October coal train derailment to dent CSX fourth quarter financials

Overturned coal hopper next to bridge

PALM BEACH, Fla. — CSX expects to take a $40 million hit in the fourth quarter due to lower than expected coal and automotive shipments. An Oct. 25 coal train derailment in Providence Forge, Va., and subsequent cleanup shut the railroad’s route to its Newport News, Va., export terminal for 12 days. [See “CSX coal […]

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UP now expects to file NS merger application around Dec. 16

Freight train with two yellow locomotives passing under signal bridge

PALM BEACH, Fla. — Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern now expect to file their merger application with federal regulators around Dec. 16, two weeks later than they had originally hoped. UP CEO Jim Vena told an investor conference on Tuesday that one of the contractors working on a section of the application needed additional time […]

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Steam locomotive profile: 2-6-6-6 or Allegheny

Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-6 Allegheny No. 1603

In 1940, the Chesapeake & Ohio needed new locomotives to meet a burgeoning demand for transportation. Its biggest engines were a fleet of single expansion 2-8-8-2s, purchased in the mid-1920s to haul coal on its line across the Alleghenies, where tunnel clearances prevented the use of anything larger. In the 1930s, C&O embarked on rebuilding […]

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Wabtec completes acquisition of Austrian signaling company

PITTSBURGH — Wabtec has strengthened its Digital Intelligence business by finalizing the acquisition of Frauscher Sensor Technology Group GmbH, a signaling technology company that offers train detection, wayside object control solutions, and axle counting systems. “This strategic acquisition is another step in executing Wabtec’s long-term growth strategy, which will provide enhanced value for our customers, […]

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Norfolk Southern and Amtrak team up with Toys for Tots for holiday train in New York

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Norfolk Southern, Amtrak, and the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation will team up on Dec. 13 for the 26th run of their Holiday Train over the former Delaware & Hudson between Binghamton and Delanson, N.Y. Since its inception, the Holiday Train partnership has collected hundreds of thousands of toys and […]

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BNSF asks STB to review UP’s compliance with UP-SP merger conditions

WASHINGTON — BNSF Railway has asked the Surface Transportation Board to review Union Pacific’s compliance with conditions that the board imposed to preserve competition after UP’s 1996 acquisition of Southern Pacific. Due to considerable overlap between the UP and SP systems, the STB granted BNSF the ability to serve customers at so-called 2-to-1 locations, where […]

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East Troy Industrial Park track and train control Part Three: Painting and ballasting track

Two different colors of ballast used on a model railroad layout is viewed from overhead

By the time you’ve laid and wired your track and installed your train and turnout control system, it’s easy to let construction of your new layout take a back seat to running trains. After all, the entire purpose of building the layout is to be able to have a place to enjoy operating your model […]

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Noland, president of South Shore Line commuter agency, to retire

Man in blue suit and red tie

CHESTERTON, Ind. — Mike Noland, president of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District — operator of South Shore Line commuter service — for 11 years, has announced his plans to retire early in 2026. Noland announced his plans at the board’s Nov. 24 meeting, WVPE Radio reports. Noland told the board he had originally planned […]

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Bauer named as CEO of Siemens Mobility North America

Smiling dark-haired man in black sweater and white shirt

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Tobias Bauer has been named president and CEO of Siemens Mobility North America. The appointment, announced last week, is effective today (Dec. 1, 2025). Bauer, who has been with Siemens for more than 20 years, will lead more than 4,500 employees in the U.S. and Canada. “We’re delighted to name Tobias Bauer […]

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Montreal prepares for another transit strike

Blue and silver subway trains side by side

MONTREAL — The union representing Montreal transit maintenance workers has announced plans for a strike beginning Dec. 9. Buses and the Metro rail system will continue operating, although some services could be affected as the strike goes on. The strike, slated to run through Jan. 11, will see the maintenance workers refuse to work overtime. […]

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SMART-TD ratifies new five-year agreement with Union Pacific

Logo of SMART-TD union

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Members of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division have ratified their tentative agreement with Union Pacific, the union announced Friday (Nov. 28). More than 80% of SMART-TD members voted in favor of the five-year agreement, which includes a compounded wage increase of 18.77% over the life […]

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California high speed project issues request for proposals for track construction

Aerial view of bridge over dirt pathway of railroad right-of-way

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California High Speed Rail Authority this week issued a Request For Proposals for the contract to build track and related systems for the 119-mile first segment of the project, between Merced and Bakersfield. The $3.5 billion contract will be one of the nation’s largest for rail infrastructure. Proposals from interested companies […]

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