Seatrain at anchor Wearing the shipping line’s distinctive stylized railroad track funnel markings, Seatrain Georgia and a sister are moored at Edgewater, N.J. The dock crane was fixed, so precise positioning was crucial. […]
Seatrain at anchor
Type of Train: Freight
STB chairman critical of Wall Street influence on railroads, questions need for mergers (updated)
WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Surface Transportation Board says he’s concerned that pressure from Wall Street is undermining railroad service and questioned the need for major railroad mergers. “Our mandate as an agency … is to ensure and protect a strong national rail network. That’s why we exist. And everything we do should be aimed […]
How to make covered loads for large-scale freight cars
Part of the nature of our great hobby is to collect. Often we collect items not necessarily train related, like old toys, knickknacks, or scraps from a recent project. An easy way to incorporate them into your railroad is to turn them into loads for freight cars or loading docks. Here’s a sampling of castoffs […]
Digest: CP says CN plan to sell line in Louisiana fails to address larger competitive concerns
CP calls CN plan to sell KCS line ‘token divestment,’ remains critical of merger’s competitive impact Canadian Pacific says Canadian National’s plans to divest a Kansas City Southern line in Louisiana is “clear recognition” of the competitive issues created by the proposed CN-KCS merger. In a Thursday statement, CP also said the “token divestment” would […]
U.S. rail volume continues to outpace 2020 figures
WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic remains well ahead of 2020 figures —both for the week ending May 22 and in year-to-date totals — according to the latest statistics released by the Association of American Railroads. For the week, U.S. railroads moved 242,227 carloads — up 27.2% over the corresponding week in 2020 — and 286,547 intermodal […]
Six indicted in alleged railroad disability fraud
CHICAGO — Six former railroad employees face charges carrying prison sentences up to 20 years, as well as cash penalties ranging from $10,000 to more than $270,000, after being indicted for alleged disability-benefits fraud, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois has announced. The six are accused of working other jobs while […]
Federal regulators reject CSX-Pan Am merger application as incomplete (updated)
WASHINGTON — It’s back to the drawing board for CSX Transportation’s proposed acquisition of New England regional Pan Am Railways. The Surface Transportation Board today rejected as incomplete CSX’s application to acquire control of Pan Am. “The Board finds that the application fails to include all of the information needed to satisfy the Market Analysis […]
CN and KCS take first step toward merger
WASHINGTON — Canadian National and Kansas City Southern today asked federal regulators to approve a voting trust that is the initial step in their plans to merge into the first railroad linking Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. To address competition concerns in the one area where the railroads’ systems overlap, CN said it will sell the […]
Digest: Pacific Surfliner to require reservations on peak summer weekends
Pacific Surfliners to require reservations on four weekends; more could be added Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner will require reservations for travel on peak weekends this suffer, a move to manage capacity when more travelers are anticipated. Four weekends have been designated for the reservation requirement — Memorial Day weekend (May 28-June 1), Fourth of July weekend […]
Digest: Industrial development firm launches rail affiliate, announces first operation
Agracel Rail Holdings launches with agreement at Ohio industrial park A company providing industrial development services to rural communities is launching a rail affiliate. Agracel Rail Holdings, a subsidiary of Agracel, Inc., will begin operations by redeveloping and operating rail infrastructure at The Point Industrial Park in South Point, Ohio. “Our goal in becoming a […]
Digest: News report says official leaves California high speed rail agency after investigation
No. 2 official departs from California high speed agency The No. 2 official at the California High-Speed Rail Authority has left the agency as the result of an investigation, the Los Angeles Times reports. Chief Operating Officer Joe Hedges left the agency as of Tuesday following an investigation that began last year with an anonymous […]
Freight car evolution
Freight car evolution Auto parts trains were a mixed bag in the mid-1960s. This Wabash train in May 1964 shows an old 50-foot parts car with only the code and car numbers visible, new 60- and 85-foot cars, and an open auto rack. J. David Ingles collection […]
