FRA, FTA projects among those to receive grants from funding backlog

View of underground station platform

WASHINGTON — Thirty-four Federal Railroad Administration projects and 154 under the Federal Transit Administration are among a batch of more than 500 Department of Transportation projects that had previously been approved that have now received their financial obligation, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced today (June 10, 2025). The 529 projects, with funding of more than […]

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Ethanol cars on UP train derail in Texas; no spill reported

Image from X.com of overturned tank car at derailment in Waxahachie, Texas. USE ONLY AS "FEATURED IMAGE"

? BREAKING: Train derailment in downtown Waxahachie ? Happened just before midnight. 16 cars jumped tracks, 14 are tanker cars carrying ethanol. City officials confirm no leaks, no injuries, no immediate danger to the public. We’re live on scene on @NBCDFW with updates. pic.twitter.com/fh4uBv0CHT — Alanna Quillen (@AlannaNBC5) June 10, 2025 WAXAHACHIE, Texas — Sixteen […]

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Two trains derail in UP incident in Wyoming

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

SINCLAIR, Wyo. — At least 15 cars derailed in an incident Monday (June 9) involving two Union Pacific trains, Cowboy State Daily reports. The incident was reported about 9:30 a.m. A Union Pacific representative told the news site in an email that cars on two trains had derailed near Sinclair, and that there were no […]

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Phoenix light rail system opens 5.5-mile addition

Light rail trainset in downtown Phoenix

PHOENIX — The Phoenix light rail system has grown by 5.5 miles, and gone from a single route to a two-line system, after the opening of the South Central Extension and Downtown Hub on Saturday, June 7. The opening of Valley Metro’s seven-station extension southward along Central Avenue from downtown to Baseline Road is projected […]

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Trump budget greenlights more National Network investment: Analysis

Passenger train with mix of single and bilevel equipment

WASHINGTON — Although the Trump Administration’s budget for fiscal 2026 provided little rationale for boosting Amtrak’s National Network funding by almost 23% while decreasing Northeast Corridor money by 25.5%, the proposal provides insight for Congress and company leadership on what their priorities should be. The recent release of budget details [see “Trump budget calls for […]

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Santa Cruz, Calif., rail project could cost $4.3 billion

Blue and white passenger trainset

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — Construction of the long-discussed, much-debated rail line to Santa Cruz using a former Southern Pacific branch line could cost up to $4.3 billion, according to a document released Friday (June 6, 2025). The draft version of the executive summary of an upcoming report on the project, known as the Zero Emission […]

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Light rail station serving LA airport opens

People mover cars at station over street

LOS ANGELES — Direct rail service to and from Los Angeles International Airport is a step closer to reality after the opening of the LAX/Metro Transit Center on Friday, June 6. The long-awaited bus and light rail terminal, east of the airport will eventually provide connection to an automated people mover system serving airport terminals. […]

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MBTA holds meeting on South Coast Rail issues

Purple and black locomotive at station platform

FALL RIVER, Mass. — Residents voiced complaints about unreliable service and noise from idling trains on Thursday at a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority public meeting about early issues with the South Coast Rail service that debuted in March. The Fall River Herald News reports that about 100 people were on hand for a meeting with […]

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Union Pacific urges STB to turn down Metra bid for trackage rights

Commuter train and freight train meet, as seen in view from bridge

WASHINGTON — Metra’s request to the Surface Transportation Board for terminal trackage rights in the Chicago area is an effort to maintain below-market rates for access to the Union Pacific system, UP says in a filing responding to Metra’s initial arguments to support that request. Such a financial dispute “is not the board’s problem,” UP […]

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Parallel Systems begins testing autonomous car on G&W short line

Parallel Systems and Genesee & Wyoming short line Heart of Georgia Railroad this week began the first phase of testing of Parallel’s autonomous, battery-electric flat car. The initial round of testing of Parallel’s container car is being conducted near Glenwood, Ga., in conjunction with the Federal Railroad Administration. The equipment has already been put through […]

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Santa Clara VTA workers approve new contract

White light rail train at station

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Members of the Amalgamated Transit Union have approved a new contract with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, ending a contract dispute that included a 17-day strike in March. Local 265 of the union reports that members voted 689-298 in favor of the new contract in balloting on Tuesday, June 3. […]

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