Talks break off between VIA Rail Canada, Unifor

New passenger equipment in shop building

MONTREAL — Talks have broken off between VIA Rail Canada and Unifor, the union representing 2,500 workers including onboard attendants and mechanical workers, the union said today (June 2, 2025). The end of negotiations comes with a potential strike as little as three weeks away. Employees could walk out as soon as June 22 following […]

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SMART to launch service to Windsor, Calif., station

Map of Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit

PETALUMA, Calif. — Northern California commuter rail service Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit is set to launch service on its northern extension to Windsor, Calif., on Saturday (May 31). The North Bay Business Journal reports that SMART received final clearance from the Federal Railroad Administration to begin operation on Thursday, according to SMART General Manager Eddy […]

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Tehachapi Depot Museum to celebrate 15th year; Union Pacific designation as ‘Train Town’ planned

train station in sun with benches

TEHACHAPI, Calif.— The Friends of the Tehachapi Depot and the City of Tehachapi will commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Tehachapi Depot Museum in early June. The replica structure was built shortly after the destruction of the original station by a fire in 2008. “We are thrilled to honor this milestone for the Tehachapi Depot […]

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Amtrak, Metrolink service through San Clemente to resume June 7

Short passenger train on straight track across open wetlands

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — Amtrak and Metrolink service through San Clemente will resume on Saturday, June 7, the Orange County Transportation Authority announced today (Thursday, May 29). The Surf Line route through San Clemente — an area where landslides have frequently disrupted train traffic in recent years — has been closed since April 28 to […]

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Meeting set on latest options to reroute rail line through Del Mar, Calif.

Passenger train passing construction equipment along beach

SAN DIEGO — The effort to relocate the Surf Line rail route through Del Mar, Calif. — or not — is once again soliciting public comment. The San Diego Association of Governments will host a meeting on the latest set of proposals for line relocation — including one option that would leave the route where […]

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Contract for short line service at ports of LA, Long Beach up for bid

Two trains meet along river while another crosses water on bridge

LONG BEACH, Calif. — The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are now accepting proposals from prospective operators of the short line railroad serving the two ports. Pacific Harbor Line has provided the service since 1998, the last time the contract was put out for bid. While the two ports are administered by the […]

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Pacific Harbor Line honored for role in global trade

Two black and silver locomotives with strings of containers

WILMINGTON, Calif. — Pacific Harbor Line, the Anacosta Rail Holdings railroad serving the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, has been named as the recipient of the Bob Kleist Leadership Award for 2025 during the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce’s World Trade Week celebration. The award named for Kleist, a leader in international […]

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Proposed legislation would ease California environmental regulations

Three red and yellow diesel locomotives exit a tunnel and round a curve in hilly country

On May 5, Congressmen John Moolenaar (R-MI), Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and Craig Goldman (R-TX) introduced the Lifting Overburdensome Commerce Obstructions and Motives Act (LOCOMOTIVES Act), which aims to limit California’s ability to place “unsustainable” regulations on trains crossing into the state.  The legislation would revise Section 209 of the Clean Air Act to close a […]

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Trump to axe California high-speed rail funding

Computer rendering of California high speed rail train at dusk

Citing cost overruns, the federal government will no longer provide funding for California’s planned Los Angeles-to-San Francisco high-speed rail project, according to a news report from Reuters.  President Donald Trump made the comment to reporters yesterday during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.  In February, the Federal Railroad Administration announced it was conducting […]

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Mortensen, long-time executive director of San Joaquin rail commission, to step down

Woman speaking at podium

STOCKTON, Calif. — Stacey Mortensen, executive director of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission, will step down from her position on Aug. 31 after 27 years, the commission has announced. The commission oversees the Altamont Corridor Express commuter rail operation and manages the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority, which oversees Amtrak’s San Joaquins service. “I […]

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Former Caltrain official convicted of embezzling for construction of apartment at train station

Mission-style passenger station

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — A former Caltrain official has been convicted of embezzling public funds to build a secret apartment in the historic Burlingame, Calif., station used by the commuter rail operator. The San Jose Mercury News reports a jury found Joseph Navarro guilty of one felony count of misappropriation of public funds. The result […]

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California Senate committee advances bill limiting train length

Freight train with yellow locomotives in mountains

SACRAMENTO — California legislation that would limit train lengths and require wayside detectors cleared its first hurdle in the state legislature last week, advancing through the Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Communications. The bill, which advanced by a 12-4 vote on April 21 with one committee member not voting, was introduced in February by […]

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