WASHINGTON — Reversing the trend for most of 2021, the latest statistics from the Association of American Railroads show U.S. rail traffic declined for the week ending Aug. 21 when compared to the comparable week in 2020. Traffic totaled 501,273 carloads and intermodal units, a 2.6% decrease from the 2020 figure. It also represented a […]
SEATTLE— BNSF Railway is not subject to local zoning laws in its plan to add a second track along part of its main line through Washington’s Columbia Gorge, a U.S. appeals court has ruled. The decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court judgment that federal law — specifically, the Interstate […]
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority could launch a partial resumption of light rail service by Sunday, allowing service for fans attending a San Francisco 49ers game at the team’s stadium in Santa Clara. KPIX-TV reports test runs on the light rail system began Tuesday. The VTA’s director of rail operations, […]
GIRARDVILLE, Pa. — Passengers got a rare look at the normally freight-only Mahanoy & Shamokin Branch of the Reading & Northern Railroad Monday, Aug. 23, as well as a short course in 19th century Reading Railroad/mining labor history. One hundred twenty riders climbed aboard two Budd Co. Rail Diesel Cars at R&N’s Outer Station in […]
MONCTON, New Brunswick — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada announced Monday it was sending investigators to the site of a Saturday derailment of a Canadian National train northwest of Moncton. The CBC reported 30 cars derailed, 20 of which ended up on their side. A CN spokesman said no hazardous materials were involved but […]
NEW YORK — Service has rapidly been restored in the Northeast after a series of rail transit and Amtrak cancellations Sunday because of the arrival of Tropical Storm Henri. New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority is operating full service today on both its commuter rail lines after suspending operations on parts of both railroads. The Long […]
MEDFORD, Mass. — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has returned one of its new rapid-transit trainsets to service after sidelining the equipment as a result of a derailment in March. WCVB-TV reports the Orange Line train built by an affiliate China’s CRRC at a Springfield, Mass., facility was returned to service on Friday after the […]
BERLIN — German passenger rail service is in the midst of a second two-day strike this month, part of a larger action by the GDL union, which represents the nation’s train drivers in a dispute with national rail operator Deutsche Bahn. Freight-train drivers went on strike at 5 p.m. local time Friday, with passenger drivers […]
WASHINGTON – The Surface Transportation Board on Thursday announced that it has selected a senior staff member, Neil Moyer, to coordinate the board’s efforts in preparing to meet new intercity passenger rail on-time performance responsibilities. Moyer will work closely with board members and staff to develop a plan for on-time performance investigations. Among the tasks: Forming […]
NEWTON, Iowa — If there wasn’t enough going on in August 2021 for the steam locomotive enthusiast, here’s one more special event to keep an eye on, or maybe even attend: An Iowa-based Chinese-built QJ 2-10-2 is starting its public tour. On Friday, Central States Steam Preservation No. 6988 made a deadhead freight move from […]
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced a $10.1 million project to improve rail operations in Mitchell, Ill., northeast of St. Louis. The project will reconfigure rail lines and replace a 97-year-old interlocking tower, with funding from six sources: $5.1 million from the Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvments […]
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific will boost the biodiesel fuel blend in its EMD locomotives as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Progress Rail has approved the use of 20% biodiesel blend in the railroad’s EMD locomotives with 710 and 645 engines, up from 5%. Progress subsequently announced it had given similar approval for […]
