LOWELL, Ark. — John Roberts, CEO of rail intermodal pioneer J.B. Hunt, says rail reliability issues are causing the company to turn away customers from its intermodal business. “That drives a sales guy like me crazy,” said Roberts, according to a J. B. Hunt-released transcript of his comments at the recent Baird Industrial Global Conference […]
Section: News & Reviews
Wall Street analyst: CSX and CP are the most likely merger partners NEWSWIRE

Keith Creel, Canadian Pacific CEO Canadian Pacific NEW YORK — Class I railroad mergers are unlikely to occur in 2019, but if two of the major systems were to combine the most likely pairing would be between CSX Transportation and Canadian Pacific, a Wall Street analyst wrote in a research note this week. “We believe […]
Highway widening plan will require BNSF to replace bridge on triple-track main NEWSWIRE

A Metra BNSF train crosses over Interstate 294 between Hinsdale and Western Springs, Ill., on Christmas Eve 2015. The bridge is the narrowest point on the highway; a planned road-widening project will require the construction of a temporary bridge for the BNSF main line, followed by replacement of the existing structure. TRAINS: David Lassen HINSDALE, […]
New FRA high speed passenger rule could open door for more equipment options NEWSWIRE

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration issued a final rule for passenger equipment, allowing high-speed operation up to 220 mph and establishing crashworthiness and rider-protection standards intended to allow more options for U.S. operators. The FRA says these requirements will “remove regulatory barriers and enable use of new technological designs, allowing a more open U.S. […]
Railroad investigating runaway tank car in Pennsylvania NEWSWIRE
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Railroad officials are looking into why a tank car began rolling and kept going for 11 miles Sunday before Norfolk Southern railroaders could climb onto the car and apply handbrakes to stop it. The Morning Call of Allentown reports that a paraffin wax-filled tank car went rolling from Emmaus, Pa. The car […]
X-Train planning California-Las Vegas service in 2019 NEWSWIRE

Amtrak’s Desert Wind makes a station stop in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 18, 1993. Station services were at the Plaza Hotel (advertising the $1 drinks in the background), which would also be the site for the Las Vegas station for the proposed X Train. David Warner A Denton A Train commuter trainset passes the […]
California State Railroad Museum announces events to mark transcontinental railroad anniversary NEWSWIRE

The California State Railroad Museum will host a number of events in 2019 to mark the completion of the first transcontinental railroad. CSRM SACRAMENTO – In 2019, the California State Railroad Museum & Foundation are proud to present a series of exciting events, activities and exhibits to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the completion of […]
GE sells locomotives to Moldovan Railways NEWSWIRE

CHICAGO — Moldovan Railways has selected GE Transportation to supply 12 Evolution Series locomotives, as well as parts, training, and services. This is the first locomotive order in Moldova for GE Transportation and marks a significant step as the country seeks to upgrade its existing fleet to haul freight trains, primarily carrying grain and ore, […]
Port of Mobile eyes automobile manufacturer shippers with port expansions NEWSWIRE

Mobile, Ala. TRAINS: Rick Johnson/Steve Sweeney MOBILE, Ala. — Ongoing Port of Mobile expansion efforts provide potential good news for connecting railroads as a new terminal for roll-on/roll-off ships may provide new rail traffic for finished automobiles. The upgraded terminal is slated to open in 2019, but Jimmy Lyons, director of the Alabama State Port […]
Two suburban communities hire lobbying firm in effort to get Metra service NEWSWIRE

A Metra BNSF train approaches the Naperville station on Sept. 15, 2018. Two communities have hired a lobbying firm as part of an effort to have the BNSF line extended into Kendall County, Ill. TRAINS: David Lassen OSWEGO, Ill. — Two Chicago suburbs have hired a lobbying firm in an effort to Metra’s BNSF Railway […]
New model trains for the week of November 22, 2018

Atlas Model Railroad Co. HO scale Evans 52-foot gondola HO scale freight cars Evans 52-foot gondola. New paint schemes: Amtrak (faded orange), GE Railcar Services (black with DLRX reporting marks), and Union Pacific (Chicago & North Western reporting marks). New road numbers: Canadian National (brown with “wet noodle” herald and website), Herzog (oxide red with […]
Virgin Trains-Brightline partnership leads to public offering NEWSWIRE

A northbound Brightline train rolls into Fort Lauderdale on May 12, 2018. The service, rebranded as Virgin Trains USA, filed a prospectus for an initial public offering on Friday. Bob Johnston Brightline Smart Class passengers enjoy onboard snacks on May 12, 2018, after the company launched its service to Miami. Friday’s initial public offering provided […]