ClassOneModelWorks.com announces Electro-Motive Division GP40

Black and gold diesel locomotive

Electro-Motive Division GP40 Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: To be announced Era: April 1966 to present (varies depending on paint scheme Manufacturer: ClassOneModelWorks.com, 8610 NW 107th Terrace, Kansas City, MO, 64153; 816-243-0044; ClassOneModelWorks.com Features: Road- and unit-specific body styles Flat cap 48” fans Diamond mesh radiator intake screen Early triangular fuel tank mounts Ribbed cab base […]

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FRA looking into Southern California tank car incident

Aerial view of tank cars

PERRIS, Calif. — The Federal Railroad Administration is investigating last week’s incident involving a leaking tank car that led to evacuations and closure of an interstate highway for about a day. The Riverside Press-Enterprise reports the FRA’s Hazards Materials Division will look at preparation and loading of the tank car, the car’s move from origin […]

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BNSF to end California traffic embargo in September

Freight trains meet under cloudy skies

FORT WORTH, Texas – BNSF Railway on Sept. 4 will end its embargo on certain types of carload traffic bound for California, saying that the restrictions enabled the railway to reduce traffic backlogs on its Southern Transcon. “BNSF is terminating our California permit embargo on Sunday, September 4. As anticipated, our weekly number of permits continued […]

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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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Missouri judge holds hearing on potential stay of Southwest Chief lawsuits

Aerial view of accident site with debris of truck hit by train

KEYTESVILLE, Mo. — A Missouri judge is considering a request to stay litigation over the fatal June 27 derailment of Amtrak’s Southwest Chief while the National Transportation Safety Board investigation is ongoing, as requested by defendants. KMBC-TV reports Chariton County Circuit Court Judge Terry Tschannen heard arguments Tuesday from attorneys for Amtrak, BNSF Railway, and […]

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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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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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BNSF coal train derails in Oklahoma

Derailed coal hoppers blocking road

BOISE CITY, Okla. — Thirteen cars of a BNSF unit coal train derailed Friday evening near Boise City, blocking a state highway for several hours, the Cimarron County Sheriff’s Office reports. No injuries were reported. KVII-TV reports the derailment occurred about 6:50 p.m. State Route 325 was reopened about 12:30 a.m. on Saturday. BNSF’s main […]

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Cleanup continues from BNSF derailment in East Galesburg, Ill.

Heavy equipment working on railroad tracks with derailed cars off to one side

EAST GALESBURG, Ill. — A grade crossing remains closed and cleanup is ongoing in the wake of an Aug. 3 derailment of a BNSF Railway intermodal train, the Galesburg Register-Mail reports. The State Street crossing at the derailment site is expected to reopen next week, a BNSF spokesman told the railroad. Darrell Corbin, acting mayor […]

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Spokane Portland and Seattle passenger trains

GP1709011

Spokane Portland and Seattle passenger trains: All through August 2022, Classic Trains editors are celebrating the history and heritage of Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway. The Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway was the product of sparring during 1905-1909 between “Empire Builder” James J. Hill of the Great Northern and Edward H. Harriman of the Union […]

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