Hub Group sizes up watershed intermodal growth opportunity

OAK BROOK, Ill. — Hub Group sees the opportunity to gain 2.5 million intermodal loads from the watershed area in the country’s midsection if the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger is approved. The watershed, the area within a few hundred miles of the Mississippi River that also is the de facto dividing line between the big […]

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UP and NS seek faster merger review as rivals turn up pressure

Yellow and black locomotives leading train of tank cars

Eager to tie the knot, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have asked federal regulators for a faster review of their proposed transcontinental merger, Trains has learned. The Surface Transportation Board in September proposed a roughly 390-day schedule to review the railroads’ $85 billion deal. The calendar includes wiggle room that would allow the board to […]

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Sunset for a Union Pacific branch line train

Three yellow diesel locomotives roll through green fields at sunset

This Union Pacific branchline  train heads home at sunset near Platte Center, Nebraska on Aug. 22, 1988. The train — the Norfolk local returning to Columbus with a little bit of everything in tow — was a common enough sight at the time. The well-maintained motive power includes three, four-axle locomotives. The lead unit is […]

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Athearn HO Berwick bathtub gondola

Color photo showing B end of HO scale bathtub gondola painted faded black with simulated scrap metal load and red, white, blue, and yellow graphics on white background.

Athearn HO Berwick bathtub gondola Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $36.99 to $41.99; three-pack, $99.99 to $114.99 Era: 1977+ to 2020+ (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn HO Berwick bathtub gondola features: Body-mounted McHenry plastic scale couplers Machined metal wheels with RP-25 contours […]

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MSU professor: UP-NS merger can’t turn back the clock on carload decline

Black locomotive with train with yellow locomotives in background

EAST LANSING, Mich. — The Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger is unlikely to revive carload traffic — and it’s an open question whether it can unlock intermodal growth because of broader economic trends that are beyond railroads’ control, a Michigan State University supply chain management professor said during a webcast today. UP says its proposed $85 […]

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NS and UP launch interline intermodal service in Louisville, Ky.

Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific have launched their new domestic interline intermodal service linking Louisville, Ky., with UP terminals via interchange at Kansas City, Kan. GE Appliances is among the anchor customers on the service, which first rolled on Oct. 20, NS said today. The railroads announced the joint service on Sept. 15, roughly six […]

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WalthersProto HO EMD NW2 review

Color photo of HO scale end-cab switcher painted yellow and gray with red graphics on scenicked based with a sky blue backdrop.

An Electro-Motive Division NW2 has joined the ranks of the WalthersProto line. The newly tooled HO scale model, based on Phase I through IV prototypes, uses plastic and die-cast metal construction and features railroad-specific details, a factory-installed 11mm x 15mm cube-type speaker in both direct current and Digital Command Control versions, and body-mounted Proto-Max metal […]

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NTSB investigating fatal grade-crossing accident in Elgin, Ill.

National Transportation Safety Board logo

ELGIN, Ill. — The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a fatal collision on Thursday in Elgin involving a Union Pacific locomotive and a landscaping company pickup truck, the agency announced on social media. One person was killed and two were injured in the collision at the State Street grade crossing in Elgin, the Daily […]

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Union Pacific plans to send the Big Boy from coast to coast for America’s 250th

Fence separates spectators from steaming and smoking steam locomotive on curve

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific plans to send Big Boy No. 4014 on a transcontinental trip next year as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. “I want to run Big Boy across the country,” CEO Jim Vena told Trains on Thursday. Vena says that he’s had discussions with Norfolk Southern CEO Mark George about […]

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Vena: Rivals fear strength of a combined Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena says shipper associations and other railroads have whipped up some whoppers about UP’s proposed acquisition of Norfolk Southern — even before their merger application has been filed with federal regulators. “It’s truly amazing that they know already what we’re putting in the merger application,” Vena quipped during […]

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Union Pacific profits rise on operational efficiency, pricing gains

Two yellow diesel locomotives pulling a coal train. Progress Rail files antitrust suit against Wabtec

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific was firing on all cylinders during the third quarter, as pricing gains and record workforce productivity and fuel consumption led to higher profits despite flat volume. “We are focused on driving continued improvements in our pursuit of what’s possible … Core pricing gains and continued operational efficiencies drove the strong […]

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