CLEVELAND — A Cleveland man arrested in 2023 for allegedly attempting to derail trains has been sentenced to two years in federal prison and three years of probation. Joseph Findley, 43, had previously pleaded guilty to four counts of violence against railroad carriers. He was arrested in October 2023 after allegedly wedging spikes into switches […]
Train Topic: Railroad Operations
Amtrak announces more storm cancellations, West Coast disruptions for track work (additional update)
WASHINGTON — Amtrak has announced a new set of weather-related train cancellations, this time in connection with a storm expected to hit Texas and the South beginning tonight (Wednesday, Jan. 8). A relatively small number of trains today through Friday, Jan. 10, are affected. On the Pacific Coast, Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner cancellations are […]
San Diego suburb seeks to delay Surf Line bridge project
DEL MAR, Calif. — The city council in the coastal suburb of Del Mar has voted to ask San Diego’s regional planning agency to postpone construction of a new railroad bridge on the Surf Line route to Orange County, saying the bridge project might not be necessary depending on the route of a proposed tunnel […]
Twelve rail-related projects in California among those to receive federal grants
WASHINGTON — A dozen rail-related projects in California are among those to receive funding through three U.S. Department of Transportation grant programs, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla has announced. In all, 25 projects will receive more than $258 million in federal funds through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE); Reconnecting Communities pilot, and […]
CSX coal train derails in Virginia (updated)
BREMO BLUFF, Va. — No injuries have been reported after a derailment involving a CSX coal train early today (Jan. 7, 2025), the Fluvanna County Sheriff’s Office reported. The sheriff’s office said in a press release that “multiple cars” have overturned in the incident reported at approximately 4:53 a.m. Also responding were the Fluvanna Volunteer […]
Amtrak adds to Tuesday storm cancellations
WASHINGTON — Amtrak has expanded its list of train cancellations for Tuesday, Jan. 7, as a result of the winter storm currently moving across the nation’s midsection. In a service advisory today (Jan. 6, 2025) at 5 p.m. ET, Amtrak announced these Tuesday schedule changes: — Acela Nos. 2103, 2107, 2121 (Boston-Washington) and 2108, 2122, […]
Amtrak Gulf Coast service to receive $21 million grant (updated)
WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration will award a $21.1 million grant for the return of Amtrak Gulf Coast service, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) announced today (Jan. 6, 2025). The funding will support operating costs for the planned twice-daily round trips between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala. Funds will come from the FRA’s Restoration […]
MARC, VRE to operate reduced schedules on Tuesday (updated)
WASHINGTON — Maryland’s MARC Train and Virginia Railway Express will operate on reduced schedules on Tuesday, Jan. 7, as the Washington, D.C., area continues to feel the impact of a significant winter storm. Both operators suspended all service today (Monday, Jan. 6) based on the weather and the decision of the federal government to close […]
Railroads open 2025 dealing with heavy snow, ice from Great Plains to Northeast (update)
CHICAGO — Railroads are navigating the start of the New Year with a far-reaching winter weather system that resulted in measurable snowfalls from central Kansas to Maryland’s eastern seaboard. Kansas City received more than 12 inches of snow over the weekend and 6 to 12 inches of snow fell across much of central Illinois, Indiana, […]
Equipment issues lead to three Amtrak cancellations on Chicago-Milwaukee route
CHICAGO — Citing equipment issues, Amtrak has cancelled one Hiawatha today (Jan. 6), after two other cancellations along the same route Sunday. The cancellations of today’s Milwaukee-Chicago train No. 336, a scheduled 1:05 p.m. departure, as well as Sunday’s St. Paul-Chicago Borealis and Chicago-Milwaukee Hiawatha No. 341, are are all attributed to equipment and separate […]
RailState data shows prevalence of long trains on BNSF, UP in Southwest
QUINCY, Mass. – RailState, which monitors rail traffic using a network of sensors placed on public property along main lines, has provided a snapshot of long trains rolling along BNSF Railway and Union Pacific main lines in the Southwest during December. Although only 1% of freight trains in the U.S. exceed 14,000 feet, RailState data […]
DC-area commuter lines halted by storm
WASHINGTON — Both commuter rail operators serving the Washington, D.C., area have suspended operations today (Monday, Jan. 6, 2025) as a winter storm hits the area. Virginia Railway Express announced its decision not to operate about 7:45 p.m. on Sunday night, citing both the weather and the decision to close federal offices in Washington today. […]
