The railroad opened Sept. 14, 1996 and operated on 12 miles […]

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