BNSF intermodal train derails in Texas (updated)

BNSF Railway logo

HEREFORD, Texas — Seventeen cars of a BNSF Railway intermodal train derailed early Wednesday morning on the railroad’s Southern Transcon near the town of Hereford, the Amarillo Globe-News reports. The derailment occurred about 5 a.m. on the Hereford Subdivision, between the towns of Dawn and Hereford, about 45 miles southwest of Amarillo. No injuries were […]

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Weekly U.S. rail traffic down slightly from 2021

Weekly table showing U.S. carload traffic by commodity type, plus intermodal totals

WASHINGTON — Weekly U.S. rail traffic remains below 2021 levels, albeit only by a slight margin for the week ending Aug. 13, according to the latest statistics from the Association of American Railroads. For the week, U.S. Class I railroads moved 502,775 carloads and intermodal units, down 0.3% from the same week in 2021. That […]

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Presidential board recommendations a ‘useful basis’ for labor agreement, AAR says (2nd update)

Man in orange vest climbing onto black locomotive

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Presidential Emergency Board recommendations for ending the current railroad labor dispute “provide a useful basis to reach a resolution” although they “markedly exceed the rail carriers’ proposal,” Association of American Railroads CEO Ian Jefferies says in a statement issued this morning (Wednesday, Aug. 17). The group representing railroads in the long-running negotiations, […]

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Presidential Emergency Board issues rail contract recommendations meant to avert strike

Man climbing on front steps of orange locomotive

WASHINGTON — The Presidential Emergency Board charged with making recommendations to resolve the longstanding contract differences between the U.S. Class I railroads and their unionized workforce today submitted its report to the White House, railroads, and organized labor. The board recommended a 22% wage increase, along with $5,000 in service recognition bonus payments, over the […]

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Union Pacific operations recovery continues as crew ranks rise

Yellow locomotives leading train of double-stacked containers over bridge

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific’s operations are recovering as more conductors graduate from training classes and are deployed in revenue service, executives said at an investor conference today. UP’s traffic is up 2% in the quarter to date, but would be higher if not for ongoing service problems related to crew shortages, particularly on the […]

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CP-KCS deal receives government clearance for foreign investment

Logos for Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern

CALGARY — The proposed Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger has received regulatory clearance from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, CP has announced. The interagency committee reviews business moves and some real estate transactions involving foreign companies or individuals to determine the potential national security impact of those transactions. More information about […]

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European proposal to change rail gauge in Finland causes debate

Green and white electric locomotive pulling freight cars

Politicians in Finland have spoken out against a European Union (EU) proposal that would see Finland’s 5-foot gauge (1524mm) rail network at least partly rebuilt to standard gauge, or most likely dual 5foot/standard gauge, although some politicians and business organizations support the idea. Finland’s use of 5-foot gauge reflects its history as part of the […]

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American Car & Foundry 50-foot exterior-post boxcar from Walthers

Mineral red boxcar

American Car & Foundry 50-foot exterior-post boxcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $34.98  Era: 1974 to present Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com 50-foot American Car and Foundry exterior post boxcar features: Plate B dimensions 33” turned-metal wheelsets with RP-25 contours Proto-Max metal couplers Road names: Burlington Northern […]

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NS train derails in Ohio after collision with truck

Aerial view of derailment following collision at grade crossing

NORTH LAWRENCE, Ohio — Nineteen cars of a Norfolk Southern train derailed in North Lawrence on Monday morning after the train hit a truck at a grade crossing, the Canton Repository newspaper reports. No injuries were reported after law enforcement and fire agencies responded to the collision at about 7:45 a.m. The accident occurred at […]

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Chooch Enterprises Inc. pulpwood load for 48-foot inside-length bulkhead flatcars

Red bulkhead flatcar with pulpwood load

48-foot pulpwood load Scale: HO (1:87:1)  Price: $14.98 Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218; 414-527-0770; walthers.com 48-foot pulpwood load: One-piece, factory-finished resin casting Fits all WalthersMainline 60-foot Pullman-Standard bulkhead flatcars (sold separately) Release date: Fall 2022 News & Products is a regular feature of Trains.com for model railroad operators and builders to get the […]

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Pullman-Standard 60-foot bulkhead flatcar from Walthers

Red bulkhead flatcar

Pullman-Standard 60-foot bulkhead flatcar Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: $34.98  Era: 1968 to present Manufacturer: Wm. K. Walthers Inc., 5601 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53218, 414-527-0770, walthers.com 60-foot Pullman-Standard bulkhead flatcar Features: 8’-6” bulkheads with bolt attachment details Detailed brake gear with piping 70-ton roller-bearing trucks 33” turned-metal wheelsets Proto-Max metal couplers Road names: Canadian […]

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