AAR touts safety improvements as part of industry lobbying day on Capitol Hill

A train passes through a tall, gray, open-ended shed

WASHINGTON — Freight railroad safety improved last year, with the overall train accident rate down 14% and the industry setting all-time low records for derailments and accidents caused by equipment and track, the Association of American Railroads said today, citing data from the Federal Railroad Administration. Human-factor accidents declined by nearly 20% in 2025, which […]

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BLET members ratify contract with MARC operator Alstom

Logo of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have ratified a new four-year agreement with Alstom, the contract operator of Maryland Area Rail Commuter trains. The union also announced that train and engine service employees at Watco’s Austin Western Railroad have voted to join the union. The contract with Alstom, retroactive […]

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FTA to provide $100 million for World Cup public transit

WASHINGTON — The Federal Transit Administration will provide $100.3 million in funding to support public transit systems in host cities for this summer’s World Cup soccer tournament, the agency announced Tuesday (March 3). The money will support planning, capital, and operating expenses for matches and related events; will be apportioned according to a formula involving […]

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CN introduces two America 250 locomotives

Locomotive with eagle and flag design

HOMEWOOD, Ill. — Canadian National today unveiled two locomotives to launch its celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence, saying the units “represent the dual pillars of the American story: independence and innovation.” Locomotive No. 1776 features a “Screaming Eagle” design. “The ‘Screaming Eagle’ has deep historical roots,” the railway says in a press […]

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Amtrak plans track work at Penn Station as Portal Bridge cutover continues: news report (updated)

Crew members in bucket lifts prepare catenary wiring

NEW YORK — Amtrak has scheduled a week of urgent track repairs at New York’s Penn Station to coincide with the final week of the current service changes accommodating the Portal Bridge cutover, NorthJersey.com reports. The work is scheduled to begin March 9 and end March 15, the same day that work is slated to […]

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Class I railroad traffic: 2025 in review

WASHINGTON — Tariffs, geopolitical tensions, a persistently soft truck market, and an uncertain economy marked an eventful 2025, but U.S. rail traffic still managed to eke out a 1.5% gain last year. All six Class I railroads, in fact, posted year-over-year gains in overall volume. On paper, Canadian Pacific Kansas City recorded the biggest percentage […]

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UP derailment near Dunsmuir halts Coast Starlight operations

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

DUNSMUIR, Calif. — Operation of Amtrak’s Coast Starlight remains disrupted following a Sunday, March 1, derailment of a Union Pacific train at the Cantara Loop near Dunsmuir. According to a local TV report, about 19 cars derailed Sunday evening. UP told the broadcaster today (Tuesday, March 3) that no hazardous materials were involved and cleanup […]

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Solomon to lead Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania photo session

Man holding camera with yellow train in background. Soloman to lead Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania photo session.

STRASBURG, Pa. — Railroad photographer, author, and Trains columnist Brian Solomon will lead a photo session at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania on Tuesday, March 10. The program — Railroad Photography: The Steam Locomotive — runs from 9 to 11 a.m. Using the museum’s unique collection of historic steam locomotives, built between the 1830s and […]

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Federal judge says administration can’t kill New York’s congestion tolling (updated)

Message board with words "congestion pricing" on New York street

NEW YORK — The Trump Administration’s effort to kill New York’s congestion tolling program — which helps fund Metropolitan Transportation Authority capital projects — has been ruled illegal by a federal judge. The government cannot revoke its previous approval of the program, U.S. District Court Judge Lewis L. Liman wrote in a 149-page ruling today […]

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C&O Historical Society George Washington Train Show announced

Man handing out paper hats next to small ride-on train. C&O Historical Society George Washington Train Show announced.

CLIFTON FORGE, Va. — The Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society will host its annual George Washington Train Show on March 21-22. The show takes place in two venues: the C&O Railway Heritage Center (701 Main St.) and the Clifton Forge Armory (724 Commercial Ave.). A $5 admission grants access to both venues. The show is […]

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CPKC sets grain-hauling record for second straight month

Grain train led by red locomotive

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Kansas City said today it has broken its February monthly record for transporting Canadian grain and grain products, moving 2.232 million metric tonnes last month. The prior record for February was set in February 2021. Last month’s 23,088 carloads also set a new February monthly record, beating the high also […]

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