CPKC derailment in British Columbia leads to evacuation, emergency order

CPKC logo

CRANBROOK, British Columbia — A state of emergency was declared and five properties were evacuated today (Saturday, Nov. 29) near Cranbrook after the derailment 12 cars of a CPKC train, including some propane tank cars. The news site Castanet reports the derailment occurred about 7 a.m. CPKC told Castanet there were no injuries. The railroad […]

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Montreal prepares for another transit strike

Blue and silver subway trains side by side

MONTREAL — The union representing Montreal transit maintenance workers has announced plans for a strike beginning Dec. 9. Buses and the Metro rail system will continue operating, although some services could be affected as the strike goes on. The strike, slated to run through Jan. 11, will see the maintenance workers refuse to work overtime. […]

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SMART-TD ratifies new five-year agreement with Union Pacific

Logo of SMART-TD union

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Members of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division have ratified their tentative agreement with Union Pacific, the union announced Friday (Nov. 28). More than 80% of SMART-TD members voted in favor of the five-year agreement, which includes a compounded wage increase of 18.77% over the life […]

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California high speed project issues request for proposals for track construction

Aerial view of bridge over dirt pathway of railroad right-of-way

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California High Speed Rail Authority this week issued a Request For Proposals for the contract to build track and related systems for the 119-mile first segment of the project, between Merced and Bakersfield. The $3.5 billion contract will be one of the nation’s largest for rail infrastructure. Proposals from interested companies […]

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CPKC train derails in Alberta

CPKC logo

Emergency responders on scene of a train derailment in southern Albertahttps://t.co/PhPQ2GVhHW — Global Calgary (@GlobalCalgary) November 27, 2025 CHAMPION, Alberta — Thirty-four cars of a Canadian Pacific Kansas City train derailed Thursday, Nov. 27,  north of the village of Champion, Global News reports. The derailment occurred about noon. No injuries were reported, and no hazardous […]

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How PTC came to Union Pacific’s Big Boy

Editor’s note: The January 2026 issue of Trains Magazine includes author Greg Richardson’s article on the development of positive train control, “The road to PTC,” viewed primarily through the lens of his time in Union Pacific’s PTC program. Space limitations precluded inclusion of his look at development of PTC for Big Boy No. 4014; we […]

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CB&Q turntable to be installed at Silvis shop

Steam locomotive cab being lifted by overhead crane. CB&Q turntable to be installed at Silvis shop.

SILVIS, Ill. — More than 70 years ago, the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific worked from a 45-stall roundhouse located on its 90-acre facility in western Illinois. That building has long since been demolished. Now, Railroading Heritage of Midwest America has broken ground to install a 135-foot turntable and build a six-stall roundhouse on the […]

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STB approves Fortress Investment’s purchase of Wheeling & Lake Erie, Akron-area short line

Red, white, and blue locomotive outside shop building

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has approved Fortress Investment Group’s acquisition of the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway and Akron Barberton Cluster Railway. The acquisition will be effective Dec. 26. In a press release today (Nov. 26), the board notes that the two properties will join six Class III railroads already in the Fortress […]

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