Here's what we've got in the works for June

Cover Story:

Class Is on the Longer Train Trend

All Class Is are trying to lengthen trains to gain operational efficiencies, and not only for grain. Intermodal trains are getting longer, too.

For example, Canadian Pacific continues to work toward an export grain supply chain model that calls for operating 8,500-foot-long unit trains with a minimum of 134 hopper cars. The longer trains enable CP to transport 20 percent more grain per trip compared with 112-car unit trains. The railroad is extending and building sidings, and collaborating with grain companies and port operators to run longer trains.

But this trend is drawing concerns from the leaders of several rail labor unions, who believe crews are not adequately trained to operate longer trains and have difficulty maintaining brake pressure on them. In addition, lengthy trains block grade crossings for longer periods of time, union leaders claim.

How are Class Is faring when it comes to extending the length of trains and at the same time addressing labor issues? For answers, we contact executives at several of the large roads.

CP:

Union Strife Might Mean a Strike

Canadian Pacific for months has tried to negotiate contracts with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers that would cover 3,000 conductors and engineers, and 360 signal maintainers. The negotiations have been dicey to say the least, with the unions issuing a 72-hour strike notice to CP in mid-April.

To ward off that work stoppage, the Class I issued final contract proposals to the unions in late April. Union members were expected to conclude voting on those proposals on May 25, and another 72-hour strike notice was a distinct possibility if they rejected the contracts. We provide an update on the labor situation and whether CP resolved the strike threat in time or was still facing a work stoppage.

Transit:

Last-Mile Services

Over the past decade, transit agencies across the country have invested billions of dollars on light- and commuter-rail lines so that millions of people can regularly take a train to where they need to go. But what about travelers whose final destinations are too far to walk from the train station? For those folks, many transit agencies have come up with solutions to the first-and-last-mile dilemma. We take a look at what some agencies are doing to solve those riders' "first-and-last-mile" transit dilemma.

Mechanical:

Annual Fleet Stats

Our annual compendium of rail-car and locomotive statistics, Fleet Stats features an array of Association of American Railroads' facts and figures, including selected car fleet data, freight-car installations, the fleet by car type and age, and locomotives acquired and rebuilt.

MOW:

Rail Grinding

For railroads, rail grinding can help minimize potential for derailments and extend rail life. In this month's technology roundup, service providers and suppliers of grinding and related equipment share information on their current offerings.