Short line train derails in Oklahoma

Logo of the South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad, a Watco property

RAMONA, Okla. — At least 10 cars were reported to have derailed on Sunday in an incident involving a South Kansas & Oklahoma train near Ramona. KWON Radio reports the derailment occurred shortly after noon, according to the Ramona Volunteer Fire Department, and that officials with Washington County Emergency Management say that County Road 3500 […]

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‘Empire Builder’ disruptions triggered by snow, mechanical issues

Passenger train at station with snow on the ground.

CHICAGO — The Chicago-Seattle/Portland, Ore., Empire Builder is finally on the road to recovery after incurring significant challenges during the past week following a late October High Plains snowstorm and related issues. A series of delays throughout the week culminated in eastbound train No. 8 departing Seattle more than 5 hours late on Saturday, Oct. […]

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Attorneys General call for additions to federal proposal on hazardous-material information (corrected)

Aerial view of derailment cleanup and track work

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry and 12 of her counterparts have indicated their support for a rule requiring railroads to make hazardous-material information available to first responders, and are calling for the rule to be expanded to strengthen aspects of its communications requirements. Henry said in a Friday press release that the […]

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SEPTA, Transport Workers Union avert strike with tentative agreement

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority logo

PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority on Friday averted a strike that would have shut down trolley, subway, and bus service, reaching an agreement with its largest union, Transport Workers Union Local 234. The one-year agreement was reached about 4:30 a.m. Friday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports, and must be ratified by a majority of […]

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Virginia Railway Express seeks to add Saturday service

Two commuter trains side by side

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Virginia Railway Express is in discussions with its host railroads over plans to launch Saturday service for the first time in the commuter operator’s 31-year history, the Washington Post reports. The move is part of VRE’s effort to lure riders back to the system in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The […]

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Work begins to replace Metro-North’s Park Avenue Viaduct

Electric multiple-unit trains meet with New York City skyline in background

NEW YORK — Work has begun on rebuilding of the Park Avenue Viaduct, the 130-year-old elevated route to Grand Central Terminal and Harlem-125th Street Station that is used by 98% of Metro-North Railroad trains — a project Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi pointed to as the most important state-of-good repair project faced by the Metropolitan Transportation […]

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