Digest: BNSF train derails in California desert, spilling alcohol

A vertical image of a train derailment in an arid landscape with low-angle sunlight.

BNSF derailment leads to spill of denatured alcohol Some 25 to 35 cars of a BNSF train derailed Wednesday near the remote San Bernardino County, Calif., community of Ludlow, spilling “several thousand gallons” of denatured alcohol from a leaking tank car, according to a county fire department spokesman. The Victor Valley Daily Press reports the […]

Read More…

Digest: Court rules against railroads in fuel-surcharge case

Trains Magazine placeholder image

Judge rules against railroads on evidence in fuel-surcharge case A federal judge has denied a request by four Class I railroads to exclude certain evidence from a long-running case over fuel surcharges that involves more than 200 major shippers. The motion by BNSF, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific contended that federal law permits limited […]

Read More…

Digest: Longmont, Colo., council to consider legal options over RTD commuter rail project

Denver_RTD

Longmont, Colo., city council to meet on legal options regarding Northwest Rail project The Longmont, Colo., city council is planning a closed-door meeting Tuesday to consider the city’s legal options to push Denver’s Regional Transportation District to commit to building a long-planned, much-delayed commuter rail line to the community. The Longmont Times-Call reports the executive […]

Read More…

Digest: BNSF, UP update recoveries from winter weather

BNSF logo

BNSF, UP update recovery efforts from winter weather The most recent updates from BNSF Railway and Union Pacific as they recover from last week’s severe weather: — BNSF notified customers in a Friday update that it would take some time to clear traffic backlogs, particularly on the southern portion of the railroad, while all four […]

Read More…

BNSF receives patent for moving block system

BNSF train passing signal bridge in snow

WASHINGTON — BNSF Railway has received a patent for a virtual track block system that has the potential to significantly boost existing mainline capacity, raise average train speeds, and improve the detection of broken rails. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office approved the patent application last month, and credits the invention to BNSF employees Mitchell […]

Read More…

Digest: MTA survey finds near-total mask compliance

MTA Logo

More Thursday morning rail news: MTA survey finds 97% compliance with mask rule on subways New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority says 97% of subway passengers were complying with the agency’s mask order during a survey conducted Jan. 11-22, while 99% of those on buses were complying during a survey Jan. 4-8. The figures were released […]

Read More…