Signal and communications workers ratify deal with CN in Canada

Canadian National logo

MONTREAL — The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers has ratified a new four-year contract with Canadian National Railway, CN has announced. The union represents approximately 750 signals and communications workers in Canada. The deal includes annual 3% wage increases. “The ratification of this agreement by our employees with the IBEW union represents a mutually beneficial […]

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British rail reorganization plans moving forward

Dark blue and gray EMU trainset with yellow nose parked in railyard.

Despite a few public setbacks, including the short-notice replacement of the previous Transport Secretary, the British government’s plans to restructure the passenger rail industry are moving ahead. Plans are to create a new national rail holding company, bringing together the railway network infrastructure and the operation of most passenger trains for the first time since […]

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New non-profit paves way for railroading and preservation’s future

Young individual tends to a fire inside the cab of a steam locomotive.

Railroad-related non-profit organizations are typically dedicated to preservation and educating others about the past. One such non-profit, however, is focused on the future of railroading and rail preservation: Next Generation Railroaders (NGR). Bridging the Gap, Passing the Torch The future of both industries depends on the next generation, but transferring knowledge and passion isn’t always […]

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UP announces locomotive honoring Abraham Lincoln

Side-view illustration of red, maroon, and gray locomotive.

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific has marked Presidents Day by announcing plans for a locomotive to honor the nation’s 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, who signed the legislation authorizing construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, leading to UP’s creation. The paint scheme of locomotive No. 1616 will feature “the unique colors of Lincoln’s era,” UP said in […]

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GE’s ES44C4 and ET44C4 locomotives

Four locomotives lead a doublestack train around a curve on a doule-track rail line

The roots of GE’s ES44C4 and ET44C4 locomotives reach back to the transition period in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when North American railroads were slowly converting from DC traction to AC traction six-axle road units and  locomotive builders sought ways to completely eliminate six-axle DC locomotives from their order books. The answer came […]

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News Wire recommended reading: Inside the B&P Tunnel

Brickwork inside railroad tunnel

The latest in the occasional series of articles recommended by Trains News Wire opens with a recent story from the Baltimore Banner looking at the B&P Tunnel, Amtrak’s efforts to maintain the 152-year-old bore, the plans to replace it, and the threats to the tunnel project. Also recommended: A Governing magazine opinion piece looks at […]

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Maintenance-of-way union ratifies contract with CPKC

Logo of Teamsters Canada-Maintenance of Way Division

CALGARY, Alberta — The union representing CPKC engineering service workers in Canada has ratified a new four-year contract, the railroad has announced. The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Maintenance of Way Employees Division (TRCR-MWED) represents about 2,300 workers. CPKC CEO Keith Creel said the ratification, announced Friday, Feb. 14, provides improved wages and benefits, but details […]

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Amtrak independence at stake, status of approved FRA infrastructure grants uncertain: Analysis

Train of two locomotives and one passenger car stopped on siding

WASHINGTON — Historically, passenger rail funding has had legislative champions from each party in the House and Senate that successfully counteracted executive branch funding cuts. When President Donald Trump called for deep reductions aimed at Amtrak’s long-distance network during his first term, those budget proposals were eventually rebuffed in bipartisan transportation spending deals. But this […]

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