When railroad merger plans collide with reality: Analysis

Railroads proposing mergers inevitably make ambitious promises and projections, particularly about faster service and more competition. Not all of them become reality, despite the best intentions of railroaders who work at a feverish pace to develop the operating plans submitted to federal regulators. A case in point: CSX, as part of its 1999 acquisition of […]

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Farmer reiterates that BNSF has ‘no interest’ in merger

Two seated women facing each other in on-stage talk

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — BNSF Railway CEO Katie Farmer still doesn’t see further rail industry consolidation as inevitable if a Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger is approved. Just the fact that the topic keeps being discussed could be taken as an argument against the merger, Farmer said in a conversation with Trains prior to her appearance today […]

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CPKC, BNSF CEOs urge shippers to speak out on UP-NS merger

Woman gesturing in front of sign with large white letters

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — The CEOs of Canadian Pacific Kansas City and BNSF Railway took aim at the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger during the first day of the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers winter meeting — and urged the rail customers in attendance to voice any concerns they may have to federal regulators. CPKC CEO […]

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American Freedom Train No. 1 unveiled after cosmetic restoration

Black steam locomotive with U.S. flags in background. American Freedom Train No. 1 unveiled.

BALTIMORE — Following the completion of a year-long cosmetic restoration, American Freedom Train locomotive No. 1 was unveiled to the public in a special ceremony at the B&O Railroad Museum on Jan. 12. The engine pulled the American Freedom Train in the Northeast during its 1975-76 tour commemorating the Declaration of Independence and celebrating the nation’s […]

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Norfolk Southern launches its first New England double-stack service (with video)

AYER, Mass. — Norfolk Southern marked a milestone on Tuesday morning when its first New England double-stack train arrived in Ayer, Mass., behind its Conrail and Delaware & Hudson heritage units. With NS engineer Matt Bushart at the throttle and conductor Adam Feeley in the left-hand seat, Chicago-Ayer intermodal train 264 made its inaugural run […]

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Brightline hires former Eurostar executive to run Florida operation

Man in coat and open-collar shirt

MIAMI — Nicolas Petrovic has been named CEO of Brightline Holdings’ Florida operation, effective today (Wednesday, Jan. 14). Petrovic was CEO of Eurostar from 2010 through 2018 after a four-year stint when he was responsible for all aspects of train operations, safety, and service delivery on the high-speed European network linking London, Paris, Brussels, and […]

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Pacific Surfliner adds 13th LA-San Diego round trip

Passenger train departs station, as seen from bridge

ORANGE, Calif. — Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner will add a 13th daily Los Angeles-San Diego round trip on Jan. 26, restoring operation to pre-pandemic levels, the LOSSAN Corridor Agency announced today (Jan. 13, 2026). Added will be a 7:01 a.m. departure from San Diego, arriving at LA Union Station at 9:57 a.m., and a 7:10 p.m. […]

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Train service resumes on Coast Line

Passenger train running along beach

GAVIOTA, Calif. — Train service has resumed on Union Pacific’s Coast Line north of Santa Barbara following a week-long closure because of a washout. Southbound Pacific Surfliner No. 774 left San Luis Obispo as scheduled at 6:11 a.m. local time today (Jan. 13), the first of two daily Surfliner round trips between San Luis Obispo and […]

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Two arrested for ‘surfing’ atop San Diego commuter train

View from above of commuter train with Pacific Ocean in background.

SAN DIEGO — Two San Diego-area 18-year-olds have been arrested after allegedly “train surfing” on the top of a Coaster commuter train last week. KNSD-TV reports the San Diego Sheriff’s Office said on Monday, Jan. 12, that it had arrested Joseph Medina-Rivera of El Cajon and Brad Ellgen of Oceanside after numerous reports from the […]

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CSX completes upgrades to expand Ohio’s Willard Yard

WILLARD, Ohio — CSX Transportation has added merchandise capacity at its Willard, Ohio, rail yard after phased improvements helped convert the idled hump yard to a flat switching facility. Railroad officials say the former Baltimore & Ohio terminal can now handle 600 railcars per day, up from 300  two years ago. CSX shut down the […]

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