Digest: MARC commuter trains to resume full schedule in August

MARC commuter rail logo

After nine months of reduced service, full MARC schedule to resume Aug. 30 MARC commuter trains will resume full operations on Aug. 30, nine months after reducing service in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Baltimore Sun reports that Maryland Transit Adminstration officials announced the restoration of MARC and commuter bus service on Monday, while […]

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Digest: KCS asks regulators to block Canadian Pacific’s request for information

Kansas City Southern Lines logo

Kansas City Southern asks regulators to reject Canadian Pacific request for information Kansas City Southern has asked the Surface Transportation Board to reject a request from Canadian Pacific for information it seeks for CP’s efforts to merge with KCS, saying that under the termination of the merger agreement between the two railroads, CP no longer […]

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Analysis: The Precision Scheduled Railroading Pivot to Growth is a myth

Red locomotive with freight in Illinois

If you believe the storyline, Precision Scheduled Railroading has two chapters. The first is an obsession with costs and efficiency that ultimately results in a railroad that moves its tonnage with far fewer locomotives, freight cars, shops, yards, and people. The second chapter is the so-called Pivot to Growth, in which the lean-and-mean railroad uses […]

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Acquisition unlocks growth for Canadian Pacific in Eastern Canada

Railroad map of northern New England and eastern Canada

CALGARY, Alberta – A year after acquiring regional railroad Central Maine & Quebec – and regaining a part of its historic shortcut linking Montreal and the Atlantic – traffic growth is exceeding Canadian Pacific’s expectations. CP’s plans to gain transatlantic international intermodal business from Port Saint John, New Brunswick, have come to fruition. New finished vehicle traffic […]

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Distinctive Canadian grain hoppers near end of the line

Cylindrical grain hopper cars off wheels, on ground

WELLAND, Ontario — The Canadian grain scene is starting to become a lot less cylindrical. For the last 50 years Canadian Wheat Board cylindrical covered hoppers have dominated Canadian rails as the main way prairie farmers moved large grain shipments to coastal ports for export. But with Canadian National and Canadian Pacific investing in new […]

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CP, BNSF tell federal regulators they can handle rising traffic volumes

BNSF Railway logo

WASHINGTON – Canadian Pacific and BNSF Railway say they have enough crews, power, and other resources to handle surging demand for rail traffic. CP and BNSF are the first two Class I railroads to respond to the Surface Transportation Board’s request for updates about their ability to meet demand. Citing rail service problems, STB Chairman Martin […]

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Canadian Pacific goes old school in ad against CN-KCS merger

Political cartoon opposing CN+KCS merger

Canadian Pacific’s campaign against Canadian National’s proposed acquisition of Kansas City Southern took a new turn today with a half-page ad in The Washington Post that featured an editorial cartoon-style illustration – complete with caricatures of the three railroads’ chief executives. CP and CN skirmished on social media while KCS was considering their rival bids. […]

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STB seeks more detail on CN-KCS merger, sets timeline for voting trust comments

Surface Transportation Board logo

WASHINGTON – Federal regulators today asked Canadian National to provide more detailed financial information regarding its proposed merger with Kansas City Southern. The Surface Transportation Board, saying that it wants to take a cautious approach to CN’s request to put KCS into a voting trust while their $33.6 billion deal is under review, also set […]

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Digest: FRA, FTA release key documents on Gateway tunnel project

Amtrak train coming out of tunnel

Release of environmental report, Record of Decision allows Gateway tunnel project to move forward The Federal Railroad Administration and Federal Transit Administration have issued the final Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision on the Gateway tunnel project under the Hudson River, which clears the way for the project to receive federal funding.  “This […]

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Digest: CP says CN plan to sell line in Louisiana fails to address larger competitive concerns

Canadian Pacific Railway beaver logo

CP calls CN plan to sell KCS line ‘token divestment,’ remains critical of merger’s competitive impact Canadian Pacific says Canadian National’s plans to divest a Kansas City Southern line in Louisiana is “clear recognition” of the competitive issues created by the proposed CN-KCS merger. In a Thursday statement, CP also said the “token divestment” would […]

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Kansas City Southern selects Canadian National as merger partner (updated)

Canadian National and Kansas City Southern logos

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas City Southern has officially terminated its merger agreement with Canadian Pacific and chosen to partner with Canadian National in a $33.6 billion deal to create the first railroad linking Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. “We are thrilled that KCS has agreed to combine with CN to create the premier railway for […]

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