British Columbia ports strike ends with tentative agreement

Locomotive switching at container terminal

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Workers have returned to work at British Columbia ports after their union and employers reached a tentative agreement on Thursday, ending a 13-day strike. The two sides accepted terms drafted by a federal mediator on Thursday morning, about 10 minutes before a deadline set by Canadian labor minister Seamus O’Regan, according […]

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STB announces investigation on Sunset Limited timekeeping, sets procedure

Passenger cars at station with baggage being unloaded onto trailer and passengers walking on platform. Image of the Sunset Limited.

WASHINGTON — Responding to an Amtrak request from late last year, the Surface Transportation Board announced today (July 11) it will open an investigation into Sunset Limited timekeeping issues. Today’s board decision also outlines the framework for the process — a detailed procedure that will continue well into 2024. Establishment of that framework is necessary […]

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Short steam era passenger cars

Model of a dark green coach

What is the largest radius curve on your layout? If you said anything less than 24”, you won’t be running 85-foot passenger cars any time soon. Even then, a 24” curve is extremely tight for those cars to navigate. Fear not, I have the solution for your long passenger car dilemma: short steam era passenger […]

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Strike shuts down British Columbia ports

Locomotive switching at container terminal

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Port workers in British Columbia went on strike Saturday, an action with the potential for impacts on the Canadian and U.S. economies and immediate significance for three Class I Railroads. Members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada’s Longshore Division walked out at 8 a.m. Saturday. The move affects about […]

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TSB to investigate CN derailment in Saskatchewan (updated)

Canadian National logo

LENEY, Saskatchewan — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has begun an investigation after 23 cars of a Canadian National train derailed Sunday evening near Leney, Sask., the CBC reports. No injuries were reported and no hazardous materials were reported to be involved, according to the TSB. The derailment occurred about 5 p.m. Two TSB […]

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Village destroyed by wildfire sues CN, CPKC, Transport Canada

View of railroad track from locomotive

LYTTON, British Columbia — The village of Lytton and its local regional district have filed suit against Canadian National, CPKC, and Transport Canada over a 2021 fire that destroyed the village, accusing the railroads and the government agency of negligence. The CBC reports the suit was filed by Lytton and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District in […]

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Michigan announces $19 million in grants for freight rail projects

Train with blue and gray locomotive in snow

LANSING, Mich. — Ten railroads will receive a total of $19 million for a dozen projects as the first round of recipients for the Michigan Rail Enhancement Grant Program announced today (Friday, June 9). The 2023 projects funded by the state Department of Transportation, selected in a competitive process, will improve rail safety, operational efficiency, […]

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Twenty cars of CN train derail in Saskatchewan

Canadian National logo

FORT QU’APPELLE, Saskatchewan — No injuries were reported after a locomotive and 20 cars of a Canadian National train derailed Wednesday evening near the town of Fort Qu’Appelle, CKOM Radio reports. CN said in a statement to the station that no hazardous materials were involved and no fires occurred as a result. Cars were expected […]

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DW&P at West Duluth

20160624

On Canadian National subsidiary Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific, CN 4-6-2 5127 brings the overnight train from Fort Frances, Ont., into the station at West Duluth, Minn., in September 1954. Philip R. Hastings photo […]

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