House panel debates rail safety technology initiatives

WASHINGTON — The partisan split over the implementation of technology in the railroad industry was on display during a House subcommittee hearing today. Republicans favored unleashing innovation and modernizing outdated Federal Railroad Administration regulations that they say stand in the way of progress. Democrats on the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous […]

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FRA urges railroads to step up conductor training and testing

Local switches factory while locomotive moves commuter railcars on overpass

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration has released a safety bulletin related to a June 9 close-clearance switching accident that killed a Union Pacific conductor in Nacogdoches, Texas. “Based on FRA’s preliminary investigation, the locomotive engineer was shoving two locomotives and five covered hopper cars into a siding. The conductor was riding the consist and […]

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NJ Transit holds groundbreaking for new Raritan River lift bridge

Illustration of rail bridge with center lift span and approaching ship

PERTH AMBOY, N.J. — NJ Transit marked groundbreaking for the next phase of the new Raritan River Bridge — construction of a new center span — with ceremonies today featuring Gov. Phil Murphy and other officials. The new lift bridge to accommodate marine traffic will replace the current 117-year-old swing bridge on the structure connecting […]

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Stadler opens signal division office in Atlanta

Interior of office with prominent "Stadler" sign

ATLANTA — Rail equipment firm Stadler has opened a new office for its Signalling Division in Atlanta, the first major international expansion of that division. The location in part reflects Stadler’s $500 million contract for a signal project with the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority [see “Stadler lands contract …,” Trains News Wire, Dec. 6, […]

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UP Lincoln locomotive coming to Springfield, Ill.

Red, maroon, and gray locomotive passing grain elevator

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Union Pacific will bring its Abraham Lincoln locomotive to Springfield, the hometown of the 16th president, on July 1, to commemorate the railroad’s 163rd birthday. The railroad was founded on July 1, 1862, when Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act authorizing construction of the first transcontinental railroad. To mark the occasion, UP, […]

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New York MTA to order more than 300 commuter railcars

Rendering of meet between trains with new Alstom railcars

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will purchase 316 new electric multiple-unit railcars for use on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad after the MTA’s Finance Committee approved the purchase today. The new M9-A cars will be built by Alstom Transportation. Pilot cars in the order are slated to be delivered in […]

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CPKC says service is on the mend in former KCS territory

red, yellow and other colors on a locomotive

WASHINGTON – Canadian Pacific Kansas City expects service to return to normal by late July in former Kansas City Southern territory that has experienced congestion, delays, and missed customer switches since a May 3 computer cutover. “CPKC’s level of service performance on the legacy-KCS network since May 3, 2025 — as reflected in part in […]

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House subcommittee to hold hearing on rail technology

Trains Washington Watch logo

WASHINGTON — Less than a week after a U.S. Senate subcommittee hearing on the rail industry, a House subcommittee will hold its own session on Tuesday, June 24. The Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials hearing, “America Builds: The Role of Innovation and Technology in a Safe and Efficient Rail System,” […]

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Metra, CTA, Pace offer new Regional Day Pass

Commuter train at station

CHICAGO — The Chicago area’s three transit operators have unveiled a new Regional Day Pass, good for unlimited rides in a single day on Metra, the Chicago Transit Authority, and Pace buses. The new pass is available only on the newest version of the Ventra smartphone app, beginning today (June 20, 2025). The pass is […]

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