Class K-28 2-8-2 No. 476 leads a flanger extra, seen above Shalona Lake just south of Rockwood, Colo., in January 2019. Lawrence Gross DURANGO, Colo. – The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is suspending regular passenger operations through Feb. 23 as southwest Colorado braces for yet another major winter storm. The railroad operates passengers […]
Jim Squires, NS CEO Norfolk Southern NORFOLK, Va. — It would be an understatement to say that Norfolk Southern’s views on Precision Scheduled Railroading have evolved. In November 2015, Jim Squires had been chief executive for barely six months when the wolf — dressed as Canadian Pacific CEO E. Hunter Harrison — came banging on […]
WASHINGTON – The Federal Railroad Administration has issued to Congress the first National Strategy to Prevent Trespassing on Railroad Property. The report examines the causal factors that contribute to trespassing incidents on railroad property, and responds to a U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations request. “Almost every trespasser death or injury is preventable and […]
WASHINGTON – Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Ron Batory has sent a letter to the California High Speed Rail Authority announcing that the federal agency intends to terminate its existing grant agreement and “de-obligate” the entire $928.62 million grant that hasn’t been spent. The letter also states that the FRA is “is exploring all available legal […]
Kansas City Southern MIAMI — Kansas City Southern will stay true to its roots amid implementation of Precision Scheduled Railroading, a term that CEO Patrick Ottensmeyer says often raises concerns among employees, customers, and regulators alike. “There’s nothing about the way we’re going to move forward that is inconsistent with our values and culture,” Ottensmeyer […]
An artist’s rendition of new-to-Metra SD70MACH locomotives. Metra, via Facebook CHICAGO — Metra on Wednesday approved a $71 million contract to purchase 15 remanufactured locomotives from Progress Rail Locomotives with options to buy up to 27 additional locomotives if more funding becomes available. According to a Metra announcement, Progress Rail will take existing EMD SD70MAC freight […]
Patrick Ottensmeyer, Kansas City Southern CEO TRAINS: David Lassen MIAMI — The teachers’ strike and related protests in Mexico — which blocked Kansas City Southern’s key route between Mexico City and the Port of Lazaro Cardenas for nearly a month — will ding the railroad’s earnings per share by 5 cents in the first quarter. […]
The eastbound ‘California Zephyr,’ left, meets a state-funded Capital Corridor train at Sacramento in March 2013. Brian Schmidt WASHINGTON – Amtrak is considering a plan to replace its long-distance train network with new corridors along parts of the same routes, the Wall Street Journal reports. “We are undertaking a major rethinking of the national network […]
With the legalization of recreational marijuana in Canada — and the expectation that pot will become a $5 billion business by 2020 — the rail industry now has a shipping code for cannabis and related products. Effective Feb. 2, a new Standard Transportation Commodity Code, or STCC, went into effect to govern the shipment of […]
Kent, Wash. Google Maps KENT, Wash. — Is there a hamburger powerful enough to stop a train? The Puget Sound region’s rail-transit agency and fans of a local hamburger chain may find out. Sound Transit, the regional authority building and operating a light-rail system in Seattle and its suburbs, recently issued a list of six […]
The National Park Service replica of UP No. 119 moves at Promontory in June 2018. Trains: Jim Wrinn PROMONTORY SUMMIT, Utah — The first block of individual vehicle passes for May 10 has sold out in two weeks. A second block will be available starting at 10 a.m. Mountain Time on April 1, Spike 150, […]
Police investigate the grade crossing accident in Brookfield, Wis., that left the automobile driver dead Monday. Cate Kratville-Wrinn BROOKFIELD, Wis. — A 70-year-old man died Monday when he drove his SUV into the path of Amtrak’s westbound Empire Builder passenger train, according to police reports. The accident happened at 4:15 p.m. at Brookfield Road adjacent […]
