U.S. weekly rail traffic edges above 2021 levels

Table showing weekly U.S. carload rail traffic by commodity, plus intermodal totals

WASHINGTON — In a rare occurrence for 2022, U.S. freight rail traffic for the week ending Aug. 20 was up over the same week a year ago — albeit by the barest of margins. According to statistics from the Association of American Railroads, traffic for the week was 501,548 carloads and intermodal units — an […]

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Amtrak Midwest Venture car adventure

In August of 2022, Trains.com staff had a chance to travel from Chicago, Ill., to St. Louis, Mo., along the Illinois Hi-speed Rail corridor. For this trip, riders were treated to the newest equipment operating in the Amtrak Midwest fleet, Siemens-built Venture coaches. Discover some of the major (and subtle ones too!) features these coaches […]

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Trains LIVE — Passenger Columnist Bob Johnston

Bob

Trains LIVE — Passenger Columnist Bob Johnston TrainsLIVE — 08-24-2022 — this week, Bob Lettenberger talks with Trains Magazine’s own Passenger Columnist Bob Johnston to talk about the best and brightest of Amtrak during Trains.com’s #amtrakweek! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Trains LIVE is a regular video segment, recorded live and unscripted from Kalmbach Media. The series began in July […]

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Trains LIVE — Passenger Columnist Bob Johnston

Bob

Trains LIVE — Passenger Columnist Bob Johnston TrainsLIVE — 08-24-2022 — this week, Bob Lettenberger talks with Trains Magazine’s own Passenger Columnist Bob Johnston to talk about the best and brightest of Amtrak during Trains.com’s #amtrakweek! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Trains LIVE is a regular video segment, recorded live and unscripted from Kalmbach Media. The series began in July […]

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Germany hydrogen trains achieve another milestone

Blue and white two-car passenger train at station in Germany

BREMERVORDE, Germany — Germany’s pioneering hydrogen-fuel-cell powered passenger trains have achieved the next step in their launch, fully handling service on their Cuxhaven-Bremervörde-Butexhude route as of today. Alstom, manufacturer of the 14 Coradia iLint trainsets, called the 100% hydrogen operation of the route a “historical milestone” in a press release. The trains had begun operation […]

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10 more oddball diesels in North America

A Romanian FAUR Quarterhorse locomotive

Oddball diesels in North America: Oddball diesel locomotives are the exception, not the rule. For the most part, North American railroads are interested in performance and reliability when it comes to motive power. And why not? A disabled locomotive at the point of a freight train going nowhere is not something – from the people […]

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Work to resume shortly on Maryland’s Purple Line project

Schematic diagram showing route of Maryland's purple line and connections with DC Metrorail and MARC commuter trains

BETHESDA, Md. — Work on Maryland’s long-delayed Purple Line light rail project should resume in earnest after Labor Day, WTOP radio reports. Laborers’ International Union of North America has signed a collective bargaining agreement with Maryland Transit Solutions, the new contractor set to finish the line, with the union’s business manager, Steve Lanning, telling the […]

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Missouri judge denies motions to delay Southwest Chief court cases

Aerial view of three Superliner passenger cars on their side after derailment

KEYTESVILLE, Mo. — A Missouri circuit court judge has denied requests to delay lawsuits over the June derailment of Amtrak’s Southwest Chief while the National Transportation Safety Board investigation into the accident remains active. KOMU-TV reports Judge Terry Tschannen ruled Monday that, while certain information may not be disclosed while the NTSB is investigating, the […]

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Watco to provide rail, logistics services at Kansas industrial park

Watco logo, new version as of 2022

PARSONS, Kan. — Watco will become the rail operator for the Great Plains Industrial Park in Parsons, a 6,800-acre facility with more than 26 miles of rail line, following the transportation company’s selection by the Great Plaines Development Authority. Watco will provide switching, transload, warehouse, material handling, truck, and logistics services for rail and non-rail […]

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OmniTRAX becomes rail partner for Tulsa port

Logo of short line company OmniTrax

TULSA, Okla. — OmniTRAX has been named excusive rail partner for the Tulsa Port of Catoosa, an inland port which provides barge access to the central U.S. The long-term agreement became effective Aug. 18. The new Port of Catoosa Industrial Railroad becomes the second OmniTRAX property in Oklahoma, and in the Tulsa area, joining the […]

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