Norfolk Southern and the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority are in preliminary talks on a deal that would expand passenger rail service while also preserving critical freight connections. While negotiations are in early stages, the framework of an agreement would allow VPRA to purchase the Manassas Line and pursue an option to extend passenger rail service […]
Watco recently began operating its 46th short line, the 3-mile Verdigris Southern Railroad (VESO) that serves the Port of Inola in Oklahoma. VESO serves one customer at the inland port, paper products company Sofidel America. Sofidel’s paper mill received its first seven boxcars of compressed wood pulp in mid-April, Watco reports in its June newsletter. […]
ATLANTA — After the turmoil of Norfolk Southern’s proxy fight against an activist investor last month, the railroad’s Stefan Loeb says the shareholders’ vote showed confidence in management’s strategy. While board chair Amy Miles lost her position, Norfolk Southern’s management mainly prevailed in the vote to retain control of the Class 1 railroad, with Ancora […]
DEL MAR, Calif. — The San Diego Association of Governments, which last year expanded the number of potential routes for a tunnel to replace the rail line along the Del Mar bluffs, has again narrowed the possibilities, this time to three choices, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. At one time, the planning agency had cut […]
TORONTO — Almost 12,000 Toronto Transit Commission employees, including streetcar and subway operators and bus drivers, could go on strike at 12:01 a.m. Friday — the first such walkout since 2008, Global News reports. It would be the first strike since a 2011 law blocking strikes was struck down in court. That law had designed […]
NOPALA DE VILLAGRAN, Mexico — A 29-year-old woman was struck and killed today while trying to take a photo during the passage of CPKC’s Final Spike Steam Tour train in the Mexican state of Hidalgo, according to multiple media reports. The news site Debate reports that the woman was standing next to the tracks trying […]
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The CSX heritage locomotive fleet has grown to 15 with the addition of a locomotive honoring the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie. CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs released the first photos of the unit, No. 1875, on LinkedIn this afternoon. “Another great job by our ONE CSX team in Waycross, GA. Founded in 1875 […]
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. — Southern California commuter rail operator Metrolink has debuted new “smart crossing” technology at a San Juan Capistrano grade crossing, seeking to eliminate the activation of crossing gates when a train approaches a station and stops before reaching the crossing. The technology, known as a Wireless Crossing Nearside Station Stop, was made […]
BRACEBRIDGE, Ontario — The Ontario government has awarded three contracts for projects related to its plan to restore passenger service between Toronto and Timmons, Ont., according to a recent announcement. The contracts are for design and construction of nine new station shelters; track upgrades; and improved warning systems. Enseicom Inc. received the ctonract for the […]
DETROIT — Diana Ross, Jack White, Big Sean, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra headline the list of performers scheduled to appear this Thursday, June 6, as part of a 90-minute concert to celebrate the reopening of Michigan Central Station. The lengthy lineup for the concert for the long-closed landmark, purchased and restored by Ford Motor […]
WILLIAMS, Ariz. — Grand Canyon Railway steam locomotive No. 4960 has transitioned to its regular, once-a-month schedule after a busy April of public and private excursions [see “Grand Canyon No. 4960 concludes April operations…,” Trains News Wire, April 25, 2024]. The 2-8-2 was called on for two days of the “First Saturday” excursion in May […]
FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway today announced that Chief Marketing Officer Steve Bobb will retire in August after more than 36 years of service. Tom Williams, who currently serves as group vice president, consumer products, will succeed Bobb as executive vice president and chief marketing officer, effective Sept. 1. Jon Gabriel, currently vice president, […]
