Illinois bill proposes merger of Chicago transit agencies into single organization

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State legislators have proposed a plan to merge Chicago’s three transit agencies and their parent organization into a single entity, and provide $1.5 billion in additional funding for the new organization, WTTW-TV reports. The 621-page HB 5829, introduced by state Rep. Evan-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) would create the Metropolitan Mobility Authority, replacing commuter […]

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Latest CSX heritage locomotive wears Pere Marquette passenger livery

Pere Marquette is the newest heritage unit to join the growing CSX fleet of locomotives honoring its predecessor railroads. “Here is our latest CSX Heritage Locomotive celebrating the Pere Marquette line,” CEO Joe Hinrichs wrote on LinkedIn Monday night. “Locomotive #1899 represents the three Michigan-based railroads that merged to form the Pere Marquette to serve […]

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Alberta to develop province-wide passenger rail plan

Woman speaking at podium in front of steam locomotive

CALGARY, Alberta — The government of Alberta is developing a “Passenger Rail Master Plan” that seeks to create a provincial rail system include a line linking Calgary and Edmonton, commuter rail networks around those two cities, and routes to parks in the province’s mountains, Premier Danielle Smith said in a Monday press conference. The province […]

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Missouri River Runners again cancelled by UP derailment

Derailed cars accordioned in wooded area

LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. — Missouri River Runner service has been canceled today, the second day of cancellations because of a Union Pacific derailment early Sunday near Kansas City, according to the Amtrak Alerts feed on social media site X. The through Lincoln Service/Missouri River Runner trains that operate between Chicago and Kansas City are originating […]

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Influential proxy advisory firm recommends that Norfolk Southern shareholders side with activist investor Ancora Holdings (updated)

Red, white, and black locomotives with train of equipment for training first responders

In a significant boost to activist investor Ancora Holdings, one of the two major proxy advisory firms has recommended that Norfolk Southern shareholders vote in favor of six of its seven dissident board candidates. Glass Lewis made the recommendation in a report issued on Sunday, which concludes that Ancora has made a compelling case that […]

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Long Chicago-Quad Cities Amtrak service impasse illustrates hurdles for new routes: Analysis

Red wooden railroad station next to single-track line.

MOLINE, Ill. — Among the 69 projects receiving Federal Railroad Administration Corridor Identification and Development Program grants last December was a familiar route: Chicago-Quad Cities. Familiar because that route, in addition to being among the recipients of the $500,000 Corridor ID grant [see “Full list of passenger routes …,” Trains News Wire, Dec. 8, 2023], […]

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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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SunRail airport connection to Orlando attractions, Brightline Tampa route has $4 billion price tag

Commuter train at Spanish-style passenger station

ORLANDO—A Florida Department of Transportation study released Thursday projects improvements necessary to build a rail link from Orlando International Airport into the Interstate 4 corridor adjacent to convention facilities and theme parks would cost $4 billion. But the report to the board of directors for commuter rail operator SunRail’s indicates the investment would generate huge […]

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The Trains Interview: A Q&A with Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena

Trains News Wire spoke with Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena after the railroad’s first quarter earnings call this morning. [See Union Pacific profits improve despite drop in coal.] UP introduced a Service Performance Index that showed how well the railroad met customer commitments during the quarter. The Intermodal Service Performance Index was 95%, while the […]

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Racine council calls for contract to study Milwaukee-Kenosha commuter service

Map showing rail line and stations between Kenosha, Wis., and Milwaukee

RACINE, Wis. — The city of Racine is continuing efforts to revive the proposed Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee commuter rail project along Union Pacific’s line through those communities, with the Racine Common Council calling for a contract to study infrastructure needs for the project. According to the construction industry publication the Daily Reporter, the council passed a resolution […]

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