Startup company targets blocked crossings with sensor network

Tank car blocking street behind lowered crossing gate

Oculus Rail, a startup company based in Norfolk, Va., wants to cure a railroad headache: Frequently blocked grade crossings that frustrate motorists and communities alike. The company aims to build a grade-crossing sensor network that can help reroute traffic and emergency vehicles around blocked crossings. Oculus Rail — which launched a smartphone app last week […]

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Rail-making Steelton, Pa., plant to be closed permanently

Logo of steelmaker Clieveland-Cliffs

STEELTON, Pa. — The Cleveland-Cliffs Steelton plant, which had been one of just three U.S. locations producing railroad rails, will be closed permanently as of Jan. 13, 2026. The plant just southeast of Harrisburg, Pa., had been closed in June in a move the company described as temporary but indefinite [see “Rail-making Steelton, Pa., steel […]

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UP train derails near Houston

Damaged track and derailment debris

WALLER, Texas — No injuries were reported as 23 cars of a Union Pacific train derailed Monday afternoon in Waller County between the towns of Waller and Prairie View, the Waller County Sheriff’s Office reported on Monday (Oct. 20, 2025). The Sheriff’s Office reported the derailment about 6:30 p.m. CT, and said that 17 cars […]

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Adirondack passenger cars obtained for Maine’s Rockland branch excursions

ROCKLAND, Maine—Two former Adirondack Railroad coaches equipped with heating and air conditioning have arrived at Cumberland & Knox Railroad’s Rockland facility for excursion operations on the state-owned Rockland branch. Finn Kelly, the line’s government affairs manager, tells Trains.com., “We’re still evaluating different options for excursions” on the 56-mile former Maine Central branch from Brunswick, Maine, […]

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Montreal’s REM sets Nov. 17 for opening of next section

Map of Montreal light rail system

MONTREAL — The second portion of Montreal’s Réseau express métropolitain light rail system will open on Monday, Nov. 17, builder CDPQ Infra announced today (O t. 20, 2025). The Deux-Montagnes branch, replacing an EXO commuter line that ended operations on Dec. 31, 2020, will add 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) 14 stations to the six stations […]

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Amtrak, Metro-North to provide more New York-Albany service

Two trains on opposite sides of station platform

ALBANY, N.Y. — Amtrak will restore one currently suspended Empire Service round trip between New York City and Albany as of Dec. 1, and Metro-North Railroad will begin offering service between New York City and Albany in the spring of 2026, according to a joint announcement today (Oct. 20, 2025). New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, […]

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CN announces changes to senior management

Canadian National logo

MONTREAL — Canadian National today announced changes to its senior leadership, naming Patrick Whitehead as its chief operating officer and Janet Drysdale as chief commercial officer. Whitehead’s appointment as COO ends CN’s unique approach to developing the operating plan, planning the network of the future, and managing day-to-day operations. Traditionally railroads have a lone chief […]

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Cars separate on New York subway train; no injuries reported

Logo of Metropolitan Transportation Authority

NEW YORK — No injuries were reported, but several hours of service disruptions resulted Sunday evening following the separation of cars on a New York subway train. WABC-TV reports the third and fourth cars of a 4 train detached near the 149th Street-Grand Concourse station in the Bronx, leading to a partial shutdown of the […]

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NTSB to investigate BNSF conductor fatality (updated)

National Transportation Safety Board logo

COLUMBUS, Mont. — The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the death of a BNSF conductor struck by a train on Sunday (Oct. 19, 2025), the agency has announced. The fatality occurred about 9:40 a.m. in Columbus, KTVQ-TV reports. BNSF and Columbus police, as well as the Stillwater County Sheriff’s Office, were also investigating the […]

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