BLET signs new deal with Illinois & Midland

Logo of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has ratified a new agreement with the Illinois & Midland Railroad, a Genesee & Wyoming short line in central Illinois. The BLET said the agreement includes general wage increases of 29% over the five-year life of the contract, which runs through 20206, as well as […]

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Amtrak Hiawatha Chicago day trip

Passenger train about to pass over water on a bridge in a city landscape.

Amtrak Hiawatha Chicago day trip: Chicago is indisputably the heart of American railroading. Represented by six Class I railroads, Amtrak, Metra, the South Shore Line, Chicago Transit Authority, and a long-list of short line and regional railroads, the city offers a magnitude of rail focal points and it’s little surprise that access to Chicago’s greatest […]

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NTSB to look at crossing design, railcar crashworthiness as Chief investigation continues

Aerial view of locomotives damaged in derailment

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board says grade-crossing design specifications and railcar crashworthiness will be among the factors it continues to examine as it investigates the fatal grade-crossing collision and derailment involving Amtrak’s Southwest Chief. The NTSB released its preliminary report Thursday on the June 27 accident near Mendon, Mo. The preliminary report outlines […]

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Newest Brightline equipment reaches destination

Two freight locomotives pulling two passenger trainsets, including engines

ORLANDO, Fla. — Brightline has welcomed the arrival of two new trainsets at its Orlando Vehicle Maintenance Facility. The “Bright Green 2” and “Bright Pink 2” trainsets arrived Thursday, the third and fourth trains from the passenger operator’s second round of equipment purchases to arrive on site in Florida. The first train arrived in West […]

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Report says New York MTA needs more work to be ready for major storms

Men working along subway platform as pump removes water

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority still needs “considerable work” to be prepared to use some $350 million in flood-control devices installed since Hurricane Sandy caused substantial damage in 2012, according to a new report. Acting MTA Inspector General Elizabeth Keating said in a press release that in the years since Sandy, the MTA […]

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Norfolk Southern to increase pay for conductor trainees

Man in orange vest climbing onto black locomotive

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern is increasing conductor trainee pay to $25 per hour, with a minimum of $200 in earnings per shift, the railroad has announced. Trainees will also be eligible for an on-the-job training incentive of $300 per biweekly pay period, provided they make themselves available to work. “We are committed to ensuring our […]

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UP releases schedule for Big Boy trip

BigBoy_Speer_Wrinn

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Union Pacific has released details of its excursion later this month with Big Boy No. 4014. In a message to members of its Steam Club, the Railroad says the 4-8-8-4 will depart Cheyenne for Denver on Thursday, July 28, at 10 a.m., with an intermediate stop in Greeley, Colo. The locomotive will […]

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