Intramotev battery-electric hopper debuts on isolated Pennsylvania coal mine railroad

ST. LOUIS – Intramotev, which is converting standard freight cars into autonomous rail vehicles, says it has successfully deployed the world’s first self-propelled battery-electric railcar in a traditional freight train. In what Intramotev called a major step forward for sustainable freight transportation, the company’s ReVolt hopper has run more than 1,000 miles making trips between […]

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Norfolk Southern acquires Chicago transload and warehouse operation

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern has acquired Great Lakes Reload’s Chicago transload warehouse facility, which handles inbound loads of steel and outbound loads of agricultural and construction equipment. NS said the deal, announced on Tuesday, advances its strategy to convert so-called flexible freight to rail. Flexible freight can move via truck or rail. “Transloading solutions play […]

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Classic coal hauler

20190404

Most offset-side hoppers were built to AAR common designs. This two-bay Minneapolis & St. Louis 2,081-cubic-foot-capacity car, built in 1936, is typical of those in service through the 1960s. Classic Trains collection […]

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STB approves proposal for new Utah short line

WASHINGTON – Federal regulators have approved Savage Tooele Railroad’s proposal to build and operate 11 miles of trackage in Utah. Savage Tooele aims to revive Union Pacific’s former 6-mile Warner Branch, restore a quarter mile of ripped-up track, and build 5 miles of new track in the Lakeview Business Park, which is being developed in […]

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FRA issues rule requiring two-person train crews (updated)

BNSF crew change

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration today issued its new final rule generally requiring two-person crews on trains, which it says “enhances safety” and industry group the Association of American Railroads immediately blasted as “unfounded and unnecessary.” The 223-page final rule requires two-person crews except for certain operations “that do not pose significant safety risks […]

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BNSF highlights customer investments in 2023

BNSF Railway logo

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF customers made more than $4.1 billion in investments in 2023, the railroad reports, with BNSF projects from these and other rail-served customers supporting creation of more than 4,200 jobs. The figures are the largest the railroad’s customers and local economic development organizations have made in new or expanded facilities in […]

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News & Products for the week of April 1st 2024

A model tank car in a black paint scheme

News & Products for the week of April 1st 2024   Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of April 1st […]

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STB denies CPKC request to give CN’s acquisition of Iowa Northern a more thorough review

Canadian National and lease locomotive with Iowa Northern locomotives on bridge

WASHINGTON – Federal regulators have rejected Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s contention that Canadian National’s proposed acquisition of 218-mile short line Iowa Northern should be subject to a more thorough review as a “significant” transaction. In a decision issued on Friday, the Surface Transportation Board denied CPKC’s petition that had asked the board to reconsider its […]

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