Legislation would coordinate law enforcement response to cargo theft

WASHINGTON — Railroads and retailers are praising a bipartisan bill in Congress that aims to reduce cargo theft. The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, which was introduced yesterday, would create a coordinated federal response to a rising wave of sophisticated cargo thefts, many of which target consumer goods in containers carried on double-stack trains. “Organized […]

Read More…

SEPTA prepares for major service cuts

Map of SEPTA rail network showing lines to be cut

PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has become the latest transit agency to unveil plans for draconian service cuts because of a funding shortage. Five Regional Rail lines and 50 bus lines would be eliminated, rail service would end at 9 p.m., and 66 stations would be closed under the budget for fiscal 2026, […]

Read More…

Driver of fire truck struck by Brightline train is fired

Image of fire truck on grade crossing from locomotive

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — The city of Delray Beach has dismissed the firefighter who was driving the fire truck struck by a Brightline train in December. City Manager Terrence Moore announced the firing of firefighter David Wyatt in a press release today (April 10), WPBF-TV reports. Moore said the incident “revealed a pattern of carelessness […]

Read More…

Stockton Diamond project gains $14 million in funding

Map of crossing of BNSF, Union Pacifi mainlines in Stockton, Calif.

STOCKTON, Calif. — The Stockton Diamond Grade Separation project, which seeks to eliminate an at-grade crossing of BNSF and Union Pacific main lines, has received $14 million in federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funding. The funding has been approved by the San Joaquin Council of Governments, or SJCOG “The last thing our farmers and […]

Read More…

MTA announces plan to address climate vulnerability of Metro-North Hudson Line

Earthmovers at work to clear mudslide on railroad tracks

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has launched an initiative to protect Metro-North’s Hudson Line from climate change with work to address stormwater runoff, tidal flooding, and other issues. The Metro-North Hudson Line Climate Resilience Blueprint will focus on a 20-mile stretch of the 74-mile route between Croton-Harmon and Riverdale, rebuilding infrastructure such as […]

Read More…

U.S. rail traffic remains ahead of 2024 levels

Weekly table showing U.S. carload rail traffic by commodity type, plus overall intermodal volume

WASHINGTON — U.S. weekly rail traffic remained ahead of 2024 levels in the week ending April 5, the sixth straight week of such gains and just the second showing a double-digit increase. According to information from the Association of American Railroads, volume for the week was 500,584 carloads and intermodal units, an 11.2% increase over […]

Read More…

News photo: NS train reaches Asheville, N.C.

Train of hopper cars crossing concrete bridge across river

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The continuing work to restore service on Norfolk Southern’s line into Asheville reached a milestone on Tuesday (April 8) as an NS ballast train became the first train to reach Asheville since it was closed Sept. 27, 2024, by Hurricane Helene. More than 21,500 feet of track was washed out, and another […]

Read More…

Illinois men sentenced for derailing UP locomotive

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

PEORIA, Ill. — Two Bartonville, Ill., men have avoided jail time through a plea bargain regarding charges they derailed a Union Pacific locomotive late last year. Jimmy Johnson, 20, and Caleb Finley, 18, pleaded guilty last week to charges of damage to railroad property, a Class 4 felony, WCBU radio reports. They were sentenced in […]

Read More…

NARS conference set for May 7-9 in Chicago

North American Rail Shippers logo

CHICAGO — Today (April 9) is the last day for the early-bird registration fee for the North American Rail Shippers conference, to be held May 7-9 in Chicago. CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs leads the list of speakers scheduled to take part in the North American Rail Shippers Conference, set for May 7-9 in Chicago. The […]

Read More…