Flooding knocks out key CSX routes in the Cumberland, Md., area

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Severe flooding that hit the Cumberland, Md., area on Tuesday has shut down key CSX routes, the railroad said in a customer service alert today. Among the routes affected: The former Baltimore & Ohio main line linking Baltimore and Pittsburgh, which has taken on increased importance as a detour route for traffic […]

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Bill seeks to tighten prohibition on federal funding for transit equipment from China

Subway train at station

WASHINGTON — Legislation announced in Congress this week would bar federal funding for Chinese-built railcars and buses, tightening an existing prohibition. Six senators — three Republicans and three Democrats — announced the “Safebuarding Transit Operations to Prohibit China, or STOP China, Act. It would prohibit the use of Department of Transportation funding for the purchase […]

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Coalition of states sues over federal threat to withhold transportation funds over immigration actions

Train operating in the median of Interstate 90

WASHINGTON — A coalition of 20 state attorneys general has filed two federal lawsuits over a threat to withhold transportation and disaster relief funds unless the states agree to comply with the Trump administration’s immigration policies. One lawsuit names Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, while the other targets the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department […]

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Switzerland’s one-of-a-kind snowplow (with video)

Front of rotary snowplow with yellow blades and red housing

Editors note: For more on the Rhätishe Bahn and its heritage fleet, including Switzerland’s one-of-a-kind snowplow, see the July 2025 issue of Trains Magazine. PONTRESINA, Switzerland — Markus Zaugg, head of rolling stock for the Rhätische Bahn, is leading an informal tour of the railroad’s shop building in the mountain village of Pontresina. The town […]

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STB names three advisors to drive regulatory reform, efficiencies

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The Surface Transportation Board has appointed three senior advisors to Chairman Patrick Fuchs. Sharon Clark, Rob Reilly and Chris Bertram will serve in the temporary positions in an effort to help drive reforms, and underscore Fuchs’ commitment to leveraging expert advice, analysis, and ideas on mission-critical initiatives and agency functions, according to a press release.  […]

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Some Class I railroads take a fresh look at mergers

It’s been two years since CPKC CEO Keith Creel drove the ceremonial final spike at Knoche Yard in Kansas City to celebrate the merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern. The symbolic event marked what rail executives, regulators, and analysts all expected would be the last merger involving two Class I railroads. But now […]

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Sound Transit opens light-rail extension

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Seattle’s Sound Transit recently opened a 3.4-mile extension of the 2 Line to downtown Redmond, Wash. The extension includes two new stations, at Marymoor and downtown Redmond, as well as 1,400 new parking spaces at Marymoor Village.  Voters approved funding for the extension in 2016 as part of the Sound Transit 3 ballot measure. The […]

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