Announcements of 2024 CRISI grants begin

Steel girder bridge over river

WASHINGTON — Elected officials across the country have begun announcing recipients of federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement, or CRISI, grants ahead of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s announcement of the full list of grant recipients. Officeholders generally have the opportunity to announce the grants to their constituents ahead of the U.S. DOT announcement. […]

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FRA proposes automated track inspection regulations

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration this week proposed its first regulations on automated track inspection — but has left untouched the regulations that cover traditional visual track inspections. The rule itself would have little impact on Class I and II railroads: They’re already meeting or exceeding the proposed inspection frequency with their various track […]

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Canadian union calls for CN to prioritize passenger operations

Passenger train on multi-track main line adjacent to highway

OTTAWA, Ontario — Unifor, Canadian’s largest private-sector union, is calling on Canadian National Railways to prioritize passenger operations — and for more government oversight of the relationship between freight and passenger service — in the wake of restrictions CN has placed on VIA Rail Canada corridor trains in Ontario and Quebec. “This is about CN […]

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Bridge collapses on flood-damaged Norfolk Southern line

Bridge over river, bent in middle of span

NEWPORT, Tenn. — A trestle on Norfolk Southern’s storm-closed AS Line in Tennessee collapsed Wednesday, leading to a series of road closures, Newport police reported. Three roads are closed until further notice as a result of the collapse of the bridge over the Pigeon River, the police said in a Facebook post. The NS line […]

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Wildfires, work stoppage limit CN revenue gains

MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway saw modest revenue gains as wildfires and a work stoppage slowed operations in the third quarter in financial results announced today (Tuesday, Oct. 22). Revenue was $2.97 billion in the quarter ending Sept. 30, up 3% from the year-ago quarter. Operating income of $1.1 billion was unchanged from a year […]

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Norfolk Southern continues gains on earnings, operating ratio

Train passing grain facility

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern delivered significant gains in earnings and operating ratio during 2024’s third quarter, with new CEO Mark George noting the railroad is “continuing to close the margin gap” with its peers. The railroad announced adjusted quarterly earnings of $1.1 billion on revenues of $3.05 billion, with an adjusted operating ratio of 63.4%. […]

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MBTA sets Red, Green line shutdowns in November

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority logo

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will continue its effort to address maintenance needs on its rail transit system with a series of projects in November on the Red and Green lines, as well as on three commuter rail lines. Previously announced work on the Orange Line is already in progress and is scheduled […]

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Washout shuts down BNSF line in New Mexico

BNSF Railway logo

ROSWELL, N.M. — BNSF Railway’s Carlsbad Subdivision has been closed by a washout near Roswell that will keep the line closed for most of the week, the railroad has informed customers. An advisory on the railroad website says the washout was reported shortly after 7 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20. After assessment by BNSF personnel, […]

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Groundbreaking set for Amtrak facility in Mobile

aerial view of land along railroad tracks near water

MOBILE, Ala. — Another step in the long-running effort to launch Amtrak service between Mobile and New Orleans is set for Tuesday, Oct. 22, when officials including U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg take part in a groundbreaking ceremony for an Amtrak layover track and platform in Mobile. The ceremony is set for 2 p.m. at […]

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