Fifteen injured in collision of Brightline train, fire truck (updated and corrected)

Image of fire truck on grade crossing from locomotive

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — Fifteen people were injured when a Brightline train hit a fire truck in downtown Delray Beach today (Dec. 28, 2024), splitting the ladder truck into two parts. The collision occurred about 10:45 a.m. While initial reports placed it near East Atlantic Avenue — the main thoroughfare through downtown — and Railroad […]

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News Wire top stories of 2024, No. 3: Brightline West

Line of people with hammers at table with rail and spikees

It was described at groundbreaking as the start of the United States high-speed rail industry. But arguably, the Brightline West project is the best hope for establishing true U.S. high speed rail. The April 22, 2024, groundbreaking ceremony in Las Vegas — on a lot south of the Las Vegas strip, next to Interstate 15, […]

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CN sets open house on proposed Chicago Logistics Hub

Map of proposed CN intermodal facility southwest of Chicago

CHANNAHON, Ill. — Canadian National has scheduled an open house for Jan. 14 at Minooka High School South Campus in Channahon to discuss its proposed Chicago Logistics Hub intermodal facility, an approximately 900-acre facility in Channahon and unincorporated land adjacent to Minooka. CN describes the event, from 4-7 p.m. as an open forum, with no […]

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Fifteen injured in collision of Brightline train, fire truck (updated)

Image of fire truck on grade crossing from locomotive

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — Fifteen people were injured when a Brightline train hit a fire truck in downtown Delray Beach today (Dec. 28, 2024), splitting the ladder truck into two parts. The collision occurred about 10:45 a.m. near East Atlantic and Railroad avenues in the South Florida community; Atlantic Avenue is the main thoroughfare through […]

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First winter trip highlights Reading & Northern ‘Iron Horse Rambles’ schedule

Passenger train with two steam locomotives rounds sharp curve

PORT CLINTON, Pa. — The first winter “Iron Horse Ramble” will provide an early start to the 2025 steam excursion schedule for the Reading & Northern, the railroad announced today (Dec. 28, 2024). In all, four steam excursions are planned, with tickets on sale at this Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, at 9 a.m. The season […]

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Hitachi sues Honolulu, transit agency over Skyline rail project

Aerial view of light rail train

HONOLULU — Hitachi Rail is suing the city of Honolulu and the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation over cost overruns on the Skyline light rail project. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports Hitachi Rail Honolulu JV, the project’s principal contractor, is suing for more than $324 million, claiming breach of contract and unjust enrichment over the nearly […]

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CN coal train derails in southern Illinois

Canadian National logo

THOMPSONVILLE, Ill. — Nineteen cars of a Canadian National coal train derailed Friday near Thompsonville in Southern Illinois, WPSD-TV reports. No injuries were reported. Brian Burgess, director of the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency, told the station that the derailment occurred in a remote area of the county. “It’s just a slip off the track […]

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News Wire top stories of 2024, No. 4: Borealis’ success suggests roadmap for more service

Passenger train in snow

As the Chicago-St. Paul, Minn., Borealis surpassed 100,000 riders a little over five months after its May 21, 2024, debut, the train far exceeded the performance that its state sponsors, passenger rail advocates, and Amtrak had suggested would occur. In fact, Borealis’ origins and public acceptance contain elements that should be weighed heavily when decisions […]

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Amtrak boarding error at Washington Union Station strands large number of passengers

People standing in line in hallway of railroad station

WASHINGTON — An Amtrak train left a large number of passengers behind when it departed Washington Union Station for New York on Dec. 26, the Washington Post reports, reportedly after doors to the station platform were never opened to allow customers to board. A passenger posted on the social network Reddit that passengers received a […]

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MTA commuter railroads introduce new weekend discounts

A Metro-North train heads north through Westport, Conn

NEW YORK — The Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad are introducing a new weekend discount program for those with monthly tickets as part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s effort to encourage more public transit ridership in conjunction with the start of Manhattan’s congestion pricing program. The “Winter Weekend” program allows passholders to travel […]

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UP says Sunset Limited timekeeping has improved, but Amtrak won’t adjust schedules to meet federal standards

WASHINGTON – Union Pacific has resolved the broader service problems that prompted Amtrak’s complaint about the tardy performance of the Sunset Limited in the 12 months ending on Sept. 30, 2022, the freight railroad told federal regulators this week. UP, which hosts the Sunset Limited for 1,770 miles of its 1,994-mile route between New Orleans […]

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Class I railroads see red over Amtrak’s views on passenger train preference

Three trains — one freight, two passengers — meet on triple-track main line.

WASHINGTON — Class I railroads this week disagreed with Amtrak’s contention that its passenger trains should enjoy absolute and unlimited priority over freight trains. Amtrak, as part of its complaint over Union Pacific’s handling of the Sunset Limited, told the Surface Transportation Board earlier this year that every individual dispatching decision must result in the […]

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