Weekly U.S. rail traffic sees big drop

Weekly table showing U.S. carload rail traffic by commodity type, plus intermodal totals

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic is heading toward the end of the year on a down note, with weekly volume down 5.5% from the same week in 2021, according to the latest statistics from the Association of American Railroads. U.S. railroads moved 476,232 carloads and intermodal units for the week ending Dec. 17. That includes […]

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March 2026

The cover of Trains magazine for March of 2026, which features a yellow locomotive advancing towards the camera in a snowy town

In every issue News & Analysis, p. 4 Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern detail merger plans Bill Stephens, p. 12 Amtrak should replace Superliners with single-level cars Brian Solomon, p. 44 Amtrak is in equipment transition mode Preservation, p. 46 Chicago & North Western 4-6-0 No. 1385 steams again […]

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Amtrak-inspired flourless chocolate torte

two guys eating Trains LIVE — Amtrak-inspired flourless chocolate torte

Trains LIVE — Amtrak-inspired flourless chocolate torte Trains LIVE — 12-21-2022 — While railroad dining cars of days gone by are a thing of legend, contemporary Amtrak cuisine does have some bright spots. Bryson Sleppy, Model Railroader’s associate editor, found Amtrak’s flourless chocolate torte to be an irresistible offering on the dessert menu during a […]

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Trains LIVE — Amtrak-inspired flourless chocolate torte

two guys eating Trains LIVE — Amtrak-inspired flourless chocolate torte

Trains LIVE — Amtrak-inspired flourless chocolate torte Trains LIVE — 12-21-2022 — While railroad dining cars of days gone by are a thing of legend, contemporary Amtrak cuisine does have some bright spots. Bryson Sleppy, Model Railroader’s associate editor, found Amtrak’s flourless chocolate torte to be an irresistible offering on the dessert menu during a […]

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Railroads urge regulators to stick with tried-and-true interchange policies

Black, gray, and yellow locomotives lined up in yard

WASHINGTON — The Chicago interchange dispute between Canadian National and Canadian Pacific should not upend long-standing practices that determine where railroads exchange traffic, three railroads have told federal regulators. The Surface Transportation Board in October said the CN-CP case raises broad issues regarding interchange practices, particularly after a federal appeals court set aside a board […]

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Year in Review: LIRR completes two major projects

Overhead view of EMU train on three-track main line

Today, Trains News Wire begins our review of the top stories of 2022. We’ll count down the Top 10 stories of the year, as voted on by Trains editors, columnists, and correspondents, beginning Dec. 26. As a prelude, we’ll be looking at major stories that didn’t quite make that list. Today: Notable transit stories. Several […]

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Navajo-owned coal company sues BNSF for breach of contract

Logo of Navajo Transitional Energy Company

BILLINGS, Mont. — A Native American-owned coal company has sued BNSF Railway for breach of contract, claiming the railroad’s preferential treatment of other mines cost it more than $150 million in revenue and $15 million in demurrage penalties in 2022. In a suit filed Monday in federal district court in Montana, Navajo Transitional Energy Co., […]

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Union Pacific train derails in Victorville, Calif. (updated)

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

VICTORVILLE, Calif. — Twenty-seven cars of a Union Pacific train carrying iron ore derailed Tuesday in Victorville, blocking BNSF’s line through the community and leading to the cancellation of Tuesday’s eastbound departure of the Southwest Chief, the San Bernardino Sun reports. No injuries were reported. The derailment occurred about 8 a.m. The cause of the […]

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Brightline marks opening of Boca Raton, Aventura stations

Sign at new Boca Raton Brightline station

BOCA RATON, Fla. — After holding ceremonies today (Tuesday, Dec. 20) to mark the opening of new stations in Boca Raton and Aventura, Fla., Brightline will begin passenger service to both cities on its Miami-West Palm Beach route on Wednesday, Dec. 21. Ceremonies at Boca Raton were held at 9 a.m. featuring remarks by Brightline […]

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Big Skies & Iron Rails, Timelapse Trek to the Tracks

In this extra-long, extended-length, timelapse video (1 hour 20 minutes!), our intrepid railfan/professional photographer Tom Danneman has a long way to go, but makes a point to enjoy the entire journey to, about, and from his favorite trackside destination – Big Sky Country! You’ve seen Tom’s meticulous preparations to his trail-rated 4×4 truck in previous […]

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