Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner to be cut back to one round trip for several weeks

Passenger train at platform

CHICAGO — Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner, which was only restored to twice-a-day round trips in July after finding funds to restore full service, is about to be trimmed once again to one daily round trip between St. Louis and Kansas City. Effective Oct. 24 through Nov. 16, westbound train No. 311 and eastbound No. 316 […]

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Iowa town passes resolution against CP-KCS merger

Red locomotive with gondola cars

PRINCETON, Iowa — The town of Princeton has become the latest in Iowa to formally oppose the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger, citing concerns over blocked grade crossings, noise, and risks from derailments, among other concerns. The Quad Cities Times reports Mayor Kevin Kernan wrote in an emailed statement that “City officials understand that the […]

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Metra releases draft budget, new strategic plan

Commuter train arrives at station on curve

CHICAGO — Commuter rail operator Metra has released a proposed 2023 operating budget of $980 million that includes several options for continuing to discount monthly passes and simplifying other aspects of its fare structure, as well as plans for more than $500 million in capital spending. The agency is also soliciting comment on a newly […]

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BNSF ordered to pay $228 million in suit over fingerprint data

BNSF Railway logo

CHICAGO — BNSF Railway has been ordered to pay $228 million in a federal class-action lawsuit after a jury found that the railroad violated Illinois state law by collecting employee fingerprints without prior consent. The decision is the first in a case involving the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act, the first law passed by a […]

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News photos: Metra unveils first SD70MACH (updated)

Three-quarter view of locomotive in shop building

CHICAGO — Metra has provided a sneak peek at the first of its new SD70MACH locomotives, providing photos Tuesday on its social media channels of locomotive No. 500 being unwrapped by shop personnel. The locomotive will also wear the newest Metra heritage paint scheme, honoring the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Regional Transportation […]

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News photos: Cleanup continues from Sandusky derailment

Train with five locomotives passes cars waiting to be removed after derailment

SANDUSKY, Ohio — Cleanup continues but Norfolk Southern’s main line has been reopened though Sandusky following a derailment that led to reroutes and cancellations for Amtrak service. The Sandusky Register reports that the Columbus Avenue underpass, where derailed tank cars of paraffin wax fell to the railway below, remained closed as of Monday, Oct. 10, […]

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Amtrak Wolverine to Chicago delayed more than 13 hours

Passenger train approaching grade crossing

CHICAGO — Some details have emerged from an ill-fated Friday, Oct. 7, trip of Amtrak Wolverine No. 351, the morning departure from Pontiac, Mich., which arrived in Chicago more than 13 hours late. The trip, scheduled for a trip of 5 hours, 49 minutes with a 10:32 a.m. arrival finally reached Chicago Union station at […]

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NS derailment blocks line in Ohio, leads to Amtrak detour (updated)

Nighttime aerial view of derailed tank cars on bridge

SANDUSKY, Ohio — Ten cars of a Norfolk Southern train derailed on a bridge over a street underpass in Sandusky on Saturday, sending tank cars and debris onto the street below and blocking a line used by Amtrak as well as NS trains. WTOL-TV reports the derailment occurred about 4 p.m., closing Columbus Avenue. The […]

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City of New Orleans, Crescent resume seven-day operation

Passenger train on curve

NEW ORLEANS — Amtrak will finally restore daily service to and from New Orleans on the Crescent and City of New Orleans, among the last of the routes that have only offered five-day-a-week operations since service cuts in January. Saturday and Sunday service on both the Chicago-New Orleans City route and the New York-New Orleans […]

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MARS announces new scholarship to honor former president

Mars logo

CHICAGO — The Midwest Association of Rail Shippers is establishing a new scholarship, the Craig Longardner Scholarship, to honor its former president and long-time member. The Craig Longardner Scholarship, which will join other scholarships already awarded by the organization will be awarded to a single applicant pursuing a degree in logistics, transportation, or supply-chain management […]

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Springfield, Ill., marks completion of latest segment of rail project

Map of planned rail line improvements in Springfield, Ill.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday marked completion of the latest section of the Springfield Rail Improvements Project, a long-running effort to realign rail routes through the city to reduce traffic impacts. The State Journal-Register reports the ceremony was for completion of bridges and underpasses on Fifth and Sixth streets, known as Usable Segment […]

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