Kansas requirement for two-person crews takes effect

TOPEKA, Kan. — The state of Kansas on Wednesday enacted rules requiring two-person crew for freight trains, but the new administrative action could be challenged in court. Gov. Laura Kelly said in a press release that the new requirement “will protect workers from the effects of fatigue, prevent train derailments, and reduce risks in the […]

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Stadler hydrogen trainset makes debut in Florida

Front view of blue and white passenger train equipment

ORLANDO, Fla. — Stadler’s FLIRT H2 trainset, the hydrogen-powered commuter-rail equipment set to debut next year in Southern California, has made its first U.S. debut this week at the APTA Expo in Orlando, the American Public Transportation Association’s annual conference. The train will eventually join three Stadler FLIRT diesel multiple-unit trainsets on the San Bernardino […]

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Florida officials approve development district to support ‘Sunshine Corridor’ rail project

Locomotive with two bilevel passenger cars rounding curve

ORLANDO, Fla. — Officials in Orange County, Fla., have approved creation of a new special taxation district to help fund development of the “Sunshine Corridor” rail connection to allow Brightline and commuter rail service SunRail reach the Orange County Convention Center and nearby attractions. WKMG-TV reports county commissioners unanimously approved creation of the Shingle Creek […]

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Weekly U.S. rail traffic again shows increase

Weekly table showing U.S. carload traffic by commodity type, plus overall intermodal traffic

WASHINGTON — Weekly U.S. rail traffic continued its recent upward trend, with traffic for the week ending Oct. 7 showing a 3% increase over the same week in 2022, according to statistics from the Association of American Railroads. It was the fourth straight week traffic has been ahead of weekly figures of a year ago. […]

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Norfolk Southern lifts day-of-week restrictions on Midwest-West Coast international intermodal service

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern this week ended restrictions on international intermodal service linking five of its Midwestern terminals with West Coast ports. “We are instituting this customer-centric, operations-driven solution for shipments originating at Appliance Park [Louisville, Ky.], Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, and Detroit, and we look forward to the positive impact these adjustments will have on […]

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Canadian government to help fund new Port of Montreal container terminal

Aerial-view illustration of container terminal at port

CONTRECOEUR, Quebec — The Canadian government will spend up to C$150 million toward construction ofa new rail-served container terminal at the Port of Montreal, Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez announced on Tuesday. The project will include a 675-meter-long dock; a rail connection to existing Canadian National tracks, including a rail transfer point and freight transfer hub; […]

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Plasser American opens new manufacturing facility

Eight people posed for ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of factory door.

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin was among the dignitaries taking part in the recent ribbon-cutting ceremonies marking completion of Plasser American’s new 82,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. Also on hand for opening of the facility, allowing Plasser to more efficiently manufacture its maintenance and other railway machinery at the site that has been its home […]

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Eight projects seek federal funding for South Dakota rail infrastructure improvements

Overgrown rail line with tank car visible in distance

PIERRE, S.D. — Eight railroads and government agencies have made their pitches to the South Dakota Railroad Board for more than $58 million available in infrastructure project funding from the Federal Railroad Administration. KELO-TV reports that the board is administering $58.9 million in Special Transportation Circumstances grants, part of $139 million in funding announced earlier […]

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Connecticut approves $1.1 billion in transportation bond funding

Amtrak high speed train meets Metro-North electric multiple-unit trainset

HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut has approved more than $1.1 billion in state bond funding for transportation projects, Gov. Ned Lamont has announced. Funds will help meet matching requirements for federal money available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which could help the state land more than $2.5 billion in federal funding. “The $1.1 billion in state […]

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