After 12 years, Metra holds station groundbreaking (updated)

Illustration of new commuter station

CHICAGO – More than a dozen city, state, local, and Metra officials took turns speaking to the media Monday, then posed for the obligatory shovel photo on the site where the $22 million Peterson-Ridge commuter rail station in the Edgewater neighborhood on Chicago’s north side will be built during the next 18 months. Metra first […]

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Minnesota county disputes funding for Northstar commuter rail

Commuter train with smoking locomotive

MINNEAPOLIS — One of the counties that helps fund Minnesota’s Northstar commuter rail service is seeking to reduce its share of payments to keep the line running, and joining in questions whether the operation should continue in the wake of a massive loss of ridership  because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports […]

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CP to build additional hydrogen locomotives, fueling facilities

Frame and cab of locomotive outside shop building

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific will expand its hydrogen locomotive development program from one locomotive to three after receiving a $15 million grant from Emissions Reduction Alberta. The grant, announced Monday, will also allow the railroad to develop hydrogen production and fueling facilities. It matches the $15 million CP had already planned to invest in […]

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Model railroad locomotive, freight car, structure, passenger equipment, track, and club announcements for November 4, 2021

Milwaukee, Racine & Troy 40-foot boxcar.

Product news Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of November 4, 2021. HO scale locomotives Fairbanks-Morse H-16-44 diesel locomotive. Milwaukee Road […]

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FRA letter warns Norfolk Southern about conductor training, safety deficiencies

Federal Railroad Administration logo

WASHINGTON — Citing a string of recent train-service employee accidents involving injury or maiming, the Federal Railroad Administration last week again warned Norfolk Southern about deficiencies in its conductor-certification program. In an Oct. 28 letter to CEO James Squires, FRA Deputy Administrator Amit Bose wrote that “NS has had five conductors/brakemen suffer amputations and crushing […]

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CP, KCS file merger application

Logos for Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern

WASHINGTON — Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern have filed their merger application with the Surface Transportation Board, meeting the companies’ goal of delivering the document to regulators before the end of October. In a press release sent Friday at 10:40 p.m. EDT, the companies said the application to create new combined company Canadian Pacific […]

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Ohio blocked-crossing bill would levy fines starting at $5,000

Seal of the state of Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio — An Ohio state legislator has introduced legislation that would fine railroads $5,000 or more for blocking grade crossings for more than 5 minutes “to the hindrance of traffic.” The Butler County Journal-News reports state Rep. Thomas Hall (R-Madison Township, Ohio) said House Bill 361 is designed “to get the railroads’ attention,” with […]

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DC Metrorail issues spur FTA inspection advisory (updated)

DC Metrorail train

WASHINGTON — The Federal Transit Administration has issued a safety advisory recommending that rail transit operators inspect wheelsets for “out of tolerance wheel gauges” and to submit records of any railcars that have experienced loosened or shifted wheels. The Washington Post reports the move comes as a result of the derailment and subsequent discovery of […]

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U.S. DOT, California combine to address supply-chain issues

Two trains meet along river while another crosses water on bridge

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The U.S. Department of Transportation and state of California will work together on a program to address supply-chain issues through infrastructure projects under an agreement announced last week. The Emerging Projects Agreement aims to facilitate projects and financing for transportation projects to improve the movement of imports and exports and “bring supply […]

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SEPTA, union reach deal, avoid strike

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority logo

PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority reached agreement with its largest union on Friday, averting a strike that could have begun today. Philly Voice reports Transport Workers Union Local 234, which represents 5,000 workers, agreed to a deal including a 3% raise; pandemic bonus of up to $2,200, based on hours worked between March […]

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