Association of American Railroads WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads recently reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Oct. 19. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 507,381 carloads and intermodal units, down 8.6% compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending Oct. 19 were 245,002 […]
A Canadian Pacific train passes through Deerfield, Ill., in November 2018. CP reported record financial results but slightly lowered its volume expectations as part of its quarterly earnings report. TRAINS: David Lassen CALGARY, Alberta – Canadian Pacific reported record third-quarter financial results on Wednesday, as traffic was up slightly and the railway set records for key […]
A CN unit oil train travels Wisconsin’s Byron Hill in July 2019. CN has lowered its earning estimate and is reducing its locomotive fleet as it moves less industrial traffic, including energy shipments. MONTREAL — Canadian National’s revenue and profits grew in the third quarter but the railway on Tuesday lowered its outlook for the […]
NS C44-9W No. 9732 leads empty grain train W49 at Selma, N.C., in March 2019. Michael S. Murray NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk Southern on Wednesday reported lower third quarter profits and revenue amid broad traffic declines. The railroad’s operating income fell 2%, to $996 million, as revenue declined 4%, to $2.84 billion. Earnings per share […]
Tank cars placarded for alcohol bring up the rear of a Canadian Pacific train passing the Elmwood Park, Ill., Metra station. While many flammable materials may be moved by tank car, liquefied natural gas is not currently among them; a Department of Transportation proposal would change that. The tank cars shown are not the type […]
A Union Pacific merchandise train climbs the Tehachapi grade in California in September 2019. Bill Stephens OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific’s shift to an operating plan based on Precision Scheduled Railroading ultimately will enable the railroad to capture more traffic thanks to a combination of lower costs, better service, and a more robust merchandise network, […]
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas City Southern’s revenue, profits, and earnings grew to record levels in the third quarter despite flat overall traffic volume, the railroad reported on Friday. Operating income rose 6%, to $282 million, as revenue grew 7%, to $747.7 million. Earnings per share, adjusted for the impact of one-time items, was up […]
FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway has taken another step to wring more capacity out of its existing intermodal network: This week it launched a day of the week pricing system that aims to smooth peaks and valleys in volume. Currently half of the railroad’s intermodal loads are delivered to terminals between noon on Wednesday […]
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific today confirmed that it has stopped humping cars at Neff Yard in Kansas City, Mo. Neff is the fourth hump UP has idled amid its shift to Precision Scheduled Railroading. The humps at Proviso Yard in Chicago, Hinkle Yard in Oregon, and Pine Bluff Yard in Arkansas were previously mothballed […]
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific revenue and profits declined in the third quarter as the railroad’s efficiency gains and cost-cutting were not enough to offset an 8% decline in traffic volume. Operating income declined 2%, to $2.2 billion, as revenue sank 7%, to $5.5 billion. Net income also fell 2%, to $1.5 billion. Earnings per […]
Q: Do train crews have the ability to activate or deactivate crossing lights and gates? — Richard Collingwood, Milan, Ohio A: No. Here’s why: Crossing circuits have set approaches based off of warning time required and maximum speed of the trains. The modern day crossing processors — mini computers inside a crossing gate bungalow (the metal […]
Q: One reader recently asked why there were so many empty container trains heading away from the East Coast on railroads? Could it be the West Coast receives more loads and container trains need to be repositioned? — A Trains reader A: That East/Eest balances is one source of empty moves, but there are other […]
