WASHINGTON — A communication breakdown over granting permission for a train movement into the yard, as well as regarding placement of a portable derail device, was the probable cause of the August 2022 fatality of a Union Pacific conductor at a yard in El Paso, Texas, the National Transportation Safety Board determined in its final […]
The recent shortage of Amtrak long-distance sleeper cars has hoisted the venerable, but rapidly aging, Superliner equipment into the spotlight again. You can read more about past and present Superliner woes in the article, “Superliner capacity not a new issue”, appearing in the July 2024 issue of Trains magazine. But first, catch a glimpse of […]
The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, commonly known as the Burlington Route, had many other Zephyrs. While not as prestigious as the Pioneer, Twin Cities, Mark Twain, Denver and California Zephyrs, these other streamlined trainsets and services, famously named after the Greek God of the West Wind, deserve a spotlight. Sam Houston Zephyr Fort […]
Rock Island passenger trains: All through May 2024, Classic Trains editors are celebrating the history and heritage of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific. Please enjoy this photo gallery of Rock Island passenger trains, originally published online in July 2017. […]
AUSTIN, Texas — Two Central Texas county judges have announced the formation of a committee to pursue passenger rail service in the region. The Austin Monitor reports that Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Bexar County judge Peter Sakai this week said they have fored the Texas Passenger Rail Advisory Committee, a 24-member group seeking […]
CHICAGO — Freight train operations across the U.S.-Mexican border should be as seamless as they are across the U.S.-Canadian border, Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena told a shipper group last week. Cross-border trains entering the U.S. from Canada use Canadian crews to reach the nearest rail yard — and vice versa. “I never used to […]
Rock Island history is a mighty good history. In 1847 the Rock Island & La Salle Rail Road was chartered to build between Rock Island, Ill., on the Mississippi River, and La Salle, where connections would be made with the Illinois & Michigan Canal to Chicago. Contractor Henry Farnam persuaded the organizers to extend the […]
MEXIA, Texas — About a dozen cars of grain derailed on a Union Pacific train Wednesday evening near Mexia, KCEN-TV reports. KXXV-TV places the incident in Shiloh, Texas, about 5 miles southeast of Mexia, and says it occurred about 6:45 p.m., after heavy rains and flooding in the area led to a washout, according to […]
PYOTE, Texas — About 20 cars of a Union Pacific intermodal train derailed today (May 1) near the West Texas community of Pyote, KMID/KPED-TV reports. The Ward County Sheriff’s Office reported it responded about 3 p.m. to a report of a derailment adjacent to Interstate 20. No injuries were reported and no hazardous materials have […]
PRESCOTT, Kan. — It’s been a rough few days for BNSF Railway. In the latest incident, the railroad advised customers today (Monday, April 29) of a washout that occurred Sunday afternoon near Prescott, Kan., on its Fort Scott Subdivision. In an updated report, BNSF announced the line had been reopened at 2:15 p.m. CT. Prescott […]
TRENT, Texas — About two dozen cars of a Union Pacific train derailed east of Trent on Tuesday, April 23, KTXS-TV reports. The derailment occurred about 8 p.m.; a UP spokesman said there were no injuries and no releases of hazardous materials. Images on the station website show derailed double-stack containers. KTAB/KRBC-TV reports that high […]
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota’s transportation secretary has injected a note of reality into discussion of possible Amtrak service in the state. That discussion gained life in February with the inclusion of two routes serving South Dakota among the 15 in a Federal Railroad Administration report on its ongoing Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study [see […]
