The rise and fall of cabless locomotives

Orange and black railroad diesels amid fall foliage

The rise and fall of cabless locomotives, also called B-units, is a story tracing back to the beginning of dieselization. A cabless locomotive is simply a diesel locomotive without a cab for a crew to occupy. This differs from a slug, which has no prime mover and requires power from a mother unit to provide […]

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Amtrak to end diversity programs

Two men with squeegees cleaning windows on bilevel passenger car.

WASHINGTON — Amtrak, which was recognized as one of the best employers for diversity in 2023, will no longer devote resources to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, a company spokesman has confirmed. Bloomberg first reported the move, saying the company had informed employees of that policy in a Feb. 6 email. That email also informed […]

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Sierra Northern acquires locomotive builder RailPower

Blue, green, and gold locomotive with road-switcher design

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sierra Northern Railway has acquired the assets of locomotive builder RailPower LLC as part of its efforts to develop hydrogen and other low- or zero-emission motive power. RailPower has produced approximately 190 locomotives, including 55 hybrid switchers and 116 genset locomotives, while Sierra Northern is currently involved in development of at […]

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MTA names Vonashek as new president of Metro-North Railroad

Man in suit on balcony at Grand Central Terminal

NEW YORK — Justin Vonashek will become president of the Metro-North Railroad, succeeding Catherine Rinaldi, who will retire after almost seven years in the position. The change will be effective April 1. Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Janno Lieber announced the succession plans on Thursday, Feb. 7. Vonashek joined Metro-North as vice president of system safety […]

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Pop Up Metro under consideration for Philadelphia riverfront operation

Map of area along Delaware River waterfront in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — Pop Up Metro has another potential customer, this time in Philadelphia. KYW Radio reports the Delaware River Waterfront Corp. is considering the concept of operating Pop Up Metro’s battery-electric trainsets along existing tracks on Columbus Boulevard, paralleling the Delaware River. Karen Thompson, DRWC director of planning, policy, and engagement,told KYW the exact route […]

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CPKC ceremony opens Ottensmeyer bridge

LAREDO, Texas — Canadian Pacific Kansas City today (Feb. 6, 2025) held the official opening ceremonies for the new Patrick J. Ottensmeyer International Railway Bridge, the second span crossing the Rio Grande at the busiest rail gateway between the U.S. and Mexico. “The name Patrick J. Ottensmeyer will forever be a part of the proud […]

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Two bills addressing hazardous-material rail movements reintroduced in House

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) has reintroduced two bills stemming from the East Palestine derailment of 2023 — one broadening the definition of a “high-hazard flammable train” and setting reporting requirements for railroads for derailments involving hazardous materials, and another requiring railroads to reimburse first responders for costs resulting from derailments. Deluzio (D-Pa.), […]

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McKechnie honored with ASLRRA Distinguished Service Award

Man in suit posed in office

WASHINGTON — Edwin (Ed) McKechnie has been named as the 2025 winner of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s Schlosser Distinguished Service Award, the ASLRRA has announced. Also on Wednesday (Feb. 5), Anacostia Rail Holdings announced Herman Crosson, its chief safety and compliance officer, has been named as the ASLRRA’s Safety Professional of […]

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German hydrogen trains experience problems

White and blue hydrogen-powered multiple-unit passenger train runs on double-track main

Germany has more hydrogen-powered trains in use than any other country, but regular operation has been hit by snags leading to the temporary replacement of the largest fleet by older diesel trains. In mid-December 2024, train manufacturer Alstom —first to build hydrogen-powered passenger trains with its iLINT design, launched in 2014 at the InnoTrans trade […]

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CPKC, United Steelworkers announce tentative agreement

CPKC logo

CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Kansas City has reached a tentative four-year agreement with United Steelworkers, which represents approximately clerical and intermodal employees in Canada. “We are very pleased to have reached another collective agreement at the bargaining table, our third tentative agreement this year in Canada,” CPKC CEO Keith Creel said in a press release. […]

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Proposal for Iowa City commuter rail service stalls

Orange railcar approaches switch on rail line surrounded by trees

IOWA CITY, Iowa — A proposal to launch battery-electric commuter train service between Iowa City and North Liberty, Iowa, appears to be dead after the railroad involved said it would not allow use of its trackage. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that the Cedar Rapids & Iowa City Railway, or CRANDIC, told those involved with […]

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