Tank car history 101

White tank cars pass a railroad signal showing a red light. A green tree is behind the signal

Tank car history traces back more than 150 years. Today, tens of thousands of tank cars are in service on North American railroads. They are used for various liquids and gasses, and their cargos include petroleum products, chemicals, and food-grade substances. Tank cars can be pressurized or non-pressurized, insulated or non-insulated, and — depending on […]

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New Orleans historic streetcar line to receive spark in additional ADA compliance

New Orleans Streetcars logo

New Orleans — The historic St. Charles streetcar line of the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is expected to receive a spark in additional improvements in its ADA compliance and handicapped accessibility. This will be possible with over $5 million in funding from a recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, recently announced by Congressman Troy […]

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Norfolk Southern reaches $310 million East Palestine settlement with EPA, Justice Department

WASHINGTON — Norfolk Southern reached a $310 million settlement today with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Justice Department regarding cleanup and ongoing monitoring in East Palestine, Ohio, which was the site of a disastrous hazardous materials derailment last year. The agencies said the agreement, which must be approved by a federal court, holds […]

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Wisconsin governor proposes passenger trains to NFL Draft

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers official portrait

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has proposed running special Amtrak trains to Green Bay during next year’s NFL Draft. In the last few years, the draft announcements have become big business, drawing thousands of people to host cities. The 90th version of the NFL Draft will be held in Green Bay, home […]

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Downed catenary halts Amtrak and commuter service between New York and Philly

Electric locomotive and passenger cars rounding curve

Amtrak and commuter service between New York and Philadelphia was suspended for hours at the height of the evening rush hour on Wednesday after catenary came down in Kearny, N.J. Service between New York and Newark, N.J., was initially suspended at 5:05 p.m., prompting backups that cascaded along the Northeast Corridor. An Amtrak spokesman told […]

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Olympia & Sand Creek, Sidetrack Ep. 5 | Painting a horse figure

As the Sidetrack Series trots along, David shares his technique for painting the ponies. But following his savvy advice, he begins by decorating the details (harness, hitch, etc.). After painting the body and other fine features, David then demonstrates how to give the steed a suitable, well-weathered appearance. But don’t hitch your horse to this […]

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CPKC and Teamsters Canada remain at impasse, with no new contract talks scheduled

Train of hopper cars with grain elevator in background

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference made no progress on their stalled contract talks this week and no further negotiations are planned, the railway and union said in updates on Wednesday. Although Wednesday marked the end of a mandatory 21-day cooling off period under Canadian labor law, the Canada Industrial […]

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Intermodal leads U.S. rail traffic to a weekly gain

Intermodal train passing through steel girder bridge

WASHINGTON – Total U.S. weekly rail traffic rose 0.9% for the week ending May 18, up 474,886 carloads and intermodal units compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads reported on Wednesday. Total carloads for the week ending May 18 were 214,092 carloads, down 4.8% compared with the same week in […]

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Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 to pull public excursion

Three-quarter shot of 4-6-4 steam locomotive with maroon trim and tender

SILVIS, Ill. — Railroading Heritage of Midwest America and the Central States Steam Preservation Association announced today that Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 will pull a public excursion June 29 on the Iowa Interstate Railroad. According to the two sponsors, the trip is being run as an educational fundraiser to promote railroad safety. The train […]

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Coal exports resuming through port of Baltimore

Coal hoppers enter tunnel

CSX and Norfolk Southern expect to resume normal export coal operations at the port of Baltimore in the coming days now that the 50-foot shipping channel has been reopened in the wake of the deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The March 26 collapse of the bridge following a ship strike blocked marine […]

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Ohio Rail Development Commission awards grants to three railroads

Logo of Ohio Rail Development Commission

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Rail Development Commission has announced grants totaling more than $1.65 million for infrastructure projects for the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway, East Ohio Valley Railway, and Camp Chase Railway. These grants join the previously announced grant of more than $1.23 million for R.J. Corman’s Western Ohio Lines [see “Two R.J. […]

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Colorado voters unlikely to be asked to fund Front Range rail project this year

Map of proposed Fort Collins-Pueblo rail service

DENVER — It appears a ballot measure to fund Colorado’s Front Range Passenger Rail project will not go to voters until 2026. Colorado Public Radio reports that members of the Front Range Passenger District board said that a 2026 vote would be “the best course of action,” as it would allow the measure to go […]

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