The eastbound California Zephyr passes maintenance workers on the center track of the BNSF Railway main line at Hinsdale, Ill., in October 2016. BNSF plans a major tie-replacement project on the center track Oct. 26-28, leading to changes in Metra schedules. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — Metra schedules on its BNSF line will face some […]
These P40 diesels, seen at Bear, Del., on June 7, 2010, are up for sale after being passed over for rehab. Bob Johnston BEECH GROVE, Ind. — Want to buy a 1954-vintage, ex-Santa Fe hi-level lounge? Or how about one of eight F40 or 12 P40 locomotives? Starting today through Nov. 2, Amtrak is offering […]
Skookum poses in steam with a genuine Baldwin Locomotive Works banner used in the 20th century while shipping new engines from the Philadelphia builder. Kevin Gilliam GARIBALDI, Ore. — The famous 2-4-4-2 Skookum steamed for photographers last week for a Pete Lerro photo charter, but an engineer’s low pressure valve chest issue kept the locomotive […]
UNUSUAL LIVERY: MTH’s steel refrigerator car line has added a unique road name: the no. 20-94276 Magcobar Foundry Products. Magcobar used a fleet of 10 insulated cars leased from GE Rail Services (reporting mark NIRX) to ship dry drilling mud to oilfield support sites. In addition to Magcobar, road names include Baltimore & Ohio, Canadian […]
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern has leased 30 locomotives, shifted additional crews to northern Mexico, and is working with customers as part of an effort to fix cross-border congestion problems. “Our performance this quarter did not meet our own expectations,” CEO Patrick Ottensmeyer told investors and analysts on the railroad’s earnings call on […]
A northbound Kansas City Southern empty grain train passes Union Pacific’s yard in Laredo, Texas, as it crosses the International Railway Bridge over the Rio Grande in November 2017. Bill Stephens KANSAS CITY, Mo. — With interchange partner Union Pacific jumping on the Precision Scheduled Railroading bandwagon, will Kansas City Southern follow suit or at […]
TRAINS: Steve Sweeney/ Source: Amtrak BEECH GROVE, Ind. — Amtrak on Wednesday announced that it is soliciting bids for 48 pieces of equipment located at its Beech Grove, Ind., and Bear and Wilmington, Del., shops that it now considers surplus. The lot made up mostly of diesel locomotives and baggage cars, as well as all […]
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The way CSX Transportation is handling more tonnage with fewer locomotives, freight cars, and people is a textbook example of Precision Scheduled Railroading at work. For the third quarter, CSX’s revenue ton-miles were up 7 percent and overall volume grew 4 percent compared to the same period last year. Yet CSX was […]
Canadian Pacific AC44CWM No. 8200 begins testing at the GE Transportation test track near Erie, Pa. Stephan M. Koenig LAWRENCE PARK, Pa. — Canadian Pacific AC4400CW No. 8200 is the first of the latest group of 30 AC4400CWs to enter testing after being rebuilt at GE Transportation’s shops near Erie, Pa. The locomotive began evaluation on […]
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Two weeks ahead of schedule, Schenectady’s new Amtrak station has opened. The $23 million facility opened Wednesday, with Lt. Gov Kathy Hochul participating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony and saying, “This telegraphs to the world that we’re prepared for the future,” according to the Albany Times-Union. It is the third new station on […]
The Alaska Railroad’s winter schedule includes expanded operation of its Aurora Winter Train. Glenn Aronwits, courtesy Alaska Railroad ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Alaska Railroad’s 2018-19 winter schedule includes increased operation of its Aurora Winter Train, as well as new Thanksgiving holiday service and increased operations for spring break travel. The Aurora Winter Train, which began […]
CSX Transportation safety chart CSX Corp. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation is making safety improvement strides. The railroad’s personal injury rate improved for the fifth straight quarter, while the train accident rate declined compared to last year and the second quarter, CSX noted in its third-quarter earnings call on Tuesday. “The safety of our employees […]
