CSX, well before a deadline, reaches deal with three of its unions

Intermodal train crossing bridge

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation has reached contract agreements with three of its unions, four months before their existing contracts faced a key date under the Federal Railway Act. A company spokesman called the move “unprecedented,” and said the workers covered by the new contracts represent about 25% of CSX’ unionized workforce. The deals were […]

Read More…

Canadian commuter rail operations prepare for work stoppage

Blue and silver locomotive with commuter train

The potential strike by CPKC rail traffic controllers — set to begin Thursday morning — will scramble commuting in Canada’s three largest cities. Commuter rail operations in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal all rely on CPKC dispatching to varying degrees, and those operations will cease during a strike by controllers. Hardest hit will be Montreal, where […]

Read More…

Santa Fe 4-8-4 No. 3751 set for LA appearance in September

Steam locomotive at passenger station with modern building in background

LOS ANGELES — Santa Fe steam locomotive No. 3751 will make 2024 public debut this September at the Rail Safety: Los Angeles event, the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society has announced. The free, two-day event will be the largest rail safety event hosted in downtown Los Angeles in more than a decade. Taking place at […]

Read More…

Canada’s labor minister to meet with CN, CPKC, union

Teamsters_Canada_logo

OTTAWA, Ontario — Canada’s Minister of Labor, Steve MacKinnon, will meet with representatives of Canadian National, CPKC, and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Tuesday and Wednesday in an effort to avoid the work stoppage set to begin at 12:01 a.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 22. The CBC reports MacKinnon will be in Montreal, headquarters of […]

Read More…

Metro-North’s Waterbury Branch remains closed by flood damage

Wash-out section of railroad track

WATERBURY, Conn. — Service on Metro-North Railroad’s Waterbury Branch remains suspended following significant flood damage to the route on Sunday, Aug. 18, while Danbury Branch service was restored in time for the evening rush today (Monday, Aug. 19), the Metropolitan Transportation Authority reports. Waterbury Branch damage includes a significant mudslide between the Seymour and Ansonia […]

Read More…

Arizona fire that destroyed homes blamed on BNSF track work

Aerial view of fire in desert area near railroad tracks

WICKENBURG, Ariz. — A June wildfire that destroyed 15 structures near the town of Wickenburg and cost nearly $1 million to fight was caused by BNSF Railway work, according to fire officials. The 266-acre Rose Fire, which began on June 12 and was contained five days later, was started by sparks from a welder, grinder, […]

Read More…

More semaphores fall on Southwest Chief route

Passenger train passing semaphore signals

LAMY, N.M. — The last segment of U.S. mainline railroad still using semaphore signals has gotten smaller. Railroad officials in New Mexico replaced five semaphores with modern day CTC signals on Saturday, Aug.17, on a stretch between Lamy and Cerrillos on a section of original Santa Fe now owned by the state of New Mexico. […]

Read More…