STOCKTON, Calif. — The Altamont Corridor Express locomotive fleet is now running solely on renewable diesel fuel, the commuter service’s parent agency, the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission, has announced. The agency says the switch will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 99% and is a key step toward its goal of net-zero-emission operations. “Our commitment […]
MACOUN, Saskatchewan — A derailment and fire involving a Canadian Pacific train near the town of Macoun has closed a highway and led to the evacuation of a small number of homes, the Regina Leader-Post reports. At least four homes were evacuated and Provincial Route 39 was closed because of the fire involving an unknown […]
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate has passed legislation this afternoon (Thursday, Dec. 1) imposing a settlement in the labor dispute between railroads and unions, foreclosing the possibility of a national rail strike as soon as Dec. 9. President Joe Biden said he will sign the bill into law “as soon as Congress sends it to […]
BREDA, Netherlands — Alstom says it has demonstrated fully autonomous operation for a switching locomotive in the Netherlands — with starting, movement, stopping, and handling of unexpected obstacles without involvement of on-train staff. The company says this week’s announcement concludes a series of tests that are part of a partnership with Dutch infrastructure manager ProRail and […]
OTTAWA, Ontario — City officials and the companies that built Ottawa’s problem-plagued light-rail Confederation line were guilty of “egregious violations of public trust” that included instances of “deliberate malfeasance,” according to the 664-page report from a public inquiry into the light rail project released Wednesday. The CBC reports that the document from Justice William Hourigan, […]
MONTREAL — Information technology and business consulting firm CGI will manage a new online reservation system for VIA Rail Canada to be launched in 2023, the companies announced Wednesday. Under a long-term agreement, CGI will manage critical business applications, building on the business relationship that began in 2020 when CGI was selected to build VIA’s […]
MANALAPAN, Fla. – Union Pacific, which has come under fire for its increased use of embargoes, has not fully shut down service to any customers as it grapples with congestion related to ongoing train crew shortages. “It really is a tool of last resort for us. As a common carrier, we don’t have other mechanisms […]
WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives has approved legislation imposing the tentative agreement between railroads and unions, which would block a rail strike that could begin as early as Dec. 9. CNN reports the House passed the measure by a 290-137 vote, with 79 Republicans joining Democrats in voting for the bill, while eight Democrats […]
WINTER PARK, Colo. — Tickets are on sale for the return of Amtrak’s Winter Park Express, the seasonal ski-train service between Denver Union Station and the Winter Park Resort that launches on Jan. 13, 2023. Service will be offered Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays beginning the weekend of Jan. 13-15 and continuing through the weekend of […]
SOUTHAM, England — Vivarail, the British passenger train re-manufacturing company majority-owned by Pittsburgh-based Railroad Development Corp., has announced it is seeking the appointment of insolvency administrators via the British courts while efforts are made to find new investors or owners for the company. The process, similar to Chapter 11 protection in the USA, will allow […]
WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives will vote today (Wednesday, Nov. 30) on legislation to impose a settlement in the labor dispute between railroads and unions, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday. The House will also consider a separate motion to add seven paid sick days to the tentative agreement reached in September between the […]
ABILENE, Kan. — The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad will collaborate with a management subsidiary of American Heritage Railways to expand its operations, strengthen ridership, and advance the non-profit’s mission of education and historic preservation. The collaboration will be in the form of a multi-year agreement with Heritage Rail Management, which provides consulting, management, and […]
