Amtrak’s Vermonter derails at low speed

Amtrak logo.

NORTHFIELD, Mass. — No injuries were reported in a slow-speed derailment of Amtrak’s Vermonter this afternoon in Northfield, at a junction of the Berkshire & Eastern and New England Central railroads. Northfield Fire Chief Floyd Dunnel told WBBG and WSHM-TV that 113 passengers were on board the southbound train, and remained on the train with […]

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Seven Chicago-area suburbs join forces to address UP-NS merger

Freight train with yellow locomotives on curve

BERKELEY, Ill. — Seven suburban communities along Union Pacific’s east-west main line are organizing to pursue representation in the UP-Norfolk Southern merger proceedings. A memorandum to the president and board of the Village of Berkeley in Cook County says the community was contacted by the other six communities — Elmhurst, Lombard, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, and […]

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Union Pacific reports record financial results

Freight train with yellow locomotive

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific today reported record financial and operational results for 2025 despite a drop in fourth-quarter operating income. “The Union Pacific team delivered our best ever full year across safety, service and operating excellence,” CEO Jim Vena said on the railroad’s earnings call on Tuesday morning. “As we close out the year, […]

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Dech named new president of NICTD, operator of South Shore commuter line

Head shot of smiling man in coat and tie

CHESTERTON, Ind. — The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District has named David Dech, executive director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, as its next president. Dech will succeed Michael Noland on March 16 as president of the agency overseeing South Shore Line commuter rail service. Noland announced his plans to retire in November [see […]

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Menards produces 100 different structures

pepsi_factory

In an email sent to Classic Toy Trains, Menards announced a milestone. The manufacturer has produced 100 different O gauge structures. The prebuilt structures have included a wide variety of types, from downtown buildings to industries and automotive-related stations and garages. Most structures include plug-and-play lighting and are scenicked. To see Menards’ current line of […]

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OmniTRAX names Dreier as chief commercial officer

Head shot of man in coat and tie

DENVER — Rail and supply chain infrastructure company OmniTRAX has named Ryan Dreier as its new chief commercial officer, the company said today. Dreier joined OmniTRAX as executive vice president in 2025 from BNSF Railway. In his new role, he will oversee commercial strategy, sales operations, transload, and new business development for a company that […]

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Amtrak cancellations decrease, but storm impacts continue

Amtrak logo.

NEW YORK — Amtrak expects to see winter-storm impacts through, and possibly including, Thursday, Jan. 29, the company says in an advisory early today (Tuesday, Jan. 27). It does not offer details on cancellations or other service changes today. It recommends visiting the Amtrak website or app, or its NEC Alerts and Amtrak Alerts feeds […]

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NJ Transit, SEPTA, MTA continue storm recovery

Two commuter trains in snow

NJ Transit commuter rail operations will remain on a Severe Weather Schedule-Level 2 today (Tuesday, Jan. 27), while other transit systems in the Northeast continue to move toward or have restored regular operations following the severe winter weather last weekend. NJ Transit commuter rail schedules and other updates are available here. As of 8 a.m. […]

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