The Big Boy No. 4014 and Lincoln Locomotive No. 1616 appeared earlier this month in Wyoming and Colorado. (UP Photograph)

UP: Big Boy, Lincoln Locomotive Unite for Tour

Union Pacific’s (UP) Big Boy No. 4014 and Lincoln Locomotive No. 1616 last week rode the rails together for the first time as part of a limited excursion tour in Colorado and Wyoming.

(Courtesy of BNSF)

Class I Briefs: BNSF, UP

BNSF provides customers with an operational performance update. Also, Union Pacific (UP) delivers the first unit train to the new Graneleras Bartlett Monterrey Facility in Mexico.

Report: UP/NS Merger Afoot?

Union Pacific (UP) is in early-stage discussions to acquire Norfolk Southern (NS), “according to people familiar with the matter,” The Wall Street Journal reported July 17. “[T]here are no guarantees they will

Recently recognized at Union Pacific’s 50-Year Honorees ceremony, Principal Consultant Rita Pfingsten has the distinction of being the railroad’s only Tech employee to achieve 50 years of service. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of UP)
Commentary

Reflections of a 50-Year Tech Career: A Journey of Change

Change, change and more change. I’ve experienced huge technological and operational advancements during the course of my 50-plus year career in Tech.

“The strength of our transload network lies in partnerships—whether it’s third-party operators or short line railroads,” says Helen Quirke, Vice President, Supply Chain and Business Development at CN. “When we align our capabilities, we open up new markets, simplify logistics, and create real value for customers.” (CN Photograph)

Class I Briefs: CN, UP, CSX

CN eyes a transload network expansion with its Top-Tier Transload Partner Program. Also, Union Pacific (UP) replaces all rail infrastructure—inside a tunnel—in less than 24 hours on the Black Butte Subdivision, and opens applications for its third-annual Sustainability Partner Award program; and CSX’s Waycross, Ga., yard team marks a safety milestone.

Port Muskogee South (formerly Frontier Terminal) at 4511 Callery Drive, Muskogee, Oka. (Courtesy of Port Muskogee)

Port Muskogee Expands South With 125-Acre Site

The Muskogee City-County Port Authority (Port Muskogee) in Oklahoma has acquired 125.49 acres, with direct access to the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS), which the Port said will create “significant multimodal freight opportunities by river, rail and road.”

(Source: CPKC and Loop Capital)
Commentary

State of the Rails: Fourth of July Effect, Part 1

Given the Fourth of July effect in the most recent weekly data, we’ll give Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) a break from our weekly critique as it continues to try to restore fluidity after the May 3 U.S. IT cutover from
the old Kansas City Southern (KCS) Management Control System (MCS) to Canadian Pacific’s (CP) “TYES” system. Just kidding.

Commentary

‘Consolidation’ Has Resurfaced

FROM THE EDITOR, RAILWAY AGE JULY 2025 ISSUE: Consolidation: “The action or process of making something stronger or more solid,” or, “The action or process of combining a number of things into

Rail Briefs: CSX, BJRY

CSX receives the 2025 Diolkos Award. Also, Burlington Junction Railway (BJRY) celebrates its 40th anniversary.

(Courtesy of TriMet)
Commentary

WES: Commuter Rail Skirting Its Principal City

Most “transit railroads” in the United States (and GO Transit, which serves Canada’s Toronto area) provide a full span of service on most or all their lines, although there are a few

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