Missouri congressman seeks to block two-person crew rule

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WASHINGTON — A Missouri congressman has introduced a resolution seeking to nullify the Federal Railroad Administration’s two-person crew requirement announced earlier this month. U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Springfield, Mo.) introduced the Congressional Review Act resolution in the wake of the FRA requirement [see “FRA issues rule requiring two-person train crews,” Trains News Wire, April 2, […]

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News photos: BNSF train derailed by tornado in Nebraska

Aerial view of derailed freight cars

WAVERLY, Neb. — A BNSF train was derailed this afternoon when it was struck by a tornado between Waverly and Lincoln, Neb.. The tornado was one of a series in an outbreak across the Midwest today (Friday, April 26). KSBN-TV reports the incident occurred about 3:25 p.m., according to a BNSF representative. There were no […]

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BNSF derailment, fire close Interstate 40 (updated)

Aerial image of burning railcars

GALLUP, N.M. — A BNSF Railway train derailed and caught fire near the Arizona-New Mexico state line at midday Friday, forcing the closure of Interstate 40, KOB-TV reports. The derailment on BNSF’s Gallup Subdivision about 12:42 p.m. Mountain Time, according to an initial BNSF report to customers. BNSF places the incident near Lupton, Ariz., approximately […]

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CP 2816 begins Final Spike tour

Steam locomotive surrounded by people

CALGARY, Alberta — After its first public display on Wednesday, Canadian Pacific No. 2816 begins the CPKC “Final Spike Steam Tour” today, traveling from Calgary to Medicine Hat, Alta., on the first leg of a two-day trip to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where its next display event is scheduled. The first U.S. display date is April […]

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MBTA extends contract of commuter operator Keolis by one year

Commuter train at station platform

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has extended the contract of Keolis Commuter Services, which operates the agency’s commuter trains, by one year to mid-2027, the CommonWealth Beacon reports. The agency said the extension allows time to develop a new contract arrangement for its future operator that would help provide private-sector funding to help […]

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MBTA extends current Blue Line maintenance closure

Portion of MBTA rail transit map

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will extend the current maintenance closure of the Blue Line by two days, to April 30, to complete work needed to eliminate 16 speed restrictions, the agency announced Thursday at a board of directors meeting. The current Blue Line project began April 17, first involving a closure between […]

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New York MTA releases ‘Climate Resilience Roadmap’

Commuter train rounds sharp curve

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Thursday released its Climate Resilience Roadmap, outlining steps the agency has identified to protect New York’s transit system from the effects of climate change. The 130-page report, unveiled in an event at Metro North Railroad’s Mott Haven Yard, outlines 10 goals to address the impacts of flooding, […]

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BNSF dispatchers join FRA’s Confidential Close Call Reporting System

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway’s train dispatchers will participate in the Federal Railroad Administration’s Confidential Close Call Reporting System under an agreement announced today. BNSF becomes the second Class I railroad to participate in the Confidential Close Call Reporting System, or C3RS. Norfolk Southern joined the program in March. The American Train Dispatchers Association, […]

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Completion of Maya Train pushed back to September

Passenger train on bridge

CANCÚN, Mexico — Completion of Mexico’s Maya Train, originally touted as coming in February and subsequently projected for April or May, has been pushed back to September after a decision to modify plans to avoid further damage to underground caverns along the incomplete section of the 950-mile tourist rail system. The work in the 120-kilometer […]

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FRA issues safety bulletin following death of maintenance-of-way worker

Logo for Federal Railroad Administration

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration issued a safety bulletin today in the wake of a fatal accident involving a maintenance-of-way worker who was pinned by an excavator’s bucket. “FRA is actively investigating this accident, and is issuing this bulletin to remind railroads, railroad employees, and railroad contractors of the importance of ensuring proper safety […]

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