Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern to file merger application on Friday

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern will file their merger application with federal regulators on Friday, the railroads said today. The document, which will be filed with the Surface Transportation Board, will allow the railroads to show how their combination will deliver economic benefits, enhance competition, and protect union jobs, the railroads said. […]

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Engineer and trackworker unions to oppose UP-NS merger

Two crew members stand next to their train as another train passes

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division will oppose the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger despite UP’s promises of lifetime job protection. “This debt-ridden tie-up won’t make rail more competitive with trucks as merger proponents claim,” BLET National President Mark Wallace said in a statement on Wednesday […]

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Fall 2025

The fall 2025 cover of Classic Trains magazine, which features a steam locomotive in a black and white photograph

Welcome – Never stop learning Head End – A potpourri of railroad history, then and now Fast Mail – Letters from our readers True Color – Rush hour at Kansas City The Way It Was  – Tales from railfans and railroaders Looking Back – Santa Fe all the way […]

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News Photos: Flooding on BNSF in Washington

BNSF Railway crews worked over the weekend to repair flood-damaged sections of the railroad in Washington state, which was hit by record rainfall last week. Some areas of western Washington and Oregon received 10 to 17 inches of rain, which is more than some locations receive in a month, BNSF said in a customer advisory […]

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Spaces to Places VIII | Disguising a backdrop opening, Part 2

Host Gerry Leone continues to innovate on his HO scale Bona Vista layout, tackling a major scenic problem—concealing the hole in the upper-deck backdrop where trains emerge from a helix. See how Gerry modifies a Walthers Brick Freight House kit to create the perfect illusion. Plus, you’ll see how he adds realistic mortar lines to […]

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NS and CPKC are trying to iron out differences over Meridian Speedway

Map of eastern U.S. highlighting route between Meridian, Miss., and Shreveport, La.

WASHINGTON — Norfolk Southern told federal regulators this week that it hopes to smooth over its dispute with Canadian Pacific Kansas City regarding operations over their joint Meridian Speedway. But NS also said it disagrees with nearly everything CPKC has told the Surface Transportation Board about service over the 302-mile corridor that runs from Meridian, […]

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December 2025

The December 2025 cover of Trains magazine, which features a black steam locomotive advancing towards the camera

In every issue News, p. 4 Steve Angel replaces Joe Hinrichs as CSX chief executive officer Bill Stephens, p. 14 Three days in August will shape the merger debate John P. Hankey, p. 16 Will there be one big railroad? Preservation, p. 40 The National Railroad Museum opens its riverfront expansion Brian Solomon, p. 44 […]

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