Chicago transit agencies scrap planned fare increases in wake of funding bill

Commuter train with cab car leading arrives at station

CHICAGO — The Regional Transportation Authority is scrapping plans for fare increases by Metra, the Chicago Transit Authority, and bus operator Pace in the wake of passage of Illinois legislation providing new funding for the transit operations. Given budget deficits and uncertainty over state funding, the RTA had required all three operating agencies to include […]

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BNSF requests new delay on Arizona logistics project

Plan for BNSF logistics center in Arizona

PHOENIX — BNSF Railway has again asked the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to delay consideration of its planned logistics development in Wittmann, Ariz., this time until Feb. 26, 2026. The board had been scheduled to consider the matter — which faces significant opposition from nearby communities — at a meeting today (Nov. 5, 2025). […]

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The diesel 100 years later

Olive green boxcab locomotive

Walk around the halls of Baltimore’s B&O Railroad Museum and you will encounter many first, last, and only railroad objects. There is the William Mason, an 1856 4-4-0 steam locomotive that pulled Abraham Lincoln’s train as he snuck through Baltimore prior to his presidential inauguration. You will see B&O No. 51, an EMC EA, the […]

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SEPTA faces new federal order on trolley safety

White trolley car going uphill on street

WASHINGTON — Adding to the ongoing issues of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, the Federal Transit Administration has issued an emergency order requiring inspection of the catenary system of SEPTA’s 40-mile trolley network by this Friday, FTA Administrator Marc Molinaro said at a news conference today (Nov. 4, 2025). The press conference by Transportation Secretary […]

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Norfolk Southern, Georgia Tech develop AI-powered wheel defect detector

ATLANTA — When a broken wheel caused a derailment on Norfolk Southern — just a mile after NS received the train through interchange — it prompted the railroad to begin tinkering with new ways to detect wheel defects. “We as a leadership team said there’s got to be a better way,” Chief Operating Officer John […]

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NTSB releases preliminary report on SEPTA trolley incident

Image of interior of trolley car damaged when portions of pantograph penetrated roof.

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board will look at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s catenary inspection and maintenance process as part of its ongoing investigation into a Sept. 25, 2025, incident in which a pantograph separated from a SEPTA trolley, injuring the operator and three passengers. The NTSB released its preliminary report into the […]

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BNSF adds two railroads to its Shortline Select program

Two green diesel locomotives with freight train

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway has added two new railroads — Northern Lines Railway and Columbia Basin Railroad — to its Shortline Select program. Shortline Select is designed to improve interchanges and service while deepening the commercial ties between the Class I and its short line connections. Northern Lines Railway, owned by Anacostia Rail […]

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Santa Fe FT’s on Tehachapi

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An A-B-B-A set of Santa Fe FT diesels leads a westbound freight just below famous Tehachapi Loop in 1949. This train met an eastbound Southern Pacific freight at Walong siding on the Loop itself; steam from the SP train’s cab-forward helper is visible in the distance. Linn H. Westcott photo […]

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No injuries reported in Union Pacific derailment in Kansas

Tangle of derailed auto racks

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Approximately two dozen cars of a Union Pacific freight train derailed early Monday (Nov. 3) in Hutchinson, sending auto racks down an embankment and closing one lane of a state highway. The derailment occurred about 1 a.m. The Hays Post reports that the railroad said in a statement that there were no […]

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Amtrak San Joaquins renamed as Gold Runner

Passenger train stopped at station with bus waiting across platform

STOCKTON, Calif. — The San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority has made official its rebrand of Amtrak’s San Joaquins as Gold Runner trains. The move came on Monday, Nov. 3, and was effective immediately. Trains.com had previously reported plans for the move as part of a report on other changes for San Joaquins and Capitol Corridor […]

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Mainline photo charter with Santa Fe No. 2926 announced

A night scene featuring the massive Santa Fe Railway steam engine at the train station in downtown Albuquerque. Mainline photo charter with Santa Fe No. 2926 announced

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico Heritage Rail has announced two photo charters with Santa Fe 4-8-4 No. 2926 to be conducted by Lerro Photography on Oct. 23–25 and Oct. 30–Nov. 1, 2026. The events will take place on 40 miles of mainline track extending north and south of Albuquerque. Two events are scheduled due to […]

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NTSB final report addresses July 2024 incident at NS Lambert’s Point Yard

Aerial view of yard with notations on accident that injured employee

WASHINGTON — A conductor’s attempt to apply a hand brake while standing in the track gauge, while using a retracted brake stick, was the probable cause of an accident that led to serious injuries to the conductor,  the National Transportation Safety Board said in its final investigation report on the July 2024 incident at Norfolk […]

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