Germany hit by second national rail strike in two weeks

German_Trains_Lassen

BERLIN — German passenger rail service is in the midst of a second two-day strike this month, part of a larger action by the GDL union, which represents the nation’s train drivers in a dispute with national rail operator Deutsche Bahn. Freight-train drivers went on strike at 5 p.m. local time Friday, with passenger drivers […]

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A visit to John Staschak’s O gauge layout

Overview of John Staschak's toy train layout with superimposed cover of September 2021 Classic Toy Trains

John’s layout appears in the September 2021 issue of Classic Toy Trains. It features tremendous trackwork and wonderful scenery (see the plan here), in addition to some spectacular modern trains. Watch and hear freight and passenger consists work their way around it. […]

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A visit to John Staschak’s O gauge layout

Overview of John Staschak's toy train layout with superimposed cover of September 2021 Classic Toy Trains

John’s layout appears in the September 2021 issue of Classic Toy Trains. It features tremendous trackwork and wonderful scenery (see the plan here), in addition to some spectacular modern trains. Watch and hear freight and passenger consists work their way around it. […]

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NTSB report: Track damage from flooding led to 2019 UP derailment, fire

Fort Worth fire

WASHINGTON — Flooding from a nearby lake that weakened and washed out track structure was the probable cause of a 2019 Union Pacific derailment and fire in Fort Worth, Texas, the National Transportation Board said in a report released Thursday. The April 24, 2019, incident saw 26 cars of a 98-train of ethanol derail at […]

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Illinois DOT announces project to unsnarl junction near St. Louis

Freight train crosses tracks near building being demolished

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced a $10.1 million project to improve rail operations in Mitchell, Ill., northeast of St. Louis. The project will reconfigure rail lines and replace a 97-year-old interlocking tower, with funding from six sources: $5.1 million from the Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvments […]

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CSX train derails in Indiana (updated)

Derailed cars, including tank car lifted above roadway

FOUNTAINTOWN, Ind. — Fourteen cars of a CSX train derailed this morning in an unincorporated area near Greenfield, Ind., blocking a state highway and knocking down some local power lines. CSX says in a statement that the derailment occurred about 8:11 a.m., and involved six empty cars and eight loaded cars. No hazardous materials were […]

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KCS shareholders to vote on CN merger on Sept. 3 (updated)

Canadian National and Kansas City Southern logos

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern shareholders will vote on the proposed merger with Canadian National on Sept. 3. KCS this morning convened and adjourned its previously scheduled special meeting of shareholders, delaying the vote in the absence of a Surface Transportation Board decision on CN’s request to put KCS into a voting trust […]

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Norfolk Southern service slowed by two derailments

Norfolk Southern logo

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern has issued customer advisories informing shippers of delays because of two derailments on its system. On Wednesday, the railroad reported a derailment near Meridian, Miss., would lead to delays of at least 24 hours on several routes, including its Meridian Speedway interchange with Kansas City Southern, Union Pacific interchange traffic, […]

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Weekly rail traffic shows intermodal drop, but carloads lead to slight overall increase

Weekly table showing U.S. rail traffic statistcis

WASHINGTON — Intermodal traffic slipped below same-week levels for 2020 in the latest statistics from the Association of American Railroads, as Class I railroads continue to deal with congestion in the international supply chain. U.S. railroads moved 269,799 trailers and containers for the week ending Aug. 14, a 3% decrease from the figure for the […]

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BNSF reopens Arkansas intermodal facility to address Memphis-area demand

BNSF Railway logo

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway has reopened its Harvard Intermodal Facility in Marion, Ark., to address Memphis-area demand and increase capacity. In a press release, the railroad reports international intermodal shipments originating at Pier T of the Port of Long Beach, Calif., will now terminate at the Harvard facility. The Harvard Intermodal Facility is […]

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