WASHINGTON — Total U.S. weekly rail traffic was down 13.2% last week compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads reported today. Total carloads for the week ending Jan. 20 were down 22.4% compared with the same week in 2023, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was down 4.5% compared to 2023. […]
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board today adopted a final rule to amend its emergency service regulations in order to provide immediate relief for shippers in certain situations. The rule, adopted unanimously, clarifies that the board may act on its own initiative to direct emergency rail service. It also establishes an accelerated process for review […]
PERRIS, Calif. – After sitting dormant for more than 30 years, a rare Fairbanks Morse H12-44 switcher made its public debut on Saturday, Jan. 20, following a multi-year restoration at the Southern California Railway Museum. Built in 1956, ATSF No. 560 was part of an order of six H12-44s built for the Santa Fe. They […]
WASHINGTON — For the first time in more than eight years, the Amtrak board of directors has new members. The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed the nominations of Christopher Koos, Anthony Coscia, and Joel Szabat to serve on the board, the first time the Senate has confirmed board members since 2015. Koos, the mayor of […]
CANCÚN, Mexico — Ticket sales for the Maya Train passenger rail operation have been halted barely three weeks after service was inaugurated between Cancun and Palenque on Jan. 1, the Cancún Sun reports, following “significant technical issues” on Friday, Jan. 19. Operations have been stopped indefinitely while workers perform inspections to determine the cause of […]
BOSTON — A second trainset of equipment built by China’s CRRC has begun running on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Red Line — three years after the first such train entered operation, the website Streetsblog Mass reports. The second trainset entered service earlier this month, an MBTA spokesman confirmed to the website. The first had […]
MONTREAL – Canadian National expects traffic to bounce back this year due to a combination of an improving economy and the railway’s own growth projects, executives said today while announcing fourth-quarter results that included lower volume, revenue, and profits. “Through 2023, our team of dedicated railroaders leveraged our scheduled operating model to deliver exceptional service […]
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX was named the recipient of the inaugural W.F. Thompson Award for Class I Operating Performance for 2023. The award, presented by analyst firm Loop Capital, is designed to recognize the Class I railroad with the best operational performance in a calendar year. “By any measure, CSX had a strong year in […]
UXBRIDGE, Ontario — After nearly 30 years of operation, the York-Durham Heritage Railway is shutting down for good. The railroad said it is ceasing operations immediately and has filed for insolvency protection. The announcement came just days after President and CEO John Perks resigned. The railroad opened Sept. 14, 1996 and operated on 12 miles […]
WINNIPEG, Manitoba – Bison Transport has reached an agreement with Canadian Pacific Kansas City to provide cross-border intermodal service linking Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. “Our relationship with CPKC positions Bison to be the leading multimodal freight solutions provider that can service Canada, the United States, and Mexico,” Rob Penner, Bison Transport President and CEO, […]
WASHINGTON – The $12 billion Brightline West high-speed passenger rail project got a boost today in the form of $2.5 billion in private activity bonds, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced. Brightline West aims to build a 218-mile dedicated passenger railroad between Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Trains would operate at speeds of up […]
WASHINGTON — Through this Thursday, Jan. 25, travelers seeking to visit multiple destinations on Amtrak’s route system over a 30-day period — and who don’t mind riding coach all the way to do it — can buy a USA Rail pass for $449. That’s a $50 saving from the regular $499 price but $150 more […]
