Union Pacific reports stronger profits as volume grows in fourth quarter (updated)

Yellow locomotives on train of tank cars

OMAHA, Neb. – Union Pacific’s profits rose in the fourth quarter as volume increased 5% and operating costs fell. “Our strong fourth quarter results represent a great capstone to a very successful year for Union Pacific,” CEO Jim Vena said in a statement. “The team has fully embraced our strategy to lead the industry in […]

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Track buckling led to 41-car CP grain train derailment, TSB of Canada determines

Map of derailment site in Alberta

CALGARY, Alberta — Track that buckled in an area of deteriorated structure led to the derailment of 41 cars of a Canadian Pacific train near Bassano, Alb., on July 13, 2022, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said in an investigation report released today (Jan. 22, 2025). The 11,758-foot, 29,021-ton train had five locomotives — […]

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NS customers invest $4.3 billion in rail-served projects in 2024

Norfolk Southern logo

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern customers advanced projects representing $4.3 billion in industrial development along its lines or those of a shortline partner in 2024, the railroad said today (Jan. 22). The investments involved 149 projects, including 65 representing $1.2 billion in investment and 1,700 jobs that were completed and began shipping on the railroad. Overall, […]

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House bill would update tax credit for short lines

Blue and yellow locomotives switching

WASHINGTON — In a notably bipartisan move, the top Republican and Democrat on the House Ways & Means Subcommittee on Tax have introduced a bill to update a tax credit that has been crucial to short line infrastructure investment. U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), chairman of the subcommittee, and Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), the ranking member, […]

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News & Products for the week of January 21st 2025

News & Products for the week of January 21st 2025   Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of January 21st, […]

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Reading & Northern achieves record freight revenues in 2024

Frieght train with two green and yello locomotives crosses river on steel girder bridge

PORT CLINTON, Pa. — With a change in traffic mix more than offsetting a decrease in carloads, the Reading & Northern achieved record freight revenues in 2024, the railroad has announced. The privately held railroad had previously announced record passenger ridership  [see “Reading & Northern marks record excursion ridership …,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 8, […]

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Fuchs named Surface Transportation Board chairman (updated)

Man speaking at podium

WASHINGTON – Patrick Fuchs has been named chairman of the Surface Transportation Board. The appointment of Fuchs, a Republican, was announced Monday, Jan. 21. He was confirmed to his second five-year term on the board on May 14, 2024. Prior to his appointment to the STB in 2019, Fuchs was senior professional staff member working […]

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FRA approves first autonomous rail car test program

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration will allow Parallel Systems to test its autonomous, self-propelled flatcar system on a pair of Genesee & Wyoming short lines in Georgia. The FRA last week approved the request from Parallel, Georgia Central Railway, and Heart of Georgia Railroad. In August 2023 the Los Angeles-based Parallel and the G&W […]

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Union Pacific official tells shippers of plans for online, security improvements

Smiling man at podium

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — When people in shipping or logistics discuss the advantages of trucking over railroads, one of the things they talk about is ease of use. Union Pacific is working on addressing that, at least when it comes to its online portal for customers, says Kenny Rocker, executive vice president, marketing and sales. “Some […]

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