CHICAGO — Not one but three Metra trains passed through a grade crossing in Mokena, Ill., where the gates and signals had failed to operate properly, narrowly missing several vehicles, Metra officials acknowledged Wednesday. The incidents took place Nov. 9 on Metra’s Rock Island line at the 191st Street crossing. A near hit involving one […]
Section: News Wire
Rose continues assault on Precision Scheduled Railroading NEWSWIRE
BNSF Executive Chairman Matt Rose TRAINS: David Lassen LOMBARD, Ill. — Matt Rose continues spiking hard on Precision Scheduled Railroading. Speaking before the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers on Wednesday, BNSF Railway’s executive chairman laid out additional considerations and problems he sees with the continued roll-out of PSR. He spoke candidly on the topic a […]
Several light rail projects to debut in 2019 NEWSWIRE
A Denver RTD light rail train approaches the University of Denver station in September 2018. The system is slated to open a 2.3-mile extension in 2019. TRAINS: David Lassen This is part two of Trains News Wire’s look at transit projects in 2019. Tuesday’s part 1 is available here. Today’s article focuses on light rail […]
Two western U.S. railroad museums had a great 2018 and have big plans for 2019 NEWSWIRE
The Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden hopes to cover more of its outside exhibits in 2019. Trains: Jim Wrinn SACRAMENTO, Calif. and GOLDEN, Colo. – Two prominent western U.S. railroad museums made significant progress in 2018 and are moving ahead with ambitious plans for 2019. In Sacramento, the California State Railroad Museum created an exhibit […]
West Virginia short line expands NEWSWIRE
A Big Eagle Railroad coal train, operated by train crews with Appalachian Railcar Services, hauls loaded CSXT hoppers to the CSX interchange at Chesapeake, W.Va., along the former Winifrede Railroad’s 6-mile branch line. Chase Gunnoe CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Watco Cos.’ Kanawha River Railroad is expanding its presence in southern West Virginia with the operation of […]
2019 to be a boom year for transit projects NEWSWIRE
A TEXRail train passes the station at Grapevine, Texas. The first new transit system of 2019, TEXRail began full service on Jan. 10. Lance Lassen Denver RTD’s G Line, using the same equipment shown on the A Line route serving the airport, is expected to open in 2019. TRAINS: David Lassen First of two parts […]
Canadian agency to investigate rail performance in Vancouver, B.C., area (updated) NEWSWIRE
VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Canadian Transportation Agency announced on Monday that it will investigate rail freight performance in the area of Vancouver, British Columbia — the first time it is using its new authority to launch such investigations. Canadian National and Canadian Pacific responded with statements defending their performance in the Vancouver area, with CP […]
Illinois Railway Museum begins fundraising to move Milwaukee Road car, plans for 2019 NEWSWIRE
Milwaukee Road “Buffeteria” 126 Illinois Railway Museum UNION, Ill. – The Illinois Railway Museum has begun a fundraising campaign to transport a former Milwaukee Road “buffeteria” car from Chamberlain, S.D., to the museum grounds. The car, former Milwaukee Road No. 126, was built in 1948 by the Milwaukee Shops as a standard 48-seat diner. In […]
Metra, Amtrak service resume on CN route to Joliet NEWSWIRE
A Metra Heritage Corridor train approaches the Lemont, Ill., station in April 2016. Service on the line has resumed after Monday’s cancellations because of a freight derailment. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — Metra and Amtrak service have resumed on Canadian National’s line between Chicago and Joliet following a one-day interruption because of a freight-train derailment. […]
New Mexico commuter ridership continues to fall NEWSWIRE
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico Rail Runner ridership continued to decline in fiscal 2018, marking its eighth straight year of decreases, and a report issued ahead of the start of the state legislative session suggests ways to stem the decline. The Associated Press reports that the more than 750,000 rides in the most recent fiscal […]
Illinois mayor who tangled with Hunter Harrison at CN dies at 69 NEWSWIRE
Then CSX Transportation CEO E. Hunter Harrison, right, speaks before the Surface Transportation Board in 2017. R.G. Edmonson AURORA, Ill. — Tom Weisner, the former mayor of Aurora, Ill., who passed away recently at the age of 69, was honored at a service Monday for his leadership of Illinois’ second-largest city. But beyond the city’s […]
Class I railroads expected to report record earnings starting this week NEWSWIRE
Class I railroad earnings expectations Bill Stephens CSX Transportation will lead off the Class I railroad fourth-quarter earnings reports on Wednesday in what’s expected to be a parade of record results across the industry in a year when volume was up, costs declined, and revenue grew even faster. For the fourth quarter and the full […]
