How locomotives operate together in a train consist

Front view of black and white Norfolk Southern locomotive

In the railroad industry, different locomotive models and manufacturers can be found in any train consist operating in different directions from one another. The ability to achieve this is due to a set of uniform standards for both pneumatic and electrical connections adopted by all manufacturers and can be found on almost all freight and […]

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Digest: Work in progress to fix N&W No 611’s stoker

Virginia Musem of Transportation logo

Work under way to repair N&W No. 611 for trip to Strasburg The Virginia Museum of Transportation reported late last week that work was under way to identify and repair the problem with the stoker of N&W No. 611, an issue which has delayed the Class J’s planned trip to the Strasburg Rail Road. To […]

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FRA unable to obtain all Gulf Coast capacity data

Two people looking at railroad track on bridge

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration “has been unable to obtain access to all the data and analysis necessary” to properly review the issues involved in Amtrak’s effort to restart Gulf Coast passenger service, the agency said in a Monday filing to the Surface Transportation Board. A letter penned by FRA Acting General Counsel John […]

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Digest: Woman’s petition seeks to have CP move Iowa rail yard

Canadian Pacific Railway beaver logo

Citing blocked crossings, Iowa woman seeks to have CP move rail yard An Ottumwa, Iowa, woman has started a petition asking Canadian Pacific to move its railroad yard in the community because of blocked grade crossings that result nearby. KYOU-TV reports Trisha Rea, who works near the intersection of Blackhawk Road and North Quincy Avenue, […]

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Gulf Coast passenger filings pit Alabama against Mississippi

Blue sign with white lettering, with some information removed

Selected comments of politicians, organizations, and communities on the fight over Gulf Coast passenger service, as expressed in letters to the Surface Transportation Board [see “Analysis: Amtrak defends its Gulf Coast access request in new STB filing,” Trains News Wire, April 29, 2021]: Calling for completion of traffic modeling Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R): “For […]

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Norfolk Southern sees earnings, volume increases in first quarter

Norfolk Southern logo

NORFOLK, Va. — Reflecting continued intermodal strength — as well cost savings resulting from the continued implementation of Precision Scheduled Railroading principles — Norfolk Southern showed increases in both volume and earnings during 2021’s first quarter, as well as a new record operating-ratio figure. Quarterly revenue of $2.6 billion represented a 1% increase over the […]

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Railroads take steps to ease intermodal congestion

Two container ships at port

Pockets of congestion and overall high volumes are slowing most railroads’ intermodal networks, prompting BNSF Railway, Union Pacific, and Norfolk Southern to take steps to manage capacity. BNSF, the largest intermodal carrier, announced several changes designed to ease congestion at key terminals beginning next week. BNSF will implement day-of-week in-gate windows at its Hobart terminal […]

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NS Trash Train consigned to the dumpster of history

Black locomotive pulling cars of trash through fall colors

ROANOKE, Va. — For more than a quarter century, at approximately 5:30 p.m., a Norfolk Southern crew would report in Roanoke and start train V60, commonly known as the “Star City Stinker” or “Trash Train.” No more. The Monday-through-Friday operation would start just east of Roanoke’s famed East End Shops and travel 30 miles west […]

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