Intermodal pioneer David DeBoer, 1938-2025

WATSONVILLE, Calif. — David DeBoer, an intermodal pioneer who was instrumental in the development of the now ubiquitous double-stack well car, died on Nov. 17. He was 87. He began his transportation career with the New York Central, and later spent time at Trans World Airlines. He joined the Federal Railroad Administration after the bankruptcy […]

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Last duty for a PRR Mikado

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In September 1955, workers at the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Renovo (Pa.) engine terminal prepare L1s 2-8-2 No. 8426 for service as a stationary steam supply at the road’s giant Sunnyside Yard in New York City. The Mike has been converted to oil-firing for this duty, most likely its last assignment. Philip R. Hastings photo […]

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Former rail union official in Kansas City pleads guilty to embezzling

U.S. Department of Justice seal

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A former official of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen local in Kansas City, Mo., has pleaded guilty to embezzling almost $55,000 from the union. David L. Scofield, 65, of Independence, Mo., is the former recording financial secretary of BRS Local Lodge 21. On Tuesday (Nov. 25), he pleaded guilty to U.S. […]

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CPKC disputes NS and UP complaints over Meridian Speedway service levels

Map of eastern U.S. highlighting route between Meridian, Miss., and Shreveport, La.

WASHINGTON — Canadian Pacific Kansas City has told federal regulators that Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific complaints about its train-length restrictions and handling of their intermodal trains on the Meridian Speedway have no merit. On Sept. 30, the eve of the federal government shutdown, NS and UP wrote separate letters to the Surface Transportation Board, […]

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California opens new derailment training site for first responders (with video)

Two firefighters standing on top of tank car stacked to simulate derailment

ROSEVILLE, Calif. — The California Office of Emergency Services and city of Roseville have opened a new Hazmat Derailment Training Site at the Roseville Fire Training Center, filling a need in the state that was underlined by a November 2020 derailment and hazardous materials spill near Goshen, Calif. The facility, opened with a dedication ceremony […]

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Metro-North, Long Island Rail Road Holiday Lights Trains to make season debut Friday

Commuter train decorated with holiday lights

NEW YORK — The Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad will launch their Holiday Lights Trains this Friday, Nov. 28. The colorfully lit trains will operate through New Year’s and will display special holiday-themed safety messages at selected stations. This year, Metro-North is adding a diesel-powered train for the first time, bringing the holiday […]

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Dozens of trade associations express concern over UP-NS merger

WASHINGTON — More than 60 trade associations have told federal regulators that they fear that Union Pacific’s proposed $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern will raise rates, hurt service, and put too much traffic under control of a single railroad. “History has shown that increased rail consolidation leads to fewer choices, higher transportation costs, service […]

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BNSF questions Union Pacific’s compliance with Southern Pacific merger conditions

WASHINGTON — BNSF Railway has revived its efforts to serve a pair of quarries located on Union Pacific trackage in Texas and Arkansas. UP and Southern Pacific served the locations prior to UP’s 1996 acquisition of the SP. As a condition of regulatory approval of the merger, BNSF was granted the right to serve so-called […]

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Milwaukee Road caboose donated

Four people shaking hands next to an orange caboose decorated with a Christmas ribbon. Milwaukee Road caboose donated.

NORTH FREEDOM, Wis. — The Mid-Continent Railway Museum received Milwaukee Road steel bay-window caboose No. 02091 (later No. 992091) as a donation to its collection today. The donation came from Ken and Ruth Rupp. The caboose was built by the railroad in its Milwaukee Menomonee Valley shops. It is known to have run in Western […]

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News photos: Genesee & Wyoming releasing America 250th anniversary locomotives

Red, white, and blue locomotive with large "America 250 lettering" and image of Liberty Bell

Genesee & Wyoming has unveiled the latest in a series of locomotives honoring America’s 250th anniversary — and the first in a modified paint scheme reflecting changes after two units were originally painted with a lighter blue as the primary color. The Buffalo & Pittsburgh locomotive, C44-9W No. 4434, features a Liberty Bell design. It […]

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FTA reports significant growth in transit-related fatalities, calls for examination of hazards

Federal Transit Administration logo

WASHINGTON — Rail trespassing and suicide fatalities increased by 70% between 2016 and 2025, and now account for 50% of all fatalities reported to the National Transit Database, the Federal Transit Administration said in a safety advisory issued Monday, Nov. 24. Advisory 25-1 calls on state agencies overseeing rail transit operations to direct those operators […]

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