Bourdon joins New York, Susquehanna & Western as general counsel

Head-and-shoulders image of woman with red hair in white blouse and black coat

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Katherine Bourdon has been appointed as general counsel for the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway, the railroad announced this week. The appointment was effective Aug. 20. Bourdon has more than 20 years of experience in railroads and transportation, including 15 years as an attorney. She will lead the railroad’s legal affairs, […]

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Amtrak honors CPKC for host-railroad performance

Two passenger trains meeting on straight track

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Amtrak has recognized CPKC as its top host railroad in 2024, the ninth straight year the company or predecessor Canadian Pacific has topped the annual host railroad report card. CPKC was the only railroad to receive an “A” grade on the 2024 report card, although the other five Class I rairloads […]

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Maintenance-of-way union ratifies contract with Union Pacific

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NOVI, Mich. — Members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division of the Teamsters Rail Conference have ratified a new contract with Union Pacific. The new contract, including raises totaling 18.5% over five years, covers about 6,600 workers at UP, as well as improved vacation policies and health and welfare benefits — terms […]

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Lake State Railway unveils locomotive honoring Pere Marquette Railway

Dark blue, yellow, and white locomotive

SAGINAW, Mich. — Lake State Railway on Thursday (Aug. 21, 2025) unveiled a new heritage locomotive honoring the predecessor Pere Marquette Railway. Lake State Supervisor of Yard Operations Travis Vongrey, a second-generation railroader with the company, developed the concept and design for the “Spirit of Pere Marquette,” newly acquired SD70M No. 6437, one of eight […]

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Nova Scotia plans study of light rail, commuter rail options

Map of Halifax, Nova Scotia, area

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — The Nova Scotia government is planning to study the possibilities of developing light rail in Halifax and commuter rail in the area of the province’s largest city, which accounts for 63% of the Nova Scotia population. The government is seeking qualified consultants to carry out a rail feasibility study through a […]

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FTA seeks changes to Capital Investment Grants program

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WASHINGTON — The Federal Transit Administration will seek to remove one of the environmental components from its Capital Investment Grants program, FTA administrator Marc Molinaro said today (Aug. 21, 2025). The revision will remove “social cost of carbon” calculations from the ratings criteria used to award those grants — the federal government’s largest program to […]

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Philadelphia makes plans for SEPTA cuts

Map of SEPTA rail network showing lines to be cut

PHILADELPHIA  —  The City of Philadelphia has announced measures it will take when the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority begins enacting major service cuts this Sunday (Aug. 24, 2025). Meanwhile, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has announced new transit options for those in neighboring South Jersey. “We all know the best way to keep the region […]

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Metra adding trains on BNSF, UP North lines

Silver and read locomotive on commuter train

CHICAGO — Metra will add service on its most-used route, the BNSF Line, and make changes to two of its Union Pacific lines in September, the commuter operator has announced. On the BNSF Line between Aurora, Ill., and Chicago, the schedule effective Sept. 8 will include two new morning inbound express trains and two afternoon […]

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