Seminole Gulf Railway reopens line to Fort Myers, Fla.

Two locomotives lead gondolas across bridge

FORT MYERS, Fla. — More than 500 days after Hurricane Ian devastated Southwest Florida, and the Seminole Gulf Railway, on Sept. 28, 2022, the railroad has restored operations to Fort Myers. On Tuesday, the railroad operated its first test train across the Caloosahatchee River, having completed the rebuilding of four bridges and track structures across […]

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Metra signs deal with Stadler US for battery-electric trainsets

Blue and white two-unit trainset

CHICAGO — Stadler US will build eight two-car battery-electric trainsets for Chicago’s Metra, its first order for such equipment in the United States, the commuter operator and manufacturer announced today (Wednesday, Feb. 21). The eight trainsets are the initial order for an agreement that could expand to as many as 16 trainsets. While the trainsets […]

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Metra receives federal grant for new railcars

Two commuter trains meet on curve

WASHINGTON — Metra will receive $100 million to purchase 50 new multilevel commuter rail cars, the Federal Transit Administration announced today, part of almost $631 million in federal funding awarded through the FTA’s Rail Vehicle Replacement Program. Other awards — to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and the Maryland Transit Administration — had previously been […]

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FRA releases long-distance study interim report, invites comments

Map showing 15 proposed new Amtrak long-distance routes

WASHINGTON — Fifteen new or revived long-distance routes are presented in a new Federal Railroad Administration presentation to accompany the next round of meetings for its ongoing Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study. The 163-page PowerPoint presentation was issued prior to the third round of six regional workshops for stakeholders including Amtrak and state transportation officials, […]

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California orders six more hydrogen-powered trainsets from Stadler

Front view of blue and white passenger train equipment

SACRAMENTO — California’s Department of Transportation, Caltrans, announced a $127 million agreement with Stadler Rail on Wednesday to purchase six more hydrogen-powered passenger trainsets, bringing to 10 the number of the trainsets on order for use in the San Joaquin Valley. The funding comes $407 million for the California State Transportation agency to purchase or […]

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Wabtec to modernize more CSX AC4400 locomotives

Blue and yellow locomotive outside shop building

PITTSBURGH — Wabtec Corp. and CSX have announced a deal to modernize more than 200 locomotives, providing hardware and software upgrades to the railroad’s remaining AC4400 units. The locomotives will receive upgrades including the FDL Advantage engine and digital improvements such as Locotrol Expanded Architecture, which the companies say will provide fuel savings and carbon […]

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Bill seeks to block Arizona from accepting funds for passenger rail service

Logo of Arizona Department of Transportation

PHOENIX — Republican legislators in Arizona are seeking to block rail service between Phoenix and Tucson as a condition of continuing legislation to maintain the state’s Department of Transportation, the Arizona Daily Star reports. One of the conditions added to the continuing legislation, SB1184, by the Senate Committee on Transportation, Technology, and Missing Children is […]

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CSX debuts RF&P heritage locomotive

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – CSX has released its 10th heritage locomotive, No. 1836 honoring the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac. “Here is our latest ONE CSX Heritage Locomotive … the RF&P #1836! This one is from the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad, founded in 1836,” CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs wrote on LinkedIn today. “Richmond was the headquarters […]

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