The union that represents conductors says it will ask the Federal Railroad Administration to deny CSX’s request to become the first railroad to use Trip Optimizer’s Zero-to-Zero feature, which allows the advanced cruise-control system to automatically start and stop trains. After a round of tests in 2020 and 2021, CSX initially sought FRA permission to […]
PITTSBURG, Kan. — Short line holding company Watco is adding another railroad to its stable: Great Lakes Central, the operator of 420 miles of state-owned trackage in Michigan. Watco already knows the railroad well. It has been an equity investor in the GLC since 2013. “The Great Lakes Central Railroad has been a vital part […]
PITTSBURGH — Wabtec Corp. has gained approval to become a certified telematics vendor for RailPulse, the manufacturer has announced. The RailPulse coalition of railroads, railcar builders and leasing firms, and related parties is developing industry-wide standards for real-time railcar location tracking and data regarding car condition — such as whether doors or hatches are open […]
WASHINGTON — After a one-week dip into negative territory, U.S. weekly rail traffic has climbed back above 2024 levels. According to the Association of American Railroads, volume for the week ending March 1, 2025, was 508,531 carloads and intermodal units, a 5.4% increase over the same week a year ago. That includes 222,757 carloads, up […]
CHICAGO — Michael Naatz has been named as chief operating officer at Anacostia Rail Holdings, the company has announced. Naatz most recently was executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Kansas City Southern, after previously serving as senior vice president, operations support, and chief information officer, leading intermodal operations, mechanical, service design, and information […]
CHICAGO — Longtime rail executive Jerry Peck is the new president and general manager at the Belt Railway of Chicago. Peck, who started railroading in 1973 in train service with the Illinois Central, worked for two decades at Canadian National, ascending to general manager before taking the same position with Canadian Pacific in the U.S. […]
CALGARY, Alberta — Minnesota’s Elbow Lake Co-op Grain and Cargill Elva of Manitoba are CPKC’s grain Elevators of the Year for the 2023-24 crop year, the railroad has announced. The award recognizes grain customers for moving high volume from a single loading point while demonstrating efficient railcar loading and a strong commitment to safety. The […]
WASHINGTON — Cargo theft cost U.S. Class I railroads more than $100 million in 2024, the Association of American Railroads says, calling for more federal efforts to address the thefts and more effective prosecution of those arrested. The AAR says in a recently released fact sheet that organized criminal groups are increasingly targeting freight moves, […]
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Members of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers have ratified a new five-year agreement with CSX Transportation, the railroad announced today (March 3, 2025). “IAM’s ratification is a testament to the strength of our partnership with union leadership,” CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs said in a press release. “This underscores our […]
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has turned down a request to reconsider its approval of construction of Utah’s Savage Tooele Railroad. In a decision issued today (March 3, 2025), the board’s four members agreed that those who had petitioned for reconsideration — the Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, Erda Community Association, and two […]
News & Products for the week of March 3rd 2025 Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of March 3rd, […]
Well, I left everybody hanging with the end of my last story, the Cascade Tunnel adventure. The adventure continued even after my conductor, Chris, and I left our freight train inside the 7.9-mile-long Cascade Tunnel after the ventilation failed and hurried our light engines to daylight — and fresh air. Once outside, Chris and I […]
