OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific has announced an agreement with the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers to ensure job security for members of the union if UP’s proposed merger with Norfolk Southern is approved. The agreement announced today (Nov. 10, 2025) commits that hundreds of NCFO members employed at the time of the merger […]
Train Topic: Rail Industry
News photos: Metro-North introduces locomotive honoring veterans (updated)
NORTH WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Metro-North Railroad has introduced the eighth in its series of heritage locomotives, wrapping P32AC-DM No. 216 to honor U.S. veterans. The locomotive will be on display at Grand Central Terminal on Tuesday, Nov. 11 — Veterans Day — and Wednesday, Nov. 12. It will enter service […]
SEPTA Regional Rail cancellations increase as Silverliner inspections continue
PHILADELPHIA — The ongoing inspection process for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s fleet of Silverliner IV electrical multiple-unit cars has led to a significant increase in train cancellations as of today (Nov. 10, 2025). A SEPTA message posted on Sunday says Regional Rail service is “running with extremely limited vehicle availability” because of the inspections, […]
Mexico begins work on passenger line to Nuevo Laredo
MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday (Nov. 7) announced the start of the country’s latest major rail project, the Gulf of Mexico Train, a planned passenger route linking Nuevo Laredo at the U.S. border to the cities of Saltillo and Monterrey. Groundbreaking was held Friday in Nuevo Laredo for the first phase […]
Caltrain warns of significant cuts without new funding
SAN CARLOS, Calif. — Caltrain has become the latest commuter operator to outline dire operational impacts without new funding — in this case, a regional funding measure to be on the ballot a year from now, in November 2026. As outlined at the November meeting of the Caltrain board, potential impacts without funding from the […]
Amtrak has seats, rooms at high prices as air cancellations mount
WASHINGTON — Taking the train as an alternative to a cancelled flight is only rarely mentioned in news reports on the flight reductions ordered by the Federal Aviation Administration starting today (Nov. 7, 2025). The lack of Amtrak awareness is not surprising, given the spindly nature of its national network compared to air travel and […]
Security and Emergency Response Training Center announces 2026 courses for first responders
PUEBLO, Colo. — MxV Rail’s Security and Emergency Response Training Center has announced its lineup of 2026 specialist-level and advanced courses to train first responders in dealing with surface transportation hazards. SERTC offers resident courses of 40 to 80 hours at its Pueblo training center, featuring full-scale props and live drills; remote courses of four […]
Bill Stephens named editor of Trains Magazine
BROOKFIELD, Wis. — Firecrown Media has named veteran railroad journalist Bill Stephens as the new editor of Trains Magazine. Stephens, a longtime Trains contributor and columnist, brings more than three decades of experience covering North American freight and passenger railroads, industry trends, and regulatory developments. His byline has been a fixture on Trains News Wire, […]
Bill Stephens named editor of Trains Magazine
BROOKFIELD, Wis. — Firecrown Media has named veteran railroad journalist Bill Stephens as the new editor of Trains Magazine. Stephens, a longtime Trains contributor and columnist, brings more than three decades of experience covering North American freight and passenger railroads, industry trends, and regulatory developments. His byline has been a fixture on Trains News Wire, […]
Wabtec to expand facilities in Brazil
CONTAGEM, Brazil — Wabtec will spend R$20 million ($3.7 million U.S.) to expand operations in Brazil, mostly at its plant in Contagem, Minas Gerais, the company announced this week. At Contagem, the company will build a new Global Engineering Center, its first in Latin America, and has developed a new locomotive production line. The 9,000-square-meter […]
OmniTRAX taps Brown for new chief strategy officer role
DENVER – Shortline holding company OmniTRAX has named Nathan Brown its chief strategy officer. In this new role reporting directly to the CEO, Brown will lead development and execution of the enterprise-wide OmniTRAX corporate strategy and strategic planning process. “OmniTRAX has experienced an unparalleled growth rate of 50% in the past five years, and network […]
STB nominees vow independence on UP-NS merger review despite D.C. partisanship
WASHINGTON — Surface Transportation Board nominees Richard Kloster and Michelle Schultz assured senators on Thursday that they will judge Union Pacific’s proposed acquisition of Norfolk Southern on the merits — and will not allow politics to influence their decisions on the largest merger in railroad history. Kloster and Schultz spoke during a hearing of the […]
