FORT WORTH, Texas— Dallas-Fort Worth area commuters looking forward to the Jan. 5 startup of TEXRail will have to wait until the federal government reopens before riding the area’s newest commuter train. “We have been unable to get clearance to operate the entire 27-mile corridor from the Federal Railroad Administration,” Trinity Metro, the train’s operator, […]
Zone & Region: Plains & Texas
Government shutdown could keep TEXRail from full operation NEWSWIRE

FORT WORTH, Texas — The partial shutdown of the federal government could prevent the TEXRail commuter line from full operation on Saturday, its scheduled opening day. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that the rail line from downtown Fort Worth to DFW International Airport needs Federal Railroad Administration certification for a junction near downtown, where the […]
TEXRail debuts with ceremonial run NEWSWIRE
FORT WORTH, Texas— In the closing hours of 2018, a new passenger train serving the Dallas/Fort Worth area initiated service. TEXrail, a train operated by the Trinity Metro made its maiden voyage on Monday with about 500 dignitaries involved with planning, funding, and building the train on board. The service starts at downtown Fort Worth’s […]
Fort Worth’s TEXRail set to debut NEWSWIRE

FORT WORTH, Texas — TEXRail, the newest element in the Dallas-Fort Worth area’s growing network of commuter and light rail, will make its debut on New Year’s Day, with regular service set to begin Jan. 5. The New Year’s Day kickoff will feature officials from the cities along the route taking a celebratory ride, ending […]
Dallas Area Rapid Transit awards contracts to build Cotton Belt commuter line

DALLAS — Dallas Area Rapid Transit has awarded $872 million in contracts to design and build its 26-mile Cotton Belt commuter rail line, the Dallas Morning News reports. The contract was awarded to a joint venture of Archer Western Construction, based in Irving, Texas., and Herzog Contracting, based in Fort Worth. Construction is scheduled to […]
Oklahoma City streetcars debut NEWSWIRE

An Oklahoma City streetcar engages in testing. The system opened on Friday. EMBARK OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City’s streetcar system debuted on Friday, offering free rides for its first three weeks. The streetcars will serve two overlapping loops, one of 4.8 miles downtown that will offer service six days a week, and one of 2 […]
President George H.W. Bush funeral train video

Watch the Union Pacific funeral train for George H.W. Bush as it crosses Texas. You’ll see SD70ACe No. 4141, painted and lettered for our 41st president, do the honors while thousands of people line the tracks to pay their respects. […]
President George H.W. Bush funeral train video

Watch the Union Pacific funeral train for George H.W. Bush as it crosses Texas. You’ll see SD70ACe No. 4141, painted and lettered for our 41st president, do the honors while thousands of people line the tracks to pay their respects. […]
Using restored vintage equipment, El Paso begins streetcar service NEWSWIRE

A streetcar tests on the streets of El Paso earlier this year. The city’s streetcar system, brought back after being shut down in 1974, opened on Friday. El Paso Streetcar via Facebook EL PASO, Texas — After offering limited free operation during its grand opening weekend, the 4.8-mile El Paso Streetcar system begins full operation […]
Kansas court rules for BNSF in grade-crossing case

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Court of Appeals has found for BNSF Railway in a case regarding state law on blocked grade crossings, saying in a decision released Friday that federal jurisdiction preempts state law. Officials in Chase County, Kan., had cited the railroad for blocking grade crossings for more than the 10 minutes allowed […]
Mountains on the prairie

Illinois Central 4-8-2s pass at speed on the double track near Gilman in September 1954. Engine 2539 is southbound, 2418 northbound; both are on freight. Philip R. Hastings photo […]
Washout delays Amtrak ‘Heartland Flyer’ NEWSWIRE
ARDMORE, Okla. — A track washout in southern Oklahoma delayed passengers traveling to Oklahoma City from Dallas-Fort Worth on Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer. Heavy rains late Sunday afternoon damaged the tracks between Gene Autry and Davis. At 5:15 p.m., the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Carter County. KFOR News 4 reported that the […]