Class I railroads maintain their optimistic outlooks despite uncertainty over trade and the economy

Train with yellow locomotive on curve through surburan community

Despite mounting uncertainty over tariffs, trade policy, and the economy, most major railroads held firm on their 2025 outlooks — contrasting with a wave of guidance cuts across other industries. Among the five publicly traded Class I railroads, Canadian National, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific kept their guidance intact, while Canadian Pacific Kansas City and […]

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Union Pacific unveils Lincoln locomotive

Red, maroon, and gray locomotive in shop building

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Union Pacific has unveiled its Abraham Lincoln commemorative locomotive, honoring the president who signed the bill creating Union Pacific as part of the transcontinental railroad. “Union Pacific exists because President Abraham Lincoln wasn’t afraid to ask, ‘What’s Possible?’” Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena said at a ceremony in North Little […]

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Startup aims to capture carbon from diesel locomotive exhaust

Add carbon capture to the list of potential ways railroads could reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from their fleets of diesel-electric locomotives. Remora, a Michigan-based startup company, is developing a tender-based system that can capture carbon dioxide from locomotive exhaust, liquify the gas, and store it on board. The liquified carbon dioxide would be […]

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Seven iconic trains that shaped railroading history and culture

A green steam locomotive leads a passenger train

Throughout the history of rail travel, certain trains have captured our imaginations more than others, pushing the boundaries of rail technology, and in doing so, leaving an indelible mark on the history of railroading and railfans alike. From luxury passenger services to record-breaking locomotives, the following iconic trains represent some of railroading’s most prestigious, most […]

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STB takes up case regarding BNSF access to new Utah short line

WASHINGTON— Federal regulators will determine whether BNSF Railway can use its trackage rights over Union Pacific to reach a new short line railroad in Utah. The Surface Transportation Board yesterday rejected Union Pacific’s request to dismiss the case regarding the Savage Tooele Railroad. Savage held a groundbreaking ceremony in November for the railroad [see “Groundbreaking […]

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Big Steam and PTC: A Reset Stage

Steam locomotive rounds curve on a rainy day

The rumble of Canadian Pacific’s 4-6-4 Empress No. 2816 and Union Pacific’s 4-8-8-4 Big Boy No. 4014 echoed across thousands of miles in 2024. What made these journeys truly remarkable and deserving a brighter spotlight? Both locomotives were equipped with fully compliant, standalone Positive Train Control (PTC) systems. This means they can independently navigate their […]

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