OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s legislature has passed a bill to simplify sale of state-owned rail lines, sending the legislation to Gov. Kevin Stitt for his signature. Senate Bill 341 calls for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to seek requests for proposals to purchase railroad assets owned by the state. Interested parties would have 120 days […]
BRUNSWICK, Maine — Maine Switching Services on Monday (April 28) finalized a lease agreement with Maine’s Department of Transportation that will allow freight operations to resume on the 56.6-mile, state-owned former Maine Central branch between Brunswick and Rockland, Me. The operating entity will be known as the Cumberland & Knox Railroad (CKRR), named for the […]
WASHINGTON— Federal regulators will determine whether BNSF Railway can use its trackage rights over Union Pacific to reach a new short line railroad in Utah. The Surface Transportation Board yesterday rejected Union Pacific’s request to dismiss the case regarding the Savage Tooele Railroad. Savage held a groundbreaking ceremony in November for the railroad [see “Groundbreaking […]
FEDERALSBURG, Md. — Shortline company Carload Express has officially assumed control of the Maryland & Delaware Railroad, a move approved by the Surface Transportation Board earlier this year. The transaction — approved by the STB in a decision announced Jan. 2 — became official on April 23. The railroad’s rebuilt Alco RS3m locomotives have been […]
ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is calling for Amtrak to revise its plans for East River Tunnel repairs in light of cuts to Empire Service operations that began on Monday, as well as concerns about the impact on Long Island Rail Road commuters. Also, one of New York’s members of Congress has […]
AUSTIN — As one effort to build a high speed rail line in Texas continues to meet with opposition, another is trying to overturn a law passed to help block the first attempt. Legislators have introduced a bill calling for construction of a high-speed route between Dallas and San Antonio via Austin, as well as […]
Summary: This article discusses riding Amtrak’s Palmetto, which runs an 829-mile route between New York City and Savannah, Georgia. It highlights the Palmetto‘s unique characteristics as a long-distance train without dining cars or sleeping accommodations. The article also delves into the train’s history, including its origins in 1976, its various route changes and service adjustments […]
ASHBY, Neb. — A tornado is being blamed for derailing an empty BNSF coal train on Sunday evening (April 27, 2025) near the town of Ashby, News Channel Nebraska reports. The derailment was reported about 6:27 p.m. CT, and involved the derailment of about 130 cars. The lead locomotive was not affected, and the two […]
SACRAMENTO — California legislation that would limit train lengths and require wayside detectors cleared its first hurdle in the state legislature last week, advancing through the Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Communications. The bill, which advanced by a 12-4 vote on April 21 with one committee member not voting, was introduced in February by […]
NEW YORK — After two reprieves, Amtrak service changes on its Empire Service route north of New York City are set to begin on Monday, April 28. The schedule revision will see suspension of one round trip: train No. 238, an 11:40 a.m. departure from Albany, and No. 235, a 3:15 p.m. train from Penn […]
BOSTON — After a bumpy first month include delays, cancellations, and bus substitutions, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has announced it will extend its introductory free weekend travel offer on the South Coast Rail extension through May. The 37-mile addition to the MBTA’s commuter rail launched March 24, adding six new stations and bringing rail […]
On the day of Pope Francis’ funeral in Vatican City — scheduled to begin at 4 a.m. ET — the latest edition of News Wire recommended reading begins with the European website Railtech.com looking at the Pope’s connection to trains — which begins with the fact he was the son of a railway worker. Also […]
