Tornado blamed for UP derailment in Kansas

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

HAVILAND, Kan. — A tornado is being blamed for the derailment of about 100 cars of a Union Pacific train late Sunday (May 18) in rural Kansas, the Hays Post reports. The incident occurred about 11 p.m. while the train was stopped near the town of Haviland after receiving a tornado warning, UP spokeswoman Robynn […]

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CN continues work to expand capacity and fluidity in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Canadian National aims to squeeze as much capacity as possible out of the Port of Vancouver, where a combination of water, development, and terrain make it difficult to physically expand. CN CEO Tracy Robinson says coordination is essential to getting the most out of the British Columbia port, which last year […]

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Metra assumes operation of trains on UP commuter lines

Commuter train passing freight train

CHICAGO — Metra has taken over operation of the three Union Pacific lines previously operated by the freight railroad under a Purchase of Service Agreement, the commuter operator has announced. The changeover took place on Friday, May 16, according to a recent filing with the Surface Transportation Board. That it occurred without fanfare was intended, […]

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BNSF yardmasters ratify new contract

FORT WORTH, Texas — Members of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers–Transportation Division (Yardmasters) have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with BNSF Railway. The five-year agreement, covering more than 320 yardmasters at BNSF, follows the national pattern along with other work rule/process modernization. “This ratification is affirmation of all […]

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TSB of Canada to investigate CN sideswipe incident

Canadian National logo

EDSON, Alberta — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is sending investigators to a collision of two Canadian National Railway trains described by the railroad as a sideswipe incident. The CBC reports the incident occurred about 7:15 a.m. today (May 18, 2025) near Edson, Alberta. A CN spokeswoman said several cars of grain derailed because […]

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NJ Transit, BLET resume talks

Commuter train at junction

NEWARK, N.J. — Talks between NJ Transit and striking engineers resumed today (Saturday, May 17) — a day earlier than originally indicated — but will continue on Sunday, the transit agency said. “Today’s discussions continued to be constructive,” NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri said in a brief statement. “We’ve mutually agreed to adjourn formal discussions […]

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House bill would provide $80 billion for transit agency operating costs

Commuter trains at station platform with multi-story buildings in background

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) on Friday introduced a bill that would provide $20 billion annually for the next four years to bolster public transit operating budgets. The Stronger Communities Through Better Transit Act would create a grant program for projects that make “substantial improvements to transit service” by increasing routes and frequencies […]

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Alstom CEO Poupart-Lafarge announces plans to step down

SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, France — Alstom CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge will step down at the end of his current term in 2027, the company’s board of directors announced today (May 16, 2025). The announcement came two days after the global rail equipment manufacturer announced what it termed “solid” results for the fiscal year ending in March 2025. The […]

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