New rules coming for Stuart, Fla., rail drawbridge

Freight train with two locomotives and LNG tender crossing bridge

STUART, Fla. — The U.S. Coast Guard plans to issue revised rules governing the Florida East Coast Railway drawbridge over the St. Lucie River in Stuart on Friday, Aug. 11, WQCS Radio reports — but details on those revisions are not yet public. Operating rules for the bridge are a key concern for Brightline as […]

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FRA report: Norfolk Southern safety improving, but gaps remain

Aerial view of burning freight cars

WASHINGTON — Norfolk Southern’s commitment to safety has improved since the disastrous Feb. 3 hazardous materials derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, the Federal Railroad Administration said in a report released today. But the FRA’s 143-page supplemental safety culture assessment also found that NS often focuses on meeting minimum safety standards, has inadequate communications procedures, inconsistent […]

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Alstom to build 60 new passenger cars for Connecticut

Rendering of commuter rail cab car with black and red graphics

HARTFORD, Conn. — Alstom will build 60 new coaches for Connecticut commuter rail service, Gov. Ned Lamont announced today. Delivery of the first cars under the $315 million contract is expected in 2026. The cars are intended for use on the Hartford Line as well as New Haven Line branches. “Having a modernized transit system […]

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Landowners sue BNSF over damage from 2018 derailment

BNSF Railway logo

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Landowners at the site of a 2018 derailment near Doon, Iowa, are suing BNSF Railway, seeking damages for cleanup costs and reduced property values from oil spilled in the incident. The Sioux City Journal reports Philip, Kirsti, John, and Helen Kooima of Rock Valley, Iowa, have sued BNSF for negligence over […]

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BLET conducting strike vote for NJ Transit engineers

Commuter train approaching station

NEWARK, N.J. — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is conducting a strike authorization vote for 500 locomotive engineers employed by NJ Transit, the union announced on Monday. Balloting will be conducted through noon on Aug. 31. The union said in a press release that its contract dispute with NJ Transit dates to 2019 […]

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No injuries reported as CN trains collide in Alberta

Two derailed red and black locomotives and derailed freight cars

WAINWRIGHT, Alberta — Two Canadian National trains collided west of Wainwright about 10:30 a.m. today (Aug. 8), Global News reports. No injuries were reported. CN, in a statement to Global News, said two of its trains “came into contact with each other, resulting in several derailed rail cars in various positions.” The railroad said no […]

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Ottawa resumes some light rail service

Red and white light rail trainset in station

OTTAWA, Ontario — Ottawa has resumed some service on its light rail Confederation Line as of this morning (Tuesday, Aug. 8) and continues to plan for a full resumption of service on Monday, Aug. 14. Service resumed with five single-car trains between the Tunney’s Pasture and uOttawa stations, a seven-station segment on the west end […]

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From the Cab: Freight locomotives on passenger trains

A dark-colored freight engine is coupled ahead of a silver Amtrak locomotive next to a concrete walkway.

Freight locomotives on passenger trains can happen for a variety of reasons and make for memorable images. Early in Amtrak’s history, locomotives painted in the colors of freight-hauling railroads were common. In Amtrak’s “rainbow era” days, 50 years ago, the then-new National Railroad Passenger Corporation operated with leased or hand-me-down equipment, inherited from — and […]

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Metro-North union warns passengers of potential strike

Electric multiple-unit trainset rounds curve

NEW YORK — A union representing Metro-North Railroad employees has handed out flyers to commuters and placed ads in local newspapers warning of a potential strike as soon as September, the newspaper The Hour reports. Members of two locals of Transportation Workers Union, which represents approximately 600 inspectors, mechanics, and coach cleaners, voted last month […]

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BNSF completes double-tracking project at Sandpoint, Idaho

Trains on parallel bridges over river

SANDPOINT, Idaho — Thanks to an all-day work window on Aug. 6, 2023, the final track segments have been put into place to complete BNSF Railway’s 2-mile double-tracking project at the east end of its busy “Funnel” between Spokane, Wash., and Sandpoint. Completion of the new 4,873-foot bridge across Lake Pend Oreille in November 2022 […]

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Tracks cleared at site of CSX derailment in New York

Fire truck next to derailed tank cars on closed highway

AMSTERDAM, N.Y. — Tracks have been cleared and rail service can resume through the site of a CSX Transportation derailment that occurred west of Schenectady, N.Y., on Friday morning, a railroad representative told the Daily Gazette newspaper this afternoon (Monday, Aug. 7). Thirteen cars of a 157-car CSX train en route from Selkirk, N.Y. to […]

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