Canadian National touts additional support for proposed KCS merger

Canadian National and Kansas City Southern logos

MONTREAL – Canadian National and Kansas City Southern note that their proposed combination continues to gain support, with letters from customers, suppliers, elected officials, and other stakeholders being filed with the Surface Transportation Board. Nearly 200 additional letters have been sent to CN and KCS and filed with the STB, bringing the total number of […]

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Beech Grove man charged for fire at Amtrak facility

Amtrak logo.

INDIANAPOLIS – A Beech Grove man was arrested Monday in Indianapolis on federal criminal charges related to his alleged setting fire to two buildings at the Amtrak Beech Grove shop complex early on May 2, 2021. According to court documents, on the night of May 1, 2021, Casey Sage, 34, trespassed onto the grounds of […]

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Trains magazine exclusive photo charter with Soo Line No. 1003

black steam engine in rual setting

HARTFORD, Wis. — Trains magazine is excited to announce an exclusive photo charter with Soo Line 2-8-2 No. 1003 with a freight consist through scenic rural Wisconsin on Nov. 14. Enjoy multiple runbys, sweeping curves, and watching the Soo Line crew load coal! This photo charter is open to only 50 registered guests, so book […]

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BNSF coal train derails on recently reactivated line

BNSF Railway logo

BENNET, Neb. — Ten cars of a BNSF coal train derailed Friday evening on a recently reactivated line southeast of Lincoln, Neb. The Lincoln Journal Star reports portions of the train still on the tracks initially blocked traffic on Bennet Road, but crews were able to separate the train to allow traffic flow to resume. […]

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Union Pacific derailment in Iowa leads to brief propane leak

Union Pacific logo with Building America slogan

AMES, Iowa — Twenty-seven cars of a Union Pacific train derailed Thursday afternoon in Ames, briefly leaking propane from one car. KDSM-TV reports the derailment occurred about 1:30 p.m., with Ames Fire Chief Rich Higgins saying he did send an evacuation notice to nearby industrial plants after the propane leak was discovered. A Union Pacific […]

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PRR K4s engine No. 1361 to be restored in $2.6 million campaign

Man speaking in front of locomotive boiler in building

ALTOONA, Pa. — Pennsylvania Railroad Class K4s 4-6-2 steam passenger locomotive No. 1361 will be restored to operating condition under a $2.6 million campaign announced Thursday by the Railroaders Memorial Museum and its partner, engineering consulting firm FMW Solutions LLC. Making the announcement was C. Wick Moorman, chairman of a newly reconstituted museum board and […]

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Durango & Silverton set to go coal-free in 2021 season

Steam locomotive in yard

DURANGO, Colo. — In a break from its 140-year history, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad appears to be on the way to running an entire season without using a coal-burning locomotive. The Durango Telegraph reports the railroad is set to handle the season with two steam locomotives converted from coal to oil firing, […]

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Pandemic accelerates operational changes at BNSF Railway

Intermodal train snakes through curves

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway’s increasing use of longer trains is the most visible element of a broader effort to boost efficiency and productivity. Since the onset of the pandemic BNSF has been combining trains, blending different types of traffic in the same trains, and operating more double-length loaded unit trains of grain and […]

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Digest: Canada’s TSB to investigate seasonal increase in grade-crossing accidents

Transportation Safety Board of Canada logo

Transportation Safety Board to investigate winter increase in grade-crossing accidents The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is opening an investigation to determine why grade-crossing accidents increase during winter months. The agency’s statistics show such accidents increase by 61% in non-vacation winter months (January and February) compared with non-vacation, non-winter months (May, June and September). Along […]

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Howard Street Tunnel project receives final environmental clearance

CSX logo

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Baltimore’s Howard Street Tunnel project has received final environmental approval, ending years of effort and clearing the way for construction to begin later this year. The project will increase clearances in the 1.4-mile tunnel, completed by the Baltimore & Ohio in 1890, allowing CSX to operate double-stack container trains to the Port […]

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