The $85 billion Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger agreement includes a $2.5 billion breakup fee that anticipates potential twists and turns that could play out over the next two years. The agreement has an expiration date of Jan. 28, 2028, but will be extended automatically if the Surface Transportation Board merger review process takes […]
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WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) are urging the Surface Transportation Board to “keep the best interests of rail shippers and consumers in mind” during the board’s upcoming review of the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, expressing concerns about the merger’s impact in a letter to board members. Meanwhile, Nebraska’s two […]
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WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass) and Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) have reintroduced a bill that would devote $200 billion over a five-year period for rail projects including high speed rail and electrification of some lines. The All Aboard Act, announced by Markey on Tuesday (July 29, 2025) revives legislation introduced late in 2024 […]
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Eric White, Editor of Model Railroader magazine, continues his HO scale glass plant project for the East Troy Industrial Park Project Railroad, now focusing on building chimneys with intricate brass details. Discover the secrets to flawless metalwork as he shares tips and tricks for soldering metal parts in a manner that yields a seamless finish…and […]
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WINNIPEG, Manitoba — A broken wheel, which fractured after sustaining a dent to the back of the wheel plate, led to the derailment of a Canadian National Railway unit grain train in Manitoba in March 2024, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said in an investigation report released Tuesday (July 29, 2025). The derailment occurred […]
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WASHINGTON — The Rail Passengers Association said today it will be “actively involved in protecting the rights of passengers” as the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger is considered by the Surface Transportation Board. Amtrak had no comment on the merger announcement. Neither did commuter rail operator Metra, which has been involved in a lengthy legal and […]
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OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern executives touted their proposed merger as a way to return to volume growth after losing market share to the highway since rail traffic peaked in 2006. “We can only go so far independently.
And let’s face it, this industry has faced contraction over the last couple decades […]
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LAKEVIEW, Ore. — Eco Material Technologies, producer of green cement products and supplementary cementitious materials, opened a new plant in southern Oregon today (July 29, 2025). It is the companyy’s first facility in the Pacific Northwest. The Lakeview Plant is located on the Goose Lake Railway, operator of the county-owned former Southern Pacific line connecting […]
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Two unions — the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, and the Transport Workers Union of America — have announced their opposition to the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger proposed today by the two railroads. SMART said it will oppose the merger when it goes to the Surface Transportation Board for approval, […]
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CHICAGO — Anacostia Rail Holdings has named Todd Nuelle as its new chief commercial officer, the company announced today. Nuelle — who joins Anacostia from Canadian National — will succeed Eric Jakubowski, who is retiring. Jakubowski joined Anacostia in 2012 and is credited by the company with playing a key role in strengthening its commercial […]
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Walthers HO ACF-design 1958 covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $38.98 Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com Walthers HO ACF-design 1958 covered hopper features: 33” metal wheels All-new model Based on American Car & Foundry 1,958-cubic-foot capacity two-bay covered hopper Proto-Max metal couplers Separate, factory-applied Ajax brake […]
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Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern today announced an $85 billion deal to tie their networks together and create the first U.S. transcontinental railroad. The merged company — which will be called Union Pacific — will transform the U.S. supply chain and economy, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and preserve all union jobs, the railroads said. UP will […]
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