VIA breaks ground on new Toronto maintenance facility

Rendering of interior of shop building

TORONTO — VIA Rail Canada has broken ground on a new maintenance facility for its fleet of Quebec City-Windsor corridor trains. Groundbreaking for new facilities at VIA’s Toronto Maintenance Centre was held Monday. The project involves demolition of part of an existing structure; construction of a new state-of-the-art facility; infrastructure improvements throughout the maintenance yard; […]

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STB announces investigation on Sunset Limited timekeeping, sets procedure

Passenger cars at station with baggage being unloaded onto trailer and passengers walking on platform. Image of the Sunset Limited.

WASHINGTON — Responding to an Amtrak request from late last year, the Surface Transportation Board announced today (July 11) it will open an investigation into Sunset Limited timekeeping issues. Today’s board decision also outlines the framework for the process — a detailed procedure that will continue well into 2024. Establishment of that framework is necessary […]

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Minor Amtrak derailment disrupts service south from Washington

WASHINGTON — Amtrak service between Washington Union Station and Alexandria, Va., has been suspended following the low-speed derailment this morning in a tunnel to the station, the Washington Post reports. The derailment of the locomotive and a coach of Northeast Regional train No. 86 from Norfolk, Va., occurred at 8:47 a.m. One Amtrak employee was […]

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NKP SD9 returned to as-built appearance by Progress Rail

MUNCIE, Ind. — Nickle Plate Road SD9 No. 358 is nearing the end of a lengthy process of restoration to operation by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, with Progress Rail returning the locomotive to its appearance as built in 1957. The locomotive, donated by Norfolk Southern to the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society in […]

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Rochester, N.Y., museum will be new home of NYC shop switcher

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A 0-4-0T locomotive that served as a shop switcher for a New York Central subsidiary will be preserved by the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum. Despatch Shops No. 5, built in 1924 by the Vulcan Works in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., was purchased by Merchants Despatch Transportation Corp. for use at its freight […]

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Alberta to fund study of rail link to Calgary airport

Light rail train at station next to roadway

CALGARY, Alberta — The Province of Alberta will provide C$3 million in funding for a study of a rail link between Calgary’s downtown and airport, the Calgary Herald reports. The study will consider alternatives including a long-discussed extension of Calgary Transit’s light rail Blue Line and the proposed service that would link the airport, downtown, […]

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Record number of short lines earn Jake Safety Awards

American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association logo

WASHINGTON — The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association has recognized a record number of its member railroads for a 2022 Jake Safety Award, as well as for the award “with distinction” for zero reportable injuries. The ALSRRA announced Monday that 383 railroads had qualified for the Jake Award and 350 for the award […]

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UP coal train derails in Wyoming

Union Pacific logo without slogan. UP Bailey Yard explosion appear to be accidental.

BILL, Wyo. — Twenty-one cars of a Union Pacific coal train derailed today (July 10), blocking UP’s route to ship coal out of the Powder River Basin. Cowboy State Daily reports the derailment occurred about 6:30 a.m. approximately 4 miles southeast of Lusk, Wyo., which is 130 miles north of Cheyenne. No injuries were reported. […]

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