NTSB urges SEPTA to pull Silverliner IV cars from service, citing fire risk

Meet of electric multiple-unit commuter trains

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board on Wednesday urged the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to remove its Silverliner IV coaches from service until the Philadelphia-area commuter agency can mitigate fire risk in the fleet. The NTSB concluded that the outdated design of the Silverliner IVs, in combination with SEPTA’s maintenance and operating practices, represents […]

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Primus challenges his dismissal from the Surface Transportation Board

Man in gray suit speaking at podium

WASHINGTON — Robert E. Primus filed a federal lawsuit today challenging his dismissal from the Surface Transportation Board. President Donald Trump fired Primus on Aug. 27 without giving a reason for the decision. The president has sought to exert greater control over independent agencies like the STB. He has ousted Democratic members of the Federal […]

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Angel could be CSX’s final CEO: Analysis

Two blue and yellow locomotives leading train of tank cars

Steve Angel joins CSX Transportation as its eighth chief executive in the railroad’s 45 years, and the Tarheel native could well be the railroad’s last CEO if the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger prompts a BNSF-CSX allegiance. As the industry possibly faces its final round of consolidation, CSX has to do something. While it may seem […]

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Federal shutdown affects railroad regulatory agencies (updated)

Trains Washington Watch logo

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration will furlough 23% of its staff as a result of the partial government shutdown that began today. The agency’s Office of Railroad Safety — which is responsible for investigating rail accidents as well as inspecting railroad equipment and facilities to ensure compliance with federal regulations — will continue working […]

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VIA Rail delays test of nonstop Montreal-Toronto service

trains under bridge

VIA Rail Canada has postponed its plan to test nonstop service between Montreal and Toronto, CBC reports. VIA Rail had sought to test express train service between Canada’s largest cities beginning Sept. 29, but said it would have to hold off due to “operational constraints” on Canadian National. The express service would shave 30 to […]

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BNSF to shippers: Speak up about UP-NS merger (updated)

Train rounding curve in mountains

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway says Union Pacific’s proposed acquisition of Norfolk Southern will reduce rail competition, raise rates, curtail service, and likely lead to an operational meltdown. BNSF unveiled a position paper on the UP-NS combination yesterday while encouraging customers to voice their concerns with the Surface Transportation Board, which will review the […]

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STB proposes streamlining, improving rail data collection

NS freight train in farm country

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board today proposed streamlining and improving reporting requirements for Class I rail carriers, including the weekly operational performance measures that serve as a network bellwether. The board aims to improve the quality of performance data that the railroads report each week. It also proposes adding two new service measures: An […]

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Signal workers’ union rejects tentative contract agreement

FRONT ROYAL, Va. — The Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen has rejected the tentative agreement reached with the National Carriers Conference Committee, the union said on Tuesday. The rank and file voted the agreement down, with 52.89% casting “no” votes. “Our members have spoken,” BRS President Mike Baldwin said in a statement. “The BRS remains committed […]

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SMART-TD welcomes departure of CSX CEO

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The SMART-TD union today welcomed the departure of CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs, saying the appointment of Steve Angel as chief executive is an opportunity to improve the labor-management relationship. “With the appointment of Steve Angel as CSX’s new Chief Executive Officer, SMART TD hopes that this change can mark the beginning of […]

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Brightline revamps schedules, pricing, and train length

View from bridge of white and yellow locomotive and passenger train

MIAMI — Beginning Oct. 6, Brightline is making sweeping changes that adjust schedules, capacity, and pricing to capture ridership and revenue for both its Miami-West Palm Beach and South Florida-Orlando clientele. Hourly round trips between Miami and Orlando will be reduced from the current 15 to 10, departing about every two hours, while short-distance frequencies […]

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Maintenance responsibilities shift for San Joaquins and Capitol Corridor (revised and updated)

Passenger train with "Fresno, Calif." station sign in foreground

Editor’s note: San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority Interim Director David Lipari provided additional information on Oct. 6, 2025, that corrects and expands upon information that was not available or mischaracterized in the original report. Updated Oct. 7 at 11.45 a.m. OAKLAND, Calif. — Transit America, a subsidiary of Herzog Transit Services, Inc., has been tapped […]

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