Union Pacific OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific is responding to disruptive technology — including the potential onslaught of platooned and driverless trucks — with technological advancements that aim to make the railroad more competitive. “The world’s changing pretty dramatically. We all see it,” CEO Lance Fritz told investors and analysts at the railroad’s Investor Day […]
An eastbound express Metra train, operating in push mode, pauses at Western Springs, Ill., on Sept. 10, 2009. You can see the engineer in the window of the cabcar. Paul Hoffmann Q What’s the difference in touch or feel for an engineer running in push mode versus pull mode? Is there a limit to the […]
Frank Lonegro, CSX Corp. Chief Financial Officer CSX Corp. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – CSX Transportation has laid off about 100 workers at its locomotive shop in Cumberland, Md., as it reduces the facility from 24-hour operation to one daily shift. Workers at the former Baltimore & Ohio shop were informed on May 11. The Cumberland Times-News […]
Norfolk Southern CEO James Squires Norfolk Southern Corp. BOSTON — Norfolk Southern will reopen the yard hump at DeButts Yard in Chattanooga, Tenn., as it works to ease congestion amid rising traffic volumes, CEO Jim Squires told an investor conference today. Service has suffered on NS due to congestion on the southern portion of its […]
Duluth & Northeastern No. 14 fills up at Cloquet, Minn., in 1958. William D. Middleton Q How did railroads in northern states keep water in tanks from freezing in the winter? Were the tanks heated and insulated, or filled just before use? – James Alain, Chassell, Mich. A Many water towers in colder climates had […]
First Quarter 2018 operating ratios Source: Class I railroads CSX Transportation has claimed the industry’s lead in operating ratio by vaulting to first place from its second-to-last position a year ago. The railroad’s closely watched operating ratio was 63.7 percent in the first quarter, down from an adjusted 69.4 percent a year ago, and 0.9 […]
WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration received more than 2,100 comments from railroaders, lobbying groups, and the public on driverless train technology. In March, the FRA announced it wanted public input about automated train technology, specifically “the potential benefits, costs, risks, and challenges to achieving such automation.” May 6 was the final day for the […]
CSX has closed Locust Point Yard in Baltimore. Sol Tucker BALTIMORE — CSX Transportation has closed its yard in Locust Point in southeastern Baltimore, Md. effective 11:59 p.m., April 30, 2018. The yard sits adjacent to Interstate 95 just west of the Fort McHenry Tunnel, and also hosts a Maryland Rail Commuter locomotive and train […]
A factory image of Linsinger’s SF02T-FS rail milling machine. It is similar to one that Rhomberg Sersa and LINMAG expect to import to North America by the end of 2019. The self-propelled machine is designed for transit operations and is expected to operate on 90 to 95-percent of U.S. and Canadian commuter and transit routes. […]
A Rio Tinto train completes an automated trip in October 2017. Rio Tinto WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration is seeking public input on the operation of driverless trains and, so far, it appears railroaders and the public are overwhelmingly against the idea. In March, the FRA announced it wanted public input about automated train […]
A mixed freight crosses the water-lily filled Lake Sarah Jane on its way to Bat Yard. While much of their SJR&P runs through their backyard forest, Deb and Stan Ames view this beautiful viaduct from their cedar deck (the crew lounge). Thelma Shoneman An oil train from Riley snakes down the railway on its way […]
Southern Pacific cab-forward 4-8-8-2 No. 4219 leads an extra train at Dunsmuir, Calif., in August 1948. Guy L. Dunscomb, Martin E. Hansen collection Q On some early Union Pacific and Southern Pacific steam and diesel locomotives there is an “X” in front of the number. Why is this done? – Leon Bassik, Langhorne, Pa. A […]
