BISMARCK, N.D. — The State of North Dakota will continue its 4-year-old rail safety inspection program for at least two more years, the Associated Press reports. The program was set to expire in July, but Gov. Doug Burgum signed a bill extending the program through 2021, and state Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner said he […]
Section: News Wire
OmniTrax ends interest in operating New York short line, leaving one applicant NEWSWIRE
QUEENSBURY, N.Y. — OmniTRAX has withdrawn its application to run the Saratoga Springs-North Creek, N.Y., line formerly operated by Iowa Pacific, leaving just one group as a potential operator. “We’ve got better opportunities elsewhere,” OmniTRAX spokesman Ron Margulis told the Albany Times Union. Originally, three groups had considered taking over the route operated by Iowa […]
UPDATE: Proposed Mexico tariffs would eventually affect cross-border rail traffic NEWSWIRE
With a Canadian National unit in the lead, a northbound BNSF Railway train crosses the international bridge over the Rio Grande at Eagle Pass, Texas, in May 2019. Bill Stephens WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s proposal to hit Mexican imports with tariffs beginning next month could eventually hurt cross-border rail traffic that has been a […]
State chooses eastern Washington short line operator for publicly owned line NEWSWIRE
SEATTLE — The shuffling of operators for segments of the state-owned Palouse River & Coulee City in eastern Washington state continues. The Washington State Department of Transportation said it picked Omaha Track as the winning bidder to operate the 90-mile P&L branch of the PCC, which runs from the Idaho border near Pullman to Marshall, […]
Trains News Wire Round-Up for the week of May 31 NEWSWIRE
This week’s Trains news wire round-up includes Jim and Steve talking about tariffs on Mexican goods; CSX’s views on automation, Amtrak detours and more! Only from Trains! […]
CREATE completes BNSF connection project
CHICAGO — BNSF Railway and CREATE have announced the completion of a CREATE project on the Western Avenue Corridor, the fourth of eight projects completed on that section of the project to improve Chicago rail traffic flow. Overall, 30 projects are now complete of the 70 that make up the entire program. The newest project, […]
CSX CEO Foote expects industry to move slowly toward autonomous operations NEWSWIRE
NEW YORK — Railroads need to take advantage of their investments in positive train control, but the industry likely will move slowly toward one-person crews and autonomous operations, CSX Transportation CEO Jim Foote says. Foote likens PTC to the advent of wayside detectors and end-of-train devices that allowed railroads operate more safely, while eliminating cabooses. […]
Doubleheader opener on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad NEWSWIRE
On May 25, 2019, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad opened its season with doubleheaders, departing from Chama, N.M., and Antonito, Colo. The 64-mile route goes through the scenic Toltec Gorge and climbs the 10,000-foot Cumbres Pass. It is one of the most beautiful scenic railroads in the United States as voted by the 2018 […]
Friends of the 261 takes delivery of former Milwaukee Road E9 NEWSWIRE
Friends of the 261 President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Sandberg poses with former Milwaukee Road E9 No. 32A in St. Paul on May 29. Sandberg’s grandfather was a Milwaukee Road engineer who operated 32A many times on passenger trains between the Twin Cities and La Crosse, Wis. The unit will make its debut at […]
Maine narrow gauge steam reunion set for early 2020 NEWSWIRE
Four Maine steam icons, including Monson No. 3, will be featured in an early 2020 event. Stephen Hussar ALNA, Me. — A grand reunion of two-foot gauge locomotives and rolling stock is set for two weekends in early 2020. This photographic event will take place on Jan. 18-19 and Feb. 8-9 at the Wiscasset Waterville […]
Massachusetts Senate moves to fund MBTA electrification study NEWSWIRE
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Senate has passed a budget amendment to fund a study of electrification of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Fairmount commuter rail line, the Bay State Banner reports. Electrification is one of the alternatives proposed by the MBTA in its Rail Vision program to evaluate the future of its commuter rail system. Electrification […]
‘Missouri River Runner’ service suspension extended
ST. LOUIS — The suspension of Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner service has been extended to at least Sunday, June 2. Flooding elsewhere in the Midwest has led Union Pacific to divert freight traffic onto the route, leading to the suspension of the passenger service. Chartered bus service is providing substitute transportation, stopping at all stations […]
