Digest: Metrorail Safety Commission sees ‘troubling’ DC Metro safety issues

WMATA logo

Metrorail Commission says DC Metro moving the wrong way on safety issues  The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, the independent agency created by Congress to oversee DC Metro safety issues, says the transit agency is moving the wrong way in terms of such basics as making sure trains stop for red signals and following worker safety […]

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Canadian Pacific, Kansas City Southern respond to Justice Department merger concerns

Logos for Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern

WASHINGTON — Canadian Pacific has rebutted Justice Department criticism of its proposed acquisition of Kansas City Southern, telling the Surface Transportation Board that the $29 billion merger can’t happen without a voting trust. The Justice Department on Monday raised concerns about CP’s plan to place KCS into a voting trust while the STB reviews the […]

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CN-Watco deal for Wisconsin, Michigan branch lines runs into unexpected opposition

Map of Watco linces purchased from CN

WASHINGTON — In a move that has stunned rail observers, a pair of local shipper groups is challenging Canadian National’s proposed sale of former Wisconsin Central branches to short line operator Watco. This month CN and Watco sought to have their deal considered exempt from review by the Surface Transportation Board, which is the typical […]

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Digest: Seattle monorail shut down for renovation

Seattle Monorail logo

Seattle monorail shut down through April 30 Seattle’s monorail has shut down for the remainder of April as part of a renovation to prepare for the arrival of the city’s new National Hockey League team, the Kraken, which will debut this fall. KNKX Radio reports the work on the 1-mile line, connecting downtown’s Westlake Center […]

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Digest: Fire causes estimated $3 million damage to BNSF building

BNSF Railway logo

Scottsbluff, Neb., BNSF building sustains $3 million damage in fire A fire in the terminal building at BNSF’s facility in Alliance, Neb., is reported to have caused about $3 million in damage. The Scottsbluff Star-Herald reports the Alliance Volunteer Fire Department responded to the building Sunday about 12:20 p.m., had the fire “somewhat controlled” around […]

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News photo: New Siemens cars depart for testing

New passenger cars

Three Siemens Venture coaches and two Charger locomotives depart Chicago on Monday, April 12, for Effingham, Ill. The cars will test through through Thursday of this week, evaluating the new equipment’s ability to effectively shunt electric current between rails on Canadian National’s former Illinois Central trackage. Since 2006, the railroad has imposed a minimum axle […]

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Digest: Former Amtrak official Stadtler named executive director of Virginia rail agency

Head shot of DJ Stadtler

Stadtler named as first executive director of Virginia Passenger Rail Authority Donald A. (DJ) Stadtler Jr. has been named as the first executive director of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, the agency established by the state legislature in 2020 to promote, sustain, and expand passenger and commuter rail service in the state. Gov. Ralph Northam […]

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Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range: Freight trains

Steam locomotive with freight train

All through April 2021, Classic Trains editors are celebrating, the history, heritage, and grit of the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railroad. Please enjoy this freight train photo gallery of images selected from the files of Kalmbach Media’s David P. Morgan Library. Only from Classic Trains! […]

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Progress continues on Mark Twain Zephyr restoration

Man painting inside of passenger car

TREGO, Wis. — Wisconsin Great Northern continues to make progress in its effort to restore the Mark Twain Zephyr to operation. The railroad acquired the four-car articulated trainset, plus a spare car from the original Pioneer Zephyr, in 2020. Built in 1935, the train is the fourth of nine complete Zephyr trainsets built by the […]

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