Few rail projects included in latest BUILD grant awards

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation on Tuesday (July 15) announced some $488 million in grants under the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development, or BUILD, grant program. While 77% of the funding is for road and bridge projects, two projects totaling $3.2 million are designated as rail projects and at least two others […]

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U.S. rail traffic remains ahead of 2024 levels

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic was once again up in the week ending July 12, the Association of American Railroads reports. AAR statistics show volume of 496,188 carloads and intermodal units, up 2.6% compared to the same week a year ago. That included 223,968 carloads, up 4.1%, and 272,220 containers and trailers, up 1.4%. After […]

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Athearn HO 20-foot ISO tank container

Color photo of undecorated HO scale tank container on white background

Athearn HO 20-foot ISO tank container We recently received a pre-production sample of the Athearn HO 20-foot tank container. This is a hand-assembled model. Details on production models may vary slightly. Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Two-pack, $47.99 Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com Athearn HO 20-foot ISO tank container features: […]

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House committee questions Duffy over grant delays, USDOT policy: Analysis

Man in suit speaking from table

WASHINGTON — U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy faced bipartisan grilling Wednesday questioning the slow pace of his department’s release of funding for already-approved infrastructure grants, as well as the reduction of Department of Transportation personnel to approve them. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing, “Oversight of the Department of Transportation’s Policies and Programs and […]

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FRA kills funding for California high speed project (updated)

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration has terminated some $4 billion in federal funding awarded to but not spent by California’s high speed rail program, following through on a longstanding goal of the Trump administration. California Gov. Gavin Newsom called the move “illegal” and vowed to fight the decision. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in […]

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NTSB issues preliminary report on rail death at Alabama steel plant

Aerial view of rail yard with overlaid graphics showing details of fatal accident

WASHINGTON — A Fairfield Southern Co. employee involved in remote-control switching died from injuries suffered when he struck a railcar on an adjacent track, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary report on the June 16, 2025, accident issued today (July 16, 2025). During switching work at the U.S. Steel Flintridge Yard in […]

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