Amtrak’s Borealis reaches 250,000-rider mark

Passenger train led by road-switcher style locomotive

CHICAGO — Amtrak’s Borealis reached the 250,000-passenger milestone during the July 4th holiday weekend, the passenger operator has announced. The train, funded by the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois, launched in May 2024. It continues to exceed initial passenger estimates, carring more than 18,500 passengers in its first month and reaching 100,000 riders in […]

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VIA Rail Canada marks ‘Ocean’ anniversary (updated)

Passenger train with stainless steel dome-observation car

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — VIA Rail Canada is marking 120 years of continuous operation of the Ocean, Canada’s oldest named passenger train, with ceremonies today (July 15, 2025) in Halifax. The event includes unveiling of restoration work at the Halifax station and public tours of the train’s equipment. “This isn’t just a train, it’s a […]

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Nevada Northern launches fundraising sweepstakes

black locomotive No. 93 with gray smoke

ELY, NEVADA — With all three of its restored steam locomotives down for repair and the busy summer season in full-swing, Nevada Northern Railway in Ely, Nev., has launched a “Steam Up Sweepstakes” to fund needed repairs and restore its iconic locomotives to full steam before the season slips away. More than $100,000 in prizes […]

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Storm aftermath leads to Amtrak delays on Northeast Corridor

Amtrak logo.

NEW YORK — Amtrak is cautioning passengers that Northeast Corridor operations may experience delays this morning (July 15, 2025) because of heavy rain overnight, while area transit agencies are also recovering from the storm. An Amtrak customer advisory says overnight weather impacts have led to some trainsets arriving later than usual, which may lead to delays […]

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Flooding hits Amtrak’s Keystone Service

Amtrak logo.

LANCASTER, Pa. — Amtrak’s Keystone Service is currently disrupted by flooding, with delays to continue into the evening after some service was suspended between Lancaster, Pa., and Harrisburg, according to the Amtrak NEC social media feed. Amtrak first reported the problem about 3:50 p.m. ET today (July 14, 2025), reporting that service had been suspended […]

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Justice Department and Norfolk Southern near settlement deal in Amtrak Crescent case

Amtrak train at station

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department and Norfolk Southern have reached a settlement in principle regarding the railroad’s handling of Amtrak’s Crescent. Government lawyers disclosed the agreement in a court filing last week, which requested additional time to finalize the settlement. U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson approved the parties’ request for a 60-day extension. […]

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C&NW No. 1385 returns to Mid-Continent museum

Flat car with steam locomotive on top breaks banner

NORTH FREEDOM, Wis. — The long wait for Chicago & North Western steam locomotive No. 1385 to return to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum is over. The Alco 4-6-0 returned home Saturday, July 12, after 12 years at Spec Machine LLC in Middleton, Wis., and a multi-day move from Middleton, sparking a homecoming celebration at the […]

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SMART-TD considers strike against CPKC

Train with red, yellow, and black locomotives at grade crossing

The union representing Canadian Pacific Kansas City conductors is polling members on a possible strike, claiming the railroad took advantage of a service crisis to make workplace job changes on the former Kansas City Southern. The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division (SMART-TD) Local 457’s General Committee of Adjustment is […]

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News Wire recommended reading: Inside the Ames Monument

Stone pyramid-like building under threatening skies

Our wide-ranging latest installment of News Wire Recommended Reading includes articles on a Wyoming landmark; a massive space under San Francisco built for currently nonexistent train service;, and how things went wrong for a deal to involve German’s Deutsche Bahn to remake Toronto’s GO Transit commuter rail operations. — You may be familiar with the […]

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