CN joins UP and Ferromex for new cross-border intermodal service

Intermodal train with one red and black locomotive on curve

MONTREAL — Canadian National, Union Pacific, and Ferromex will launch new intermodal service next month linking Canada and Detroit with Mexico, the railroads announced today (Monday, April 24). The Falcon Premium service will connect a dozen CN terminals with the Ferromex terminals in Monterrey and Silao via the Eagle Pass, Texas, gateway. CN and UP […]

Read More…

Germany launches new national low-cost travel pass

Three-car red passenger train on bridge crossing river

The German government has launched a new nationwide travel pass good for use on almost all trains, as well subways, light rail lines, and almost all buses. The new ticket, effective May 1, is called the “Deutschland Ticket, and costs costs 49 euros ($54) a month. It is seen as a permanent successor to the […]

Read More…

British effort seeks to build new 0-4-4 tank engine

British steam locomotive with two-car train

SHILDON, England — British rail enthusiasts have formed several groups to build new steam locomotives as part of the United Kingdom’s thriving heritage rail industry. The trend began with the building of the A1 Tornado, which in 2008 became the first main line steam locomotive built since the end of the steam era. Such a […]

Read More…

Veteran North American-built diesels still hard at work in Argentina

Blue Alco locomotive with short string of hopper cars

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentina’s railways continue to use diesel locomotives supplied new by American builders EMD, GE, and Alco in the late 1950s, with Buenos Aires possibly the only place on the planet where those diesels are working side by side, hauling and switching freight in 2023. More modern Chinese-built locomotives, as well as […]

Read More…

Diesels from long-defunct U.S. builder Davenport still operating in Thailand

Blue and tan shovel-nose diesel locomotive with red pilot at station

Thai State Railways (State Railway of Thailand or SRT) still has at least three diesel locomotives built 71 years ago by long-defunct American manufacturer Davenport Locomotive Works in regular service. One, at Nakhon Lampang in the north of the country, is used regularly to switch cars into Chiang Mai-Bangkok services with passengers onboard. The units […]

Read More…

Swiss gauge-changing trains temporarily restricted to narrow-gauge operation

Bright green locomotive on passenger train in snow-covered mountain town

MONTREUX, Switzerland — Concerns over excessive track wear have led the innovative Swiss Golden Pass Express trains that switch from meter gauge to standard gauge to be temporarily restricted to meter-gauge operations. The Golden Pass Express, or GPX, trains, began operating late last year on the route between Montreux and Interlaken [see “Swiss gauge-changing Panoramic […]

Read More…

KCS working to ease congestion in Mexico as CP merger date looms

Freight train passes station in Mexico

KANSAS CITY — Kansas City Southern de Mexico is battling congestion in key terminals thanks to a combination of stronger than expected traffic growth and a shortage of train crews. The congestion, which began in December, now threatens to gum up Kansas City Southern’s U.S. network less than four weeks before Canadian Pacific gains control […]

Read More…

NJ Transit joins partnership to bring transportation training center to Rutgers

NJ Transit trains meet at Elizabeth, N.J., in August 2019

NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit, the Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation, and the International Association of Public Transportation, or UITP, on Thursday announced a partnership to establish UITP’s first North American Regional Training Center at Rutgers. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said state residents “will reap massive benefits” from the partnership. “By hosting […]

Read More…

Two-year delay to HS2 construction announced by British government

Bridge under construction

LONDON — The British government has announced a two-year delay for completion of the second part of the new HS2 high speed line, ahead of a new government budget to be announced this week. British Transportation Secretary Mark Harper, in announcing the delay for the section north of Birmingham to Crewe, said he was prioritizing […]

Read More…

InnoTrans reports 80% of display space already booked for 2024

BERLIN — About 80% of the display area for InnoTrans 2024 has already been booked — a record for this stage in the booking process, the director of the international rail trade show said Wednesday. The biennial event will be held Sept. 24-27 at the Messe Berlin exhibition grounds. “We are delighted with the consistently […]

Read More…

Ukraine’s railways mark one year of war

Four tracks of stored boxcab-style diesel locomotives

KYIV, Ukraine — Memorial stones and plaques are common at railway stations around the world, commemorating rail history, anniversaries, or rail employees who died in service. On Feb. 24, at the central station in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, a new memorial was unveiled to the 353 Ukrainian railway workers who had been killed during the first […]

Read More…