CHICAGO — Amtrak’s “new normal” for handling anticipated severe weather — cancelling trains rather than operating them into a region where a storm is predicted — has proven to be a significant change from decades past when passenger rail earned an “all-weather” reputation. Fewer railroad resources in far-flung locations and Amtrak’s stretched-thin equipment situation are […]
Canadian National has opened a new 4-mile stretch of double track on its former Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Chicago bypass route. The track, between Sutton and Spaulding, Ill., has increased velocity through the area by 30%, Patrick Whitehead, the railway’s executive vice president of network operations, said in a post on LinkedIn. The 17% in […]
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board says it is on schedule to issue a decision by early summer in the Sunset Limited on-time performance case, the first Amtrak has brought against a host railroad. “As we begin 2025, we do so having achieved marked progress on the Sunset Limited on-time performance (OTP) investigation, a critically […]
NEW YORK — Traffic in Manhattan’s Central Business District was down 7.5% in the first week of congestion tolling compared to the same week a year ago, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said today (Monday, Jan. 13), while transit ridership was up. MTA preliminary data shows approximately 273,000 cars entered the tolling area, with a 39% […]
OTTAWA, Ontario — The Canadian proposal for a high-frequency, passenger-only rail corridor between Toronto and Quebec City, already moving at a languid pace, is facing new delays — and those could increase with the planned resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The Canadian Press reports that late last year, the federal government requested an extension […]
RIVIERA MAYA, Mexico — The government of Belize has asked that the Maya Train be extended into its country, according to Belize’s prime minister. The Riviera Maya News reports that Prime Minister Johnny Briceño said his county has made a formal request to Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, saying the move would strengthen regional ties and […]
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) has introduced legislation aimed at improving dining on Amtrak trains. H.R. 265, the Train Furtherance of Outstanding Onboard Dining act (Train FOOD Act) would require the company to report annual on progress toward implementing recommendations from the Food and Beverage Working Group created under the Infrastructure Investment and […]
HEBER CITY, Utah — Parents in Utah’s Wasatch County are seeking to overturn the decision to name a new high school to reflect the area’s railroading heritage. The Wasatch County School Board decided last month to name the new facility Iron Horse High School, with its athletic teams known as the Thunder, following the recommendation […]
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters has ratified a new five-year contract with CSX Transportation, the railroad has announced. “The ratification by the BMWED marks an important advancement in our ongoing collaboration with union leadership,” CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs said in a press release […]
GALESBURG, Ill. — The city of Galesburg has received a $25 million federal grant to fund the addition of rail lines at Galesburg Business Park, a 329-acre facility served by BNSF Railway. The addition of spur tracks will support construction of an intermodal agricultural export facility by the DeLong Co. that will cover about 100 […]
WASHINGTON — A new Sound Transit light rail station and rail improvements at the Port of Benton in Richland, Wash., will receive more than $34 million in U.S. Department of Transportation grants, four members of the Washington State Democratic congressional delegation have announced. They were among four projects receiving more than $56 million under the […]
SADIEVILLE, Ky. — Cleanup continues after 12 cars of a Norfolk Southern train derailed Thursday evening north of Lexington, Ky. WKYT-TV reports no injuries were reported. No cargo was spilled and no hazardous materials were involved. The Scott County Sheriff’s Office initially reported that State Route 32 would be closed because of the derailment, but […]
