Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation are continuing to deal with the impacts of severe flooding in the southeastern U.S. that occurred earlier this week An NS customer alert posted today (Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025) says the railroad is working to restore both tracks of its mainline west of Williamson, W.Va., on the which are out […]
Section: News Wire
FRA study recommends developing and testing prototype dual-mode freight locomotives

WASHINGTON — A Federal Railroad Administration study on mainline electrification recommends that the railroad industry develop a prototype dual-mode freight locomotive and battery tender that could test the feasibility of leaving cost-saving gaps between sections of overhead catenary. Over the decades, North American freight railroads have studied electrification but have always reached the same conclusion: […]
CSX CEO makes progress mending fences with employees: Analysis

CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs is not one to shy away from a tall task. Since arriving at CSX in September 2022, he has been on a mission to repair the railroad’s damaged relationship with its employees. His goal: Build a culture of respect and trust, where workers feel valued and appreciated. It’s the cornerstone of […]
Freight derailment disrupts NJ Transit service (updated)

UNION, N.J. — Commuter rail service on NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Line has been suspended because of the derailment of a freight train, according to an alert on the agency’s website. While media reports identify the incident as a Conrail derailment, the train involved is actually a Norfolk Southern intermodal train operating on Conrail Shared […]
Signal and communications workers ratify deal with CN in Canada

MONTREAL — The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers has ratified a new four-year contract with Canadian National Railway, CN has announced. The union represents approximately 750 signals and communications workers in Canada. The deal includes annual 3% wage increases. “The ratification of this agreement by our employees with the IBEW union represents a mutually beneficial […]
Floods halt Amtrak’s City of New Orleans (updated)

CHICAGO — Flooding is disrupting operation of Amtrak’s City of New Orleans, while Empire Builder departures have been cancelled for a fourth straight day. Other Amtrak cancellations announced for today (Feb. 18) include both directions of the Borealis between St. Paul and Milwaukee and a Lincoln Service trip from St. Louis to Chicago, according to […]
British rail reorganization plans moving forward

Despite a few public setbacks, including the short-notice replacement of the previous Transport Secretary, the British government’s plans to restructure the passenger rail industry are moving ahead. Plans are to create a new national rail holding company, bringing together the railway network infrastructure and the operation of most passenger trains for the first time since […]
Liquid bulk facility served by New Orleans Public Belt expands

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad and Gulf Gateway Terminal LLC have announced expanded storage capacity for liquid bulk traffic at Gulf Gateway’s facility at the Port of New Orleans. The terminal is a liquid storage and distribution on 40 acres at the port with access to all six Class I railroads […]
Las Vegas looks at $12 million investment to keep monorail running

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The tourism organization that owns the Las Vegas Monorail is considering spending up to $12 million to keep the 3.9-mile, seven-station transit system running for at least another decade. The monorail, which dates to 2004, was purchased by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority in 2020. Now the authority is […]
New non-profit paves way for railroading and preservation’s future

Railroad-related non-profit organizations are typically dedicated to preservation and educating others about the past. One such non-profit, however, is focused on the future of railroading and rail preservation: Next Generation Railroaders (NGR). Bridging the Gap, Passing the Torch The future of both industries depends on the next generation, but transferring knowledge and passion isn’t always […]
UP announces locomotive honoring Abraham Lincoln

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific has marked Presidents Day by announcing plans for a locomotive to honor the nation’s 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, who signed the legislation authorizing construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, leading to UP’s creation. The paint scheme of locomotive No. 1616 will feature “the unique colors of Lincoln’s era,” UP said in […]
VIA’s Oceans delayed overnight; make rare daytime trip

MONTREAL — With the province of Quebec walloped by at least 15 inches of snow in the last few days followed by plunging temperatures, VIA Rail Canada management delayed Sunday’s eastbound and westbound Montreal-Halifax Ocean by 13 hours rather than cancel one of the trains. Additional blowing snow — about 27 inches is now on […]