WASHINGTON — A Houston-New York route received the highest preliminary ranking in the Federal Railroad Administration’s newly released Long-Distance Service Study final report, which considers 15 previously identified routes for new or restored Amtrak service. However, the report says the rankings “do not reflect prioritization for implementation funding,” but may “provide guidance on future priorities […]
CHICAGO — Amtrak’s list of Midwest train cancellations because of extreme cold weather continues to expand. Added to the list in an updated advisory issued at 1 a.m. ET today (Monday, Jan. 20) are the following trains that were scheduled to operate today: — Combined Missouri River Runner/Lincoln Service train No. 318 , the 8:40 […]
WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration will allow Parallel Systems to test its autonomous, self-propelled flatcar system on a pair of Genesee & Wyoming short lines in Georgia. The FRA last week approved the request from Parallel, Georgia Central Railway, and Heart of Georgia Railroad. In August 2023 the Los Angeles-based Parallel and the G&W […]
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — When people in shipping or logistics discuss the advantages of trucking over railroads, one of the things they talk about is ease of use. Union Pacific is working on addressing that, at least when it comes to its online portal for customers, says Kenny Rocker, executive vice president, marketing and sales. “Some […]
Developing and adhering to a structured operating plan gives railroads a step-by-step process to running their trains. The structure is required to drive long-term success. And whether it’s your daily routine or running a 23-state railroad network, having a plan is important. In recent years, it’s been a template of fewer but longer scheduled trains […]
MONON, Ind. — Cleanup is continuing after 15 cars of a CSX train derailed near Monon on Saturday morning, disrupting operation of Amtrak’s Cardinal both into and out of Chicago. The derailment occurred about 7:10 a.m. at the West Pass siding northwest of Monon. As a result, the westbound Cardinal due to arrive in Chicago […]
GATINEAU, Quebec — A broken rail caused to the Canadian National derailment that led to a hazardous-materials release and shelter-in-place order in a Montreal suburb in November 2024, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said in a report released on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. The derailment in Longueuil, Que., occurred about 8:27 a.m. on Nov. […]
WASHINGTON — The House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials has announced plans to hold a hearing on freight and passenger rail issues and the state of the railroad industry this Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. The hearing, entitled “America Builds: Examining America’s Freight and Passenger Rail Network,” is set for 10 a.m. ET in […]
WASHINGTON — A federal court has struck down a Department of Transportation rule on transportation of liquefied natural gas enacted in 2020, saying the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration did not sufficiently consider the safety risks involved. Specifically, the decision by a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia […]
NEW YORK — New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority and NJ Transit are advising passengers to be prepared for service changes as a winter storm moves into the area on Sunday, Jan. 19. In a press release on statewide storm preparations, the MTA says it is closely monitoring the weather but currently has no changes to […]
WASHINGTON — While global transportation transitions to a cleaner future fueled by alternative power sources, North American railroads have fewer good options outside of diesel fuel. “We love diesel; we like to take showers in diesel,” joked Michael Nicoletti, a partner at Innovative Rail Technologies (IRT), at “Toward Zero Emissions in Rail: Lessons Learned,” a […]
CLEVELAND — The American Steam Railroad Preservation Association is aiming for an initial test firing of Reading Co. 4-8-4 No. 2100 within 60 days, as it continues a number of smaller projects after completing installation of firebox firebrick. The engine is being restored to operate as American Freedom Train No. 250. Forrest Nace, the organization’s […]
