Florida’s SunRail moves to local funding

Commuter train at station

ORLANDO — The SunRail commuter service, funded and operated by Florida’s Department of Transportation since its opening in 2014, is locally funded as of Jan. 1. Spectrum News reports the local members of the governing Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission — Volusia, Seminole, Orange, and Osceola counties, and the city of Orlando — authorized the […]

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New transload terminal planned for Uinta Basin crude

Logo of Savage Services

SALT LAKE CITY — Multifaceted supply chain company Savage will develop a new transload facility for crude-by-rail movement from Utah’s Uintah Basin, the company announced Wednesday (Jan. 8, 2025). The terminal, near Wellington in Carbon County, will unload the basin’s wax crude from tanker trucks into two heated tanks, after which it will be located […]

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Border agency seeks to close security gaps on rail exports to Canada, Mexico

Train on bridge approaching small building covering tracks

WASHINGTON — Federal regulators will attempt to close security gaps on the U.S. rail system for exports destined for Mexico and Canada through a new rulemaking by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The proposed rule, posted Wednesday, Jan. 8., would require the electronic transmission of rail export cargo manifest data, including an initial filing 24 […]

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California rail plan calls for $310 billion program to expand electrification, passenger service

Schematic map of California plan for passenger rail service by 2050

SACRAMENTO — The state of California has unveiled a $310 billion plan to expand the state’s rail network to increase its share of passenger travel from 2% to 20% by 2050 through a network featuring extensive electrification and zero-emission operations. The new State Rail Plan was announced Jan. 7 by Gov. Gavin Newsom. It envisions […]

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Train dispatchers’ union ratifies new national contract

Logo of American Train Dispatchers Association

ARLINGTON, Va. — The American Train Dispatchers Association has ratified a new national agreement with the National Carriers Conference Committee, the national bargaining group for major U.S. railroads. The agreement announced today (Jan. 8, 2025) is the fourth to be ratified, following deals with the National Conference of Firemen & Oilers, Transportation Communications Union, and […]

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Columbia, S.C., receives federal funding for grade-separation project

Aerial view of downtown Columbia, S.C.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The city of Columbia will receive $204 million in federal funding for a downtown grade-crossing separation project, the Columbia Post & Courier reports. The newspaper was informed of the grant by U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.). The funding will be used to eliminate grade crossings on Assembly Street, a major downtown thoroughfare […]

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Exhibition of paintings, photos by longtime Trains contributor Ron Flanary is set

Painting of passenger train with steam locomotive

BIG STONE GAP, Va. – A  three-week exhibition of railroad watercolors and photographs by author and Trains contributor Ron Flanary is scheduled to begin Jan. 17 on the campus of Mountain Empire Community College. Titled “The Tracks of my Years,” the display of 30 pieces consists of about two-thirds photos and one-third paintings, all made […]

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Reading & Northern marks record excursion ridership in 2024, prepares for 2025 schedule

Steam locomotive being viewed by spectators

PORT CLINTON, PA. — Almost 340,000 riders took part in Reading & Northern excursions in 2024, surpassing the previous mark of more than 322,000 in 2023 by 5%, the railroad has announced. The year included the opening of the new Nesquehoning Regional Railroad Station on the railroad’s Nesquehoning campus, which includes the railroad’s new shops […]

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Ohio man sentenced to two years in prison for actions that could have derailed trains

CLEVELAND — A Cleveland man arrested in 2023 for allegedly attempting to derail trains has been sentenced to two years in federal prison and three years of probation. Joseph Findley, 43, had previously pleaded guilty to four counts of violence against railroad carriers. He was arrested in October 2023 after allegedly wedging spikes into switches […]

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Amtrak announces more storm cancellations, West Coast disruptions for track work (additional update)

Passenger train on curve

WASHINGTON — Amtrak has announced a new set of weather-related train cancellations, this time in connection with a storm expected to hit Texas and the South beginning tonight (Wednesday, Jan. 8). A relatively small number of trains today through Friday, Jan. 10, are affected. On the Pacific Coast, Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner cancellations are […]

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San Diego suburb seeks to delay Surf Line bridge project

Commuter train with cab car leading on wooden railroad bridge

DEL MAR, Calif. — The city council in the coastal suburb of Del Mar has voted to ask San Diego’s regional planning agency to postpone construction of a new railroad bridge on the Surf Line route to Orange County, saying the bridge project might not be necessary depending on the route of a proposed tunnel […]

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