Union Pacific sets quarterly marks for operating ratio and profits

Container train with two yellow locomotives

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific set third-quarter records for operating ratio, profits, and earnings per share despite flat traffic volume and the impact of wildfires and bad weather that hurt service reliability. “The Union Pacific team dealt with multiple network disruptions that required us to rebuild bridges, reroute trains, and connect more closely with other […]

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Review: Rapido HO scale New Look bus

Three Rapido New Look buses in varying paint schemes

Rapido has returned with the second release of its HO scale New Look buses, and this time the vehicles are packed with an array of intricate details and new features that come together to create a model that impresses with its levels of realism. The New Look buses were originally built by General Motors in […]

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News and analysis: State budget cap threatens second Missouri River Runner round trip (updated)

Passenger train at station platform

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri River Runner, Amtrak’s state-supported St. Louis-Kansas City, Mo., train, is facing a reduction from two daily round trips because of a budget cap imposed by the Missouri Legislature. The $10.8 million limit imposed by the legislature is for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, but that will not […]

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California passenger rail corridors form ‘advocacy coalition’

High-angle view of regional Amtrak train at station

WASHINGTON — Unsatisfied with their individual efforts, California’s three entities operating intercity passenger rail corridors announced Wednesday that they have formed a coalition to jointly advocate for their operations. The agencies operating Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor, Pacific Surfliners, and San Joaquin will be linked in an organization known as CIRCLE, an acronym that stands for California’s […]

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Improperly adjusted bolts led to Ottawa light rail derailment

Red and white light rail train

OTTAWA — Improperly adjusted bolts led to the Sept. 19 derailment that has shut down Ottawa’s O-Train Confederation Line, according to a Wednesday report to the city’s transit commission. CTV News reports Rideau Transit Group, which has the operating and maintenance contract for the Confederation Line, said improperly torqued bolts on the train’s gearbox were […]

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Tri-Rail to restore service to pre-pandemic levels on Oct. 25

Commuter train with blue locomotive and bilevel cars

MIAMI — South Florida commuter rail operator Tri-Rail will restore service to full pre-pandemic levels as of Monday, Oct. 25, operating 25 round trips on weekdays and 15 on weekends. The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority announced the schedule change on Wednesday. WFOR-TV reports Steven Abrams, the authority’s executive director, said, “Tri-Rail has had one […]

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CSX profits surge as railroad steps up crew hiring effort

Train on bridge along river

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation’s third-quarter profits, revenue, and volume all grew thanks to strong freight demand and the railroad’s acquisition of a bulk chemical trucking company. But executives said the railroad would have been able to handle more traffic if not for a persistent worker shortage, as well as the impact of the spike […]

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Amtrak asks STB to compel cooperation by CSX in Gulf Coast case

Crowd greets passenger train

WASHINGTON — Amtrak has asked the Surface Transportation to take action on two fronts on its pending request for a ruling enabling it to start passenger service between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala. The company is requesting that the board order CSX and Norfolk Southern to provide access to their properties to prepare for the […]

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Whippany museum restores 2-8-0 to Morris County Central paint scheme

Steam locomotive with green and gold paint coupled to heavyweight passenger car

WHIPPANY, N.J. — A well-known artifact of 1960s and 1970s tourist railroading has been restored to its appearance from that era. Whippany Railway Museum’s 1907 Baldwin-built Southern Railway Class H4 2-8-0 No. 385 has been repainted into the green and gold scheme it wore for the Morris County Central tourist railroad 50 years ago. The […]

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John Vavra’s HO scale Santa Fe Lines

Track plan overview

Facts & features Name: Santa Fe Lines Scale: HO (1:87.1) and HOn3 (36″ narrow gauge) Size: 20 x 22 feet Prototype: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Locale: Northern Arizona/Southwestern Colorado Era: 1994 Style: walk-in Mainline run: 150 feet (Santa Fe) plus 110 feet (D&S) Minimum radius: 24″ (ATSF), […]

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