Traveling exhibit train to be part of British Railway 200 celebration

Illustration of people at exhibit in railcar

Britain’s Railway 200 celebration — marking the 200th anniversary of modern railroading — has a new element: A traveling exhibition train. The four-car train, named Inspiration, is expected to visit 60 locations over 12 months concluding in summer 2026. Curated in partnership with the National Railway Museum, the train’s cars, provided by rail infrastructure owner […]

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Machinists ratify five-year deal with CSX

Logo of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Members of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers have ratified a new five-year agreement with CSX Transportation, the railroad announced today (March 3, 2025). “IAM’s ratification is a testament to the strength of our partnership with union leadership,” CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs said in a press release. “This underscores our […]

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STB turns down request to review approval of Utah short line

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has turned down a request to reconsider its approval of construction of Utah’s Savage Tooele Railroad. In a decision issued today (March 3, 2025), the board’s four members agreed that those who had petitioned for reconsideration — the Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, Erda Community Association, and two […]

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New-build six-axle locomotive lease fleets

A red freight locomotive leads a train through an arid landscape

Beginning in the early 2000s, the rail industry was introduced to something not seen before, new-build six-axle locomotive lease fleets. CIT Group was the first to purchase, acquiring 40 EMD SD9043MACs in late 1999 and early 2000. This was followed by 25 new General Electric AC4400CWs in 2001 and another 35 AC4400CWs in 2004. The […]

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An Engineer’s Life: Cascade Tunnel adventure, part 2

Three men stand on the rear platform of a caboose stopped on a single track line inside a concrete lined tunnel

Well, I left everybody hanging with the end of my last story, the Cascade Tunnel adventure. The adventure continued even after my conductor, Chris, and I left our freight train inside the 7.9-mile-long Cascade Tunnel after the ventilation failed and hurried our light engines to daylight — and fresh air. Once outside, Chris and I […]

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Canadian National acquisition of Iowa Northern is finalized

Canadian National and lease locomotive with Iowa Northern locomotives on bridge

MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway and Iowa Northern Railway have officially joined their operations, CN said today (Monday, March 3). “This additional investment in the United States underscores our dedication to delivering outstanding rail service while driving economic growth,” CN CEO Tracy Robinson said in a press release. “CN customers and partners along this network […]

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AAR report examines railroading’s financial impact

Two tables illustrating economic impact of U.S. railroads

WASHINGTON — U.S. railroads generated more than $233 billion in economic activity and support almost 750,000 jobs nationwide, the Association of American Railroads says in a new report on the economic impact of the rail industry in 2023. “Railroads are a key pillar of American commerce, powering our supply chains and driving economic growth nationwide,” […]

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Chicago Tribune sues CTA over information requests

Stainless steel railcar with smashed-in front end

CHICAGO — The Chicago Tribune is suing the Chicago Transit Authority over the CTA’s alleged failure to fulfill requests under the Freedom of Information Act, the newspaper reported Saturday. The Tribune reports the suit filed Friday, Feb. 28, in Cook County Circuit Court, cites six instances where the CTA did not respond promptly, fully, or […]

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Missouri man pleads guilty after rail equipment thefts

U.S. Department of Justice seal

ST. LOUIS — A 21-year-old Missouri man has admitted to stealing more than $1.5 million in railroad equipment in Missouri and Illinois. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said in a press release that Jesse Henry of Laclede County, Mo., pleaded guilty on Friday, Feb. 28, to one count of damaging […]

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Alabama Port Authority, CSX break ground on Montgomery inland port

Aerial-view illlustration of rail and truck container facility

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Port Authority and CSX Transportation broke ground on a new inland port intermodal facility in Montgomery that will be capable of handling 30,000 containers for transfer between trains and trucks. The $94 million Montgomery Intermodal Container Transfer Facility or ICTF, was announced in 2022 [see “Alabama Port Authority announces …,” […]

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