WASHINGTON — A Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger would reduce shipping options for farmers and make them more vulnerable to price increases, economists for the American Farm Bureau said in an analysis released today (Wednesday, March 11). The long-term effect of the merger could be increased consumer prices for food as expenses rise throughout the food […]
OMAHA, Neb. — In “The Tempest,” Shakespeare wrote, “what’s past is prologue,” meaning history sets the context for the present and dictates future events. Except, apparently, when it comes to transcontinental railroads. In an exclusive interview with Firecrown Media news site FreightWaves, Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena fired back at critics of his company’s blockbuster merger […]
Trains Turntable: Commentary from CPKC CEO Keith Creel Over the last several months, the Class I railroads not named Union Pacific or Norfolk Southern have been accused of opposing the largest, most unnecessary proposed rail merger ever attempted because those railroads are afraid to compete or are selfishly afraid it will hurt their business. Those […]
Looking to add a model of one of the newest freight cars on the rails to your HO layout? Then you’ll want to check out the Greenbrier 5-trough transverse coil gondola from Rapido Trains. The model, based on a prototype introduced in 2021, features plastic and die-cast metal construction, 36″ metal wheelsets, and metal semi-scale […]
In this product review video, Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno examines the Athearn HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD40-2. Cody begins with the prototype history, noting that EMD produced more than 3,900 units between January 1972 and February 1986. These six-axle units were rated at 3,000 horsepower and featured a 16-cylinder 645E3C diesel engine. The […]
In this product review video, Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno examines the Athearn HO scale Electro-Motive Division SD40-2. Cody begins with the prototype history, noting that EMD produced more than 3,900 units between January 1972 and February 1986. These six-axle units were rated at 3,000 horsepower and featured a 16-cylinder 645E3C diesel engine. The […]
WASHINGTON — Tariffs, geopolitical tensions, a persistently soft truck market, and an uncertain economy marked an eventful 2025, but U.S. rail traffic still managed to eke out a 1.5% gain last year. All six Class I railroads, in fact, posted year-over-year gains in overall volume. On paper, Canadian Pacific Kansas City recorded the biggest percentage […]
DUNSMUIR, Calif. — Operation of Amtrak’s Coast Starlight remains disrupted following a Sunday, March 1, derailment of a Union Pacific train at the Cantara Loop near Dunsmuir. According to a local TV report, about 19 cars derailed Sunday evening. UP told the broadcaster today (Tuesday, March 3) that no hazardous materials were involved and cleanup […]
PORTOLA, Calif. — The Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola will host a fundraising dinner on April 8 as part of a visit by Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy No. 4014. The dinner will feature a presentation by Ed Dickens, senior manager of heritage operations at UP. Tickets, priced at $100, are available here and […]
WASHINGTON — A proposed new, 6-mile Union Pacific branchline in the Phoenix area would have no significant environmental impacts so long as mitigation recommendations are followed, the Surface Transportation Board’s Office of Environmental Analysis said today. As a result, the project — dubbed PIRATE for Pecos Industrial Rail Access Train Extension — will not require […]
LINCOLN, Neb. — Legislation designed to provide tax incentives to keep Union Pacific’s headquarters in Omaha faced no opposition during a hearing in the Nebraska Legislature on Wednesday, Feb. 25. While Legislative Bill 1165 does not mention UP, its sponsor, state Sen. Brad von Gillern (R-Elkhorn), told the Revenue Committee hearing that it’s no secret […]
WASHINGTON — Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have asked the Federal Railroad Administration to waive cab-signal requirements that otherwise would restrict where UP’s 4-8-8-4 Big Boy No. 4014 could operate on its historic eastern swing this summer. In Feb. 10 letters to the FRA, the railroads sought permission to operate the Big Boy in cab-signal […]
