Ask Trains: Why do EOTs only flash at night?

An orange end of train device is seen atop the rear coupler of a passing train

EOTs — end-of-train device Q: In track side watching and in videos, I note that end-of-train devices only flash at night. Why is this? — William Carpenter West Chester Township, Ohio The Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee (NORAC) rulebook used by most northeastern railroads states that each train occupying a main track or controlled siding […]

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Water by unit train may expand beyond mines in Australia NEWSWIRE

CHARBON, Australia — The Southern Shorthaul Railway has begun moving unit trains of water between two coal mines in the western region of New South Wales to keep one mine from shutting down and saving 140 jobs. The area is suffering from a prolonged drought, and government officials are watching the trains, with the thought […]

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Two intermodal trucking companies see revenue increases, but lower intermodal volumes NEWSWIRE

Hub Group is viewing its intermodal business as a glass half-full, while Schneider sees theirs as half-empty, based on second-quarter results the companies released last week and comments made in investors’ conference calls. Both companies provide services in intermodal, trucking, and supply chain management. Hub Group and Schneider saw intermodal revenue increases despite lower volumes. […]

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Coal exports decline, railroad impacts starting to surface NEWSWIRE

NEW YORK CITY — Considered a stopgap a few years ago for declining U.S. coal production and its effects on transportation providers, the export market — especially that in Europe — is fading. Lower natural gas prices are hastening European conversion of power generation away from coal, says an analysis released by investment bank Morgan […]

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Trinity Industries releases new ‘hourglass’ autorack car NEWSWIRE

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Hourglass autorack car from Trinity Industries Trinity Industries DALLAS — Trinity Industries has developed an auto rack it says is designed for safer and more efficient loading. Trinity, which is involved in the manufacturing, leasing, and maintaining of railcars, introduced the car earlier this year, according to CEO Tim Wallace. While Wallace says the move […]

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CN promotes grain handling prowess, establishes ‘Agricultural Advisory Council’ NEWSWIRE

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MONTREAL — As part of its commitment to enable the growth of Canadian natural resources supply chains, Canadian National is pleased to announce that it has published its 2019 to 2020 Grain Plan and that it has established a CN Agricultural Advisory Council. The Grain Plan reviews CN’s performance during the previous crop year, which […]

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CP puts damper on plans for more ‘Hiawathas’

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MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin’s plans for increasing Chicago-Milwaukee Amtrak Hiawatha service may not be as close to fruition as state officials have believed. Canadian Pacific Railway, the host railroad for much of the Hiawatha route, has released a letter to the state’s rail program manager saying it will not support additional service without additional improvements […]

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CN, CP optimistic about prospects for more crude oil traffic NEWSWIRE

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Canadian National power leads a westbound empty oil unit train through River Forest, Ill., on the Union Pacific on Aug. 25, 2018. TRAINS: David Lassen Canadian National and Canadian Pacific are cautiously optimistic that Alberta crude oil shipments will rise significantly this year if production curtailments are eased and the province’s crude-by-rail contracts are shifted […]

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