Canadian National main line to Halifax washed out by flooding

Aerial image of washed out rail line

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — Canadian National’s main line to the Port of Halifax, Canada’s fourth-largest port, has been washed out as a result of flooding that caused “unimaginable” damage, according to Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston. Reuters reports a storm that arrived on Friday left more than 10 inches of rain in a 24-hour period […]

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11 cars of BNSF train derail in Montana

BNSF Railway logo

HAVRE, Mont. — Eleven cars of a 25-car BNSF intermodal train derailed Friday afternoon about 8 miles east of Havre, blocking the railroad’s Northern Transcon route. The derailment occurred at 4:39 p.m., the Havre Daily News reports, quoting a BNSF spokeswoman. Hill County Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator Amanda Frickel said one car was carrying […]

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Kansas City streetcar service resumes

Multicolored light rail vehicle on city street

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The KC Streetcar is back in operation. Streetcar service resumed this morning (July 21), 17 days after being halted because of track failure on a portion of the Main Street bridge over Interstate 670. The streetcar operator says multiple factors led to the track failure, including thermal expansion and degradation of […]

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Lawsuit filed in collision that derailed Silver Star

Amtrak logo.

LAKELAND, Fla. — A national injury law firm has filed suit against three trucking companies and a driver over the collision that derailed an Amtrak train July 14 in Lakeland, sending eight people to the hospital for treatment of injuries. WFLA-TV reports the suit was filed against Lastre Auto Transport, M&L Auto Transport, and Betan […]

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Timeline for Canada’s high-frequency rail corridor grows longer

VIA_Map

MONTREAL — High-frequency rail is developing at something other than a high-speed pace in the hands of the Canadian government. The CBC reports that Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said Thursday that he hopes the proposed passenger-only route between Toronto and Quebec City could be operation by the mid-2030s, rather than early in that decade, as […]

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Spaces open up on 2023 Trains Magazine tour of Switzerland

Train with red passenger cars on curving stone bridge leading to tunnel

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Late cancellations mean a few spaces have opened up on Trains Magazine’s Majestic Switzerland 2023 tour, set for Sept. 14-25, and limited to a maximum of 30 participants. The 2024 edition of the tour, organized by Trains’ partners at Special Interest Tours, is also now available. Join one of Trains’ staff members […]

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Lionel The Chessie Legacy Greenbrier

Lionel The Chessie Greenbrier front

The Lionel The Chessie Legacy Greenbrier is big. It’s colorful. It’s a steam engine. Should steamers be colorful? Like it or not, fantasy paint schemes on them seem to be an attractive alternative to the prototypical (mostly) black models. This one was featured in 2022’s Volume 2 catalog. A look back at previous offerings indicates […]

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LIRR Far Rockaway service restored after Wednesday derailment

Detail of Long Island Rail Road system map

FAR ROCKAWAY, N.Y. — Long Island Rail Road service has been restored this morning on the Far Rockaway Branch after a derailment during Wednesday evening’s rush hour. WABC-TV reports the lead car of an eastbound train derailed while entering the Far Rockaway station about 6:30 p.m. Some 50 passengers were on board, but no injuries […]

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Ottawa still awaiting estimate when light rail service will resume

Red and white light rail train rounds curve

OTTAWA, Ontario — Ottawa’s transit agency will increase the number of buses replacing light rail service along the shuttered Confederation Line as of today (July 20), but it still has no estimate when rail service will resume. OC Transpo General Manager Renée Amilcar said that operator Rideau Transit Group was “developing a plan” for resuming […]

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FRA gives environmental go-ahead for California segment of Brightline West

Illustration of high-speed Brightline West train

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration last week provided environmental clearance for a Southern California section of the proposed Brightline West high speed rail line to Las Vegas, Nev., moving the project closer to construction. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports the FRA determined there would be no significant environmental impacts for the 49-mile extension from […]

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