CN profits rise as railway trims costs

MONTREAL — Canadian National reported higher third quarter profits today but announced further belt-tightening as it expects trade disputes and economic uncertainty to weigh on volumes next year. “As we look to 2026, we see another year of limited volume growth, with a weak outlook for North American industrial production and housing starts, and some […]

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UP and NS seek faster merger review as rivals turn up pressure

Yellow and black locomotives leading train of tank cars

Eager to tie the knot, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have asked federal regulators for a faster review of their proposed transcontinental merger, Trains has learned. The Surface Transportation Board in September proposed a roughly 390-day schedule to review the railroads’ $85 billion deal. The calendar includes wiggle room that would allow the board to […]

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SMART-TD ratifies new five-year national agreement

Logo of SMART-TD union

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division has ratified the five-year collective bargaining agreement reached with railroads represented by the National Carriers Conference Committee. The tentative deal had been announced in September [see “SMART-TD reaches national tentative agreement …,” Trains.com, Sept. 16, 2025]. The agreement, covering SMART-TD […]

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CN announces changes to senior management

Canadian National logo

MONTREAL — Canadian National today announced changes to its senior leadership, naming Patrick Whitehead as its chief operating officer and Janet Drysdale as chief commercial officer. Whitehead’s appointment as COO ends CN’s unique approach to developing the operating plan, planning the network of the future, and managing day-to-day operations. Traditionally railroads have a lone chief […]

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Atlas O Premier Fall 2025 catalog

orange and black model engine

The Atlas O Fall 2025 Premier catalog was recently published on the manufacturer’s website. Highlights include: New locomotives GP30 The locomotive includes Proto-Sound 3.0, onboard DCC/DCS decoder, detachable snowplow, O-42 operation, and road-specific ditch lights. Available roadnames: BNSF; NKP; Indiana & Ohio; Norfolk & Western; Raritan Central. Available in 3-rail version only. Price: $729.95. New […]

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Athearn HO wood-chip hopper

Color photo showing B end of HO scale wood-chip hopper painted mineral red with white and black graphics on white background

Athearn HO three-bay offset-side hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $39.99; four-pack, $139.99 Era: 1950s+ to 1970s+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn HO wood-chip hopper features: Body-mounted McHenry plastic scale couplers Injection-molded plastic body Machined metal wheelsets with RP-25 contours Minimum radius, […]

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Evacuation order lifted after CN derailment

Canadian National logo

NORA, Ill.  — Residents of the village of Nora were to be allowed to return to their homes at 6 a.m. today (Friday, Oct. 10) following a Thursday morning derailment of a Canadian National Railway train that led to the evacuation of about 100 people. The Warren, Ill., Fire Department posted that information, from the […]

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Illinois village evacuated after CN derailment

Canadian National logo

NORA, Ill. — About 100 residents of the village of Nora are the subjects of a precautionary evacuation following the derailment of 17 cars of a Canadian National train carrying ethanol early today (Oct. 9, 2025). The Jo Daviess County Emergency Management agency said in a press release that the Warren Fire Department and Joe […]

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Rapido HO Canadian National Hawker Siddeley van

Color photo of HO scale caboose painted red and black with white graphics on white background.

Rapido HO Canadian National Hawker Siddeley van Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $129.95 Manufacturer: Rapido Trains, 382 High St, Buffalo, NY 14204; 905-474-3314; rapidotrains.com Rapido HO Canadian National Hawker Siddeley van features: Clear window glazing Detailed, multi-color interior Detailed underbody with separate air and brake piping End details, including air hoses and uncoupling levers Factory-installed and […]

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VIA Rail delays test of nonstop Montreal-Toronto service

trains under bridge

VIA Rail Canada has postponed its plan to test nonstop service between Montreal and Toronto, CBC reports. VIA Rail had sought to test express train service between Canada’s largest cities beginning Sept. 29, but said it would have to hold off due to “operational constraints” on Canadian National. The express service would shave 30 to […]

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