Superliner shortage limits Illinois eclipse viewing ridership potential

Passenger train crosses road and approaches signal

CARBONDALE, Ill. — For a few hours Thursday, travelers along Illinois’ Chicago-Carbondale Amtrak corridor could book a daytime round trip to next Monday’s solar eclipse “path of totality,” thereby avoiding monumental traffic jams along parallel highways that occurred during a similar event in August  2017. But that window of opportunity closed when seats that briefly […]

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CN to acquire, test first plug-in diesel-battery hybrid locomotive in British Columbia

Canadian National logo

MONTREAL — Canadian National will purchase a plug-in, hybrid diesel-battery mainline locomotive from Progress Rail, the companies announced today. The first-of-its kind unit for North America will be evaluated on CN’s main line in British Columbia, starting in Prince George and the northern part of the province, to increase the railroad and rail industry’s knowledge […]

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Nova Scotia government ends subsidy for dormant portion of short line

Map of railroad in Nova Scotia

CAPE BRETON, Nova Scotia — The government of Nova Scotia has ended a subsidy for a dormant section of short line in the province because it sees no chance the line will be restored to operation any time soon, the CBC reports. The move regarding the Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway comes after […]

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CN modernizes DM&IR fleet with acquisition of 600 new iron ore jennies

MONTREAL — Canadian National is acquiring 600 new iron ore jennies for its former Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railway operation in Minnesota. Freight Car America is building the cars in Mexico using materials from U.S. Steel, the onetime owner of DM&IR. CN transports iron ore pellets mined by U. S. Steel to the company’s […]

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Teamsters Canada calls for strike authorization vote by CN and CPKC train crews (updated)

CN intermodal train stopped in mountain setting

The union representing Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City engineers and conductors in Canada has authorized a strike vote as labor and management remain far apart on new contracts. Leaders of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference told their members on Thursday that a strike vote will be held from April 8 to May 1. […]

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STB denies CPKC request to give CN’s acquisition of Iowa Northern a more thorough review

Canadian National and lease locomotive with Iowa Northern locomotives on bridge

WASHINGTON – Federal regulators have rejected Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s contention that Canadian National’s proposed acquisition of 218-mile short line Iowa Northern should be subject to a more thorough review as a “significant” transaction. In a decision issued on Friday, the Surface Transportation Board denied CPKC’s petition that had asked the board to reconsider its […]

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CN derailment reported in Sarnia, Ontario

Canadian National logo

SARNIA, Ontario — Fourteen cars of a Canadian National train, including three tank cars carrying liquified petroleum gas, have derailed this morning as the train entered the railroad’s Sarnia yard, CKNX Radio reports. No leaks have been reported. At least one grade crossing, at St. Andrew Street, has been blocked by the derailment. No other […]

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Canadian government to fund rail project at Port of Montreal

Containers on dock at port

MONTREAL — The Canadian government will fund a C$16.75 million project to improve rail access and add storage at the Port of Montreal, Transportation Minister Pablo Rodriguez announced Monday, March 25. The project will include rehabilitation of, and adding a fourth track to, the Pie-IX rail bridge, along with adding a storage area, which Transport […]

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News Photos: CN business train in Illinois

Theater car at end of business train

BARTLETT, Ill. — Canadian National’s business train makes a stop at Spaulding Junction in Chicago’s western suburbs to board officials and invited guests during a trip on Wednesday, March 20. The train was led by Wabtec AC44C6M No. 3309, the locomotive featuring the revived steam-era “wafer” logo [see “Canadian National revives …,” Trains News Wire, […]

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Illinois senators meet with CN CEO about Chicago Hub project

Passenger train with Chicago skyline in background

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth (both D-Ill.) met with Canadian National Railway CEO Tracy Robinson on Tuesday to discuss the railroad’s involvement in the Chicago Hub Improvement Program, the plan to modernize Chicago Union Station and rail routes leading to the station. U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Chicago) also participated in the […]

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Union, railroad take issue with TSB report on alcohol’s role in 2021 CN collision

Badly damaged locomotives from head-on collision

PRESCOTT, Ontario — The union representing rail traffic controllers and Canadian National Railway have both taken issue with a report by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada citing alcohol use by a controller as a factor in a September 2021 collision involving two CN trains — although for very different reasons. The report issued March […]

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Canadian government provides $6.7 million for improvements at Port of Thunder Bay

Aerial view of facility at port

THUNDER BAY, Ontario — The Canadian government will provide up to C$6.7 million for two projects to increase capacity at the Port of Thunder Bay, according to a Friday announcement. Up to C$3 million will go to a project to redevelop an existing rail yard at the Port’s Keefer Terminal, adding heavyweight track and switches […]

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