BNSF extends embargo on California-bound carload traffic

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway’s embargo of certain types of carload traffic bound for California has been extended into August as its Southern Transcon remains congested in the Southwest. The embargo, which took effect on June 27, applies to automotive shipments as well as specific agricultural and industrial commodities. “In response to our temporary […]

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Long Island Rail Road ends development of battery-electric equipment

Reporters surrounding officials at press conference with train in background

NEW YORK — The Long Island Rail Road has scrapped a plan to develop battery-electric multiple-unit trainsets for use on its non-electrified lines, Newsday reports, after determining retrofitting of existing equipment is not feasible. The LIRR and Alstom announced a partnership to develop and test the equipment on its Oyster Bay Branch in April 2021 […]

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NTSB finds violation of safety rule is likely cause of Pan Am employee death

Diagram showing location of locomotive and freight cars on industrial spur

WASHINGTON — A failure to follow rules prohibiting employees from moving between moving railcars during coupling was the probable cause of the death of a Pan Am Railways conductor, according to the National Transportation Safety Board report on the fatal May 2021 accident. The accident in Newington, N.H., on the afternoon of May 19, 2021, […]

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Part of White Pass & Yukon dock at Skagway closed over rockslide threat

Aerial photo of dock and cruise ship next to cliff

SKAGWAY, Alaska — One berth at the White Pass & Yukon Railway’s cruise-ship dock in Skagway has been closed because of concerns over rockslide risk, forcing Princess Cruises to change plans for some scheduled visits by its ships. Travel Weekly reports the forward berth on the Railroad Dock has been closed following a report by […]

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New York subway system to gain cell service throughout underground tunnels

Logo of Metropolitan Transportation Authority

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has announced plans to expand cellular coverage to include all 418 track miles of New York City Transit subway tunnels, as well as all 191 above-ground subway tunnels and the 21 stations of the Staten Island Railway. Cell and wi-fi service is currently available at the subway system’s […]

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CN reports record quarterly results as operations improve

MONTREAL – Canadian National reported record revenue and operating income in the second quarter amid a dramatic operational turnaround that has the railway performing at its highest levels in five years. “The network is fluid and the operating team has done a great job of improving performance across the network,” CEO Tracy Robinson told investors […]

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World’s first hydrogen trains enter regular passenger service

Blue and white two-car passenger train at station in Germany

BREMERVORDE, Germany — The world’s first hydrogen-powered trains in regular passenger service are now in operation, having begun service July 25 on a German regional rail line between Cuxhaven and Buxtehude, via Bremervörde. Bremervörde is around 40 miles southwest of the city of Hamburg. The initial service is being billed as “preliminary,” in case operating […]

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FTA announces funding for transit-station accessibility projects

Federal Transit Administration logo

WASHINGTON — The Federal Transit Administration will provide $1.75 billion to fund accessibility improvements at U.S. transit systems, using money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the agency announced today, with $343 million to be offered through a new notice of funding availability. The All Stations Accessibility Program will retrofit subway stations to provide elevators or […]

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American Z Line July 2022 (part 2) diesel locomotive announcements

diesel locomotive in Canadian National paint

American Z Line diesel locomotive announcements for July 2022 Scale: Z (1:220) Price: Contact manufacturer Era: Wisconsin Central Electro-Motive Division SW1500 diesel locomotive in Canadian National paint, early 2000s to present. Denver & Rio Grande Western Alco PA-1 diesel locomotive, January-February 1947 to March 1950 (as decorated). Manufacturer: American Z Line, 6142 Northcliff Blvd., Dublin, OH 43016; 614-764-1703; americanzline.com American […]

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North Carolina Railroad Co. to buy, restore Greensboro station

Vintage postcard of brick railroad station

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The North Carolina Railroad Co. will purchase a 123-year-old Southern Railway station in Greensboro for “preservation and beneficial redevelopment,” the company announced Monday. The masonry structure at 400 S. Elm Street, currently owned by Norfolk Southern, was built in 1899 and is in a downtown district listed on the National Register of […]

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Illinois senators, two representatives oppose Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger

Red locomotive leads train past passenger station

WASHINGTON – Illinois Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, along with two of the state’s representatives, have told federal regulators that they oppose the merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern, citing projections of increased freight traffic in Chicago and its suburbs. “The proposed merger will reportedly more than triple freight rail traffic on […]

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How BNSF Railway corralled U.S. Class I volume growth: Analysis (updated)

Train rounds curve in mountains

Sometimes big stories hide in plain sight. One of them is the jaw-dropping way BNSF Railway has outgrown the other three big U.S. Class I railroads. Over the past two decades, BNSF has owned all of the tonnage growth on the big four U.S. systems. Its gross ton-miles are up 71% since 1996, BNSF’s first […]

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