STRASBURG, Pa. — The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania has held the groundbreaking for a new roundhouse meant to provide protection for a half-dozen locomotives, most of which are currently displayed outdoors. The ceremony held Tuesday (July 29, 2025) marked the start of work on a 16,000-square-foot structure projected for completion in late 2026 or early […]
Magazine: Trains Magazine
Broken wheel led to CN grain train derailment: TSB
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — A broken wheel, which fractured after sustaining a dent to the back of the wheel plate, led to the derailment of a Canadian National Railway unit grain train in Manitoba in March 2024, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said in an investigation report released Tuesday (July 29, 2025). The derailment occurred […]
Rail Passengers Association expresses concern over UP-NS merger plans
WASHINGTON — The Rail Passengers Association said today it will be “actively involved in protecting the rights of passengers” as the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger is considered by the Surface Transportation Board. Amtrak had no comment on the merger announcement. Neither did commuter rail operator Metra, which has been involved in a lengthy legal and […]
CEOs say Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger will spur traffic growth
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern executives touted their proposed merger as a way to return to volume growth after losing market share to the highway since rail traffic peaked in 2006. “We can only go so far independently. And let’s face it, this industry has faced contraction over the last couple decades […]
Cement-products firm opens new facility on Oregon short line
LAKEVIEW, Ore. — Eco Material Technologies, producer of green cement products and supplementary cementitious materials, opened a new plant in southern Oregon today (July 29, 2025). It is the companyy’s first facility in the Pacific Northwest. The Lakeview Plant is located on the Goose Lake Railway, operator of the county-owned former Southern Pacific line connecting […]
Two unions announce opposition to UP-NS merger (revised)
Two unions — the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, and the Transport Workers Union of America — have announced their opposition to the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger proposed today by the two railroads. SMART said it will oppose the merger when it goes to the Surface Transportation Board for approval, […]
Machinists Union announces tentative agreement with Union Pacific
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers has reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with Union Pacific, the union announced today (July 29, 2025). IAM’s District 19 represents approximately 1,300 UP workers. Details of the agreement were not announced; union members will receive more information soon and are […]
Anacostia names Nuelle as chief commercial officer
CHICAGO — Anacostia Rail Holdings has named Todd Nuelle as its new chief commercial officer, the company announced today. Nuelle — who joins Anacostia from Canadian National — will succeed Eric Jakubowski, who is retiring. Jakubowski joined Anacostia in 2012 and is credited by the company with playing a key role in strengthening its commercial […]
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern reach $85 billion merger deal
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern today announced an $85 billion deal to tie their networks together and create the first U.S. transcontinental railroad. The merged company — which will be called Union Pacific — will transform the U.S. supply chain and economy, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and preserve all union jobs, the railroads said. UP will […]
Virginia state-supported Amtrak routes set ridership record
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia’s state-supported Amtrak operations set a new ridership record during the 2025 fiscal year that ended June 30, closing the period with a record for June ridership. According to the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, the four state-supported routes — serving Roanoke, Newport News, Norfolk, and Richmond — carried 1.45 million passengers, a […]
Missouri Congressman reintroduces bill to remove Amtrak right of preference
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) has reintroduced legislation that would strip Amtrak of its statutory right of operating preference on host freight railroads. It is at least the third time such legislation has been introduced, including the second by Burleson. The “Freights First Act” would eliminate the right of preference within 50 miles […]
Shipper groups oppose more railroad mergers
WASHINGTON — Groups representing rail shippers say they would be opposed to the creation of a transcontinental railroad in the U.S., arguing that further consolidation in the industry would reduce their competitive options, lead to higher rates, and worsen service. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern said last week that they are engaged in advanced negotiations […]
