OMAHA, Neb. — How can railroads compete with autonomous or electric trucks that would dramatically reduce the cost of trucking? “Ultimately, our answer to autonomous trucks is autonomous trains,” Union Pacific CEO Lance Fritz says. A first step toward automation is reducing crew size where feasible, Fritz said during the railroad’s investor day Tuesday. UP […]
OMAHA, Neb. — With a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 26% by the end of the decade, Union Pacific is working to improve locomotive fuel efficiency, plans to roll out battery-electric locomotives soon, and is exploring alternatives to the diesel-electric. “We do not plan on buying any new locomotives — unless it’s battery-electric locomotives […]
South Shore faces decision after receiving higher-than-expected bids for Double Track project Bids for construction of the South Shore Line’s Double Track project came in higher than expected, leaving the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District to decide whether to accept the lowest bid or reject both offers in an attempt to achieve a lower price. […]
NTSB indicates safety at industrial facilities will be part of investigation of BNSF fatality The National Transportation Safety Board has indicated it will look into safety factors for rail workers at industrial facilities, as well as investigating the cause, after issuing its preliminary report into the fatality of a BNSF Railway crew member at a […]
National Steel Car extends closure to address COVID-19 outbreak Hamilton, Ontario, railcar builder National Steel Car has extended its manufacturing shutdown for an additional week, and now plans to resume operations on Monday, May 17. The company halted manufacturing work because of a COVID-19 outbreak on April 23 [see “Digest: Canadian freight car company halts […]
F unit parade Two Great Northern paint schemes are on display as GN Extra 312-A passes Extra 311-C, waiting in the siding at Floodwood, Minn., on Aug. 16, 1969. Doug Wingfield photo […]
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific is primed for volume growth due to service and cost improvements, a new approach to sales and marketing, and the ongoing rollout of new technology that makes it easier for customers to do business with the railroad. UP executives outlined their growth plans for the next three years during a […]
We enjoy operations on our Weona (we-own-a) Railroad, but we wanted something different for our operating sessions. Here’s how we do it. I made a pair of four-sided dice, one with sides labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4, and the other 1, 2, 3, and blank, giving a possible outcome of 1 to 7, to […]
CSX is honoring veterans and first responders with three specially painted HO scale General Electric ES44AC locomotives. ScaleTrains.com recently sent us all three examples. We took a look in our workshop and tested them out on the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. […]
CSX is honoring veterans and first responders with three specially painted HO scale General Electric ES44AC locomotives. ScaleTrains.com recently sent us all three examples. We took a look in our workshop and tested them out on the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. […]
Citing blocked crossings, Iowa woman seeks to have CP move rail yard An Ottumwa, Iowa, woman has started a petition asking Canadian Pacific to move its railroad yard in the community because of blocked grade crossings that result nearby. KYOU-TV reports Trisha Rea, who works near the intersection of Blackhawk Road and North Quincy Avenue, […]
Sketching with Steve The good old 4 x 8 train table is a tradition – if not a cliché – for a reason: plywood comes in 4 x 8-foot sheets. When our dads or grandpas bought us our first train sets for Christmas, they often nailed that simple oval or figure-8 onto a table made […]
