STB chairman updates status of pending proceedings

Freight train with yellow locomotives in mountains

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board today released an update on the status of 13 pending proceedings, with Board Chairman Patrick Fuchs indicating decisions are expected this month in four of the matters, with draft decisions to be presented in three others. All others should see action by May, according to the press release. Among […]

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Hobbyshop Window for January 30th 2026

Color photo showing picture window end of HO scale theater car painted green and yellow with silver trucks.

For many years Hobbyshop Window was a popular department in the pages of Model Railroader magazine. We’re excited to bring it back as an occasional feature on Trains.com. Here’s a recap of some of the items that arrived at our offices for the week ending January 30th 2026. Keep up to date on the latest […]

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Ivan named CEO of BNSF Logistics

Logo of BNSF Logistifcs

DALLAS — David Ivan has been named president and CEO of BNSF Logistics, a third-party logistics firm and subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway’s Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC. The company announced the move, effective immediately, on Thursday, Jan. 29. Ivan has more than 25 years of experience in leading complex, multi-site operations in manufacturing, logistics, and […]

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BNSF, CSX update storm recovery efforts

Double-stack train in snow

BNSF does not expect full recovery from the winter storm that swept across its network until early next week, the railroad said in a Tuesday, Jan. 27, customer advisory. CSX says in its own Tuesday advisory that it continues to work to fully restore operations, while Union Pacific said Tuesday during its quarterly earnings call […]

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BNSF announces $3.6 billion capital plan for 2026

Double-stack container train passing maintenance equipment

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway will spend $3.6 billion under its 2026 capital plan, the railroad announced today (Jan. 26), with the majority — $2.8 billion — ticketed for infrastructure maintenance. “Our 2026 capital plan focuses on strengthening and modernizing our network so we can continue to meet our customers’ evolving needs,” CEO Katie […]

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CSX, BNSF detail preparations for major winter storm (updated)

An orange BNSF Railway locomotive leads a train over a snow-covered multi-track main line.

CSX and BNSF Railway today outlined plans to deal with the operational challenges from a major winter storm that could affect large portions of both companies’ rail networks. Norfolk Southern also issued a customer advisory in which it said it was preparing for the storm, which is beginning to hit some areas today (Thursday, Jan. […]

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J.B. Hunt says UP-NS merger filing lacks intermodal detail

LOWELL, Ark. — J.B. Hunt executives are disappointed that the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger application did not include more details about the railroads’ intermodal plans. “We continue to digest the application and had expected more intermodal-specific questions to be addressed in the merger application than there were,” Darren Field, president of J.B. Hunt Intermodal, said […]

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BNSF set safety records in 2025

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway had its safest year ever in 2025. The railroad’s employee personal injury rate improved by 10% compared to the old record set in 2023. Rail equipment incidents improved 13%, which BNSF said enabled it to continue to lead the industry. “I am so proud of what our teams were […]

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When railroad merger plans collide with reality: Analysis

Railroads proposing mergers inevitably make ambitious promises and projections, particularly about faster service and more competition. Not all of them become reality, despite the best intentions of railroaders who work at a feverish pace to develop the operating plans submitted to federal regulators. A case in point: CSX, as part of its 1999 acquisition of […]

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Farmer reiterates that BNSF has ‘no interest’ in merger

Two seated women facing each other in on-stage talk

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — BNSF Railway CEO Katie Farmer still doesn’t see further rail industry consolidation as inevitable if a Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger is approved. Just the fact that the topic keeps being discussed could be taken as an argument against the merger, Farmer said in a conversation with Trains prior to her appearance today […]

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