CN locomotive promotes mental health hotline

Red, white, and black locomotive with purple section of long hood and logo of 988 Lifeline

Canadian National recently introduced a locomotive painted to promote the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a service offering support by phone, text, or chat for those facing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or other concerns. The 988 Lifeline logo and “You Are Not Alone” message are displayed on the long hood of SD75IACC No. 8357. […]

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Trains’ top stories of 2025, No. 5: High-profile departures

Man in black coat and white shirt gesturing while speaking

Comings and goings are a natural part of any industry. People retire, move to better jobs, or are told their services are no longer needed. But three moves in the latter category particularly raised eyebrows in railroading in 2025: The resignation of Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner, the firing of Surface Transportation Board member Robert Primus, […]

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California drops suit over cancellation of high-speed rail funding

New five-track rail yard surrounded by farmland. California high speed project marks completion of railhead facility.

SACRAMENTO — California has ended its lawsuit over $4 billion in grant funding cancelled by the Trump administration, Bloomberg reports, deciding it can no longer rely on help for the project from the federal government. “This action reflects the state’s assessment that the federal government is not a reliable, constructive, or trustworthy partner in advancing […]

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Alstom to build 47 passenger trains for new Mexican routes

Illustration of multiple-unit passenger train

Alstom will build 47 new diesel multiple-unit passenger trains for use on passenger routes under construction in Mexico, the company has announced. The order of 33 long-haul and 14 short-haul trainsets will be built for the Mexico City-Querétaro-Irapuato and Saltillo-Monterrey-Nuevo Laredo corridors under a Dec. 15 decision by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation. […]

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Rail industry in 2025: NS rebound, CPKC IT problems among key stories

While it is impossible to summarize the rail industry’s year in a single article, there were certain key stories and themes worth highlighting. Given the amount of material, let’s get right to it. Some of these stories will be addressed in greater depth in the Top 5 stories of the year countdown that begins Saturday, […]

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CPKC Holiday Train sets fundraising record

Red train with snow-covered trees as backdrop

CALGARY, Alberta — The CPKC Holiday Train raised more than Ca$2 million and collected more than 175,000 pounds of food for food banks during its 2025 operating season, which concluded Dec. 21. “Year after year, the CPKC Holiday Train proves that generosity and community spirit know no bounds,” CPKC CEO Keith Creel said in a […]

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Amtrak turns down ‘Transcontinental Chief’ proposal: News report

Passenger train on three-track main passes commuter station

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Amtrak has turned down a private company’s proposal for a transcontinental passenger train that would have included an auto-carrying feature. WPMT-TV reports that Amtrak said in a statement that it reviewed the proposal from AmeriStarRail and “found it to be lacking a fundamental business case to support its lofty proposal.” Earlier this […]

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New Jersey passes bill regulating hazardous-material trains

Union oil train at railroad yard with city skyline in background

TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey’s legislature has passed a rail regulation bill including a two-person crew requirement for trains carrying hazardous materials, as well as a limit on the length of such trains. The bill is now on the desk of Gov. Phil Murphy to sign or veto. The legislation — A4460 in the Assembly […]

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