From the Cab: I saw the light

A silver Amtrak locomotive at the head of passenger cars under a dark stormy sky

I saw the light, but changing the light was a whole different matter — and that’s why I’m skeptical when a locomotive builder claims to have consulted engineers when designing a new and improved model. And with good reason. They’re usually looking for product endorsement rather than any input intended for product development. A seasoned […]

Read More…

U.S. rail traffic remains above 2022 levels

Weekly table showing U.S. carload rail traffic by commodity, plus overall intermodal volume.

WASHINGTON — Weekly U.S. rail traffic was once again above 2022 figures for the week ending Oct. 21, with total volume up 1.8%, according to figures from the Association of American Railroads. Traffic for the week was 505,985 carloads and intermodal units. That included 234,893 carloads, an increase of 1.5% from the corresponding week a […]

Read More…

CPKC revenue and earnings decline amid soft volume

Train with red locomotive passing station

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Kansas City today lowered its outlook for the year after a third quarter that saw broad-based volume declines. “No doubt a challenging quarter as we dealt with a softer demand environment and supply-chain impacts from the strike at the Port of Vancouver,” CEO Keith Creel told investors and analysts on […]

Read More…

Trains LIVE — Riding Amtrak

Two men in a TV interview. Trains LIVE — Riding Amtrak.

Trains LIVE — Riding Amtrak — 10-25-2023 — There are still places in this country that one can only see while riding a train. Today, taking an Amtrak train will deliver spectacular scenery and get you to your destination. The train trip again becomes part of the travel adventure. Additionally, Amtrak, while only a little […]

Read More…

Trains LIVE — Riding Amtrak

Two men in a TV interview. Trains LIVE — Riding Amtrak.

Trains LIVE — Riding Amtrak — 10-25-2023 — There are still places in this country that one can only see while riding a train. Today, taking an Amtrak train will deliver spectacular scenery and get you to your destination. The train trip again becomes part of the travel adventure. Additionally, Amtrak, while only a little […]

Read More…

CNJ No. 113 delights photographers during night session

Crew member poses in front of steam locomotive during a night photo session.

MINERSVILLE, Pa. — Central Railroad of New Jersey No. 113 was under steam for a night photo session on Oct. 21 – rescheduled from the original Oct. 14 date due to weather. The heavy 0-6-0 switcher is in its centennial year, having been built in June 1923 by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, N.Y. […]

Read More…

LA’s Taylor Yard: Always something different

Steam engine next to SW1500 switcher

Always something different at LA’s Taylor Yard A wise man once said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” It’s a nice thought. But he never met a train fan. For decades, whenever I had a few free minutes, I’d drive down to Southern Pacific’s […]

Read More…