CN derailment adds to VIA Rail corridor operating woes

VIA Rail Canada logo

MONTREAL — VIA Rail Canada service between Toronto and Montreal, already struggling to cope with a massive snowstorm, was further disrupted today (Feb. 18, 2025) by a Canadian National derailment near Montreal. The 12-car derailment occurred at CN’s Taschereau Yard near Lachine and adjacent to Montreal’s Trudeau International Airport. CN said no leaks or injuries […]

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UP train derails on Tehachapi Pass

Derailed freight cars on curve

CALIENTE, Calif. — About 15 cars of a Union Pacific train derailed on Tehachapi Pass today (Tuesday, Feb. 18), blocking traffic on the busy route shared by UP and BNSF Railway. KBAK-TV reports the Kern County Fire Department was called to the derailment about 9:29 a.m. on Caliente-Bodfish Road, 2 miles north of State Route […]

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NJ Transit sets plans for Raritan Valley Line operations during derailment cleanup

Derailed double-stack cars

NEWARK, N.J. — Beginning Wednesday, Feb. 19, NJ Transit will begin a combination of limited train service and bus substitution to replace operations on its Raritan Valley Line, the transit agency has announced. Service was blocked earlier today (Feb. 18) because of the derailment of a Norfolk Southern intermodal train on a section of Conrail […]

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Weld failure led to broken rail that caused fatal Colorado derailment

Aerial view of train derailment at interstate highway

WASHINGTON — A rail that broke because of the failure of a weld led to the Oct. 15, 2023, derailment of a BNSF coal train at a bridge over Interstate 25 near Pueblo, Colo., leading to the death of a truck driver, according to a National Transportation Safety Board report. The investigation report was released […]

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Flood recovery efforts continue for NS, CSX

Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation are continuing to deal with the impacts of severe flooding in the southeastern U.S. that occurred earlier this week An NS customer alert posted today (Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025) says the railroad is working to restore both tracks of its mainline west of Williamson, W.Va., on the which are out […]

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FRA study recommends developing and testing prototype dual-mode freight locomotives

WASHINGTON — A Federal Railroad Administration study on mainline electrification recommends that the railroad industry develop a prototype dual-mode freight locomotive and battery tender that could test the feasibility of leaving cost-saving gaps between sections of overhead catenary. Over the decades, North American freight railroads have studied electrification but have always reached the same conclusion: […]

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CSX CEO makes progress mending fences with employees: Analysis

CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs is not one to shy away from a tall task. Since arriving at CSX in September 2022, he has been on a mission to repair the railroad’s damaged relationship with its employees. His goal: Build a culture of respect and trust, where workers feel valued and appreciated. It’s the cornerstone of […]

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Freight derailment disrupts NJ Transit service (updated)

NJ Transit logo

UNION, N.J. — Commuter rail service on NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Line has been suspended because of the derailment of a freight train, according to an alert on the agency’s website. While media reports identify the incident as a Conrail derailment, the train involved is actually a Norfolk Southern intermodal train operating on Conrail Shared […]

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Signal and communications workers ratify deal with CN in Canada

Canadian National logo

MONTREAL — The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers has ratified a new four-year contract with Canadian National Railway, CN has announced. The union represents approximately 750 signals and communications workers in Canada. The deal includes annual 3% wage increases. “The ratification of this agreement by our employees with the IBEW union represents a mutually beneficial […]

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Floods halt Amtrak’s City of New Orleans (updated)

Passenger train on curve

CHICAGO — Flooding is disrupting operation of Amtrak’s City of New Orleans, while Empire Builder departures have been cancelled for a fourth straight day. Other Amtrak cancellations announced for today (Feb. 18) include both directions of the Borealis between St. Paul and Milwaukee and a Lincoln Service trip from St. Louis to Chicago, according to […]

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British rail reorganization plans moving forward

Dark blue and gray EMU trainset with yellow nose parked in railyard.

Despite a few public setbacks, including the short-notice replacement of the previous Transport Secretary, the British government’s plans to restructure the passenger rail industry are moving ahead. Plans are to create a new national rail holding company, bringing together the railway network infrastructure and the operation of most passenger trains for the first time since […]

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Liquid bulk facility served by New Orleans Public Belt expands

Blue and black EMD locomotive

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad and Gulf Gateway Terminal LLC have announced expanded storage capacity for liquid bulk traffic at Gulf Gateway’s facility at the Port of New Orleans. The terminal is a liquid storage and distribution on 40 acres at the port with access to all six Class I railroads […]

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