Federal court rejects Chicago suburbs’ bid to review CPKC merger

People walk across railroad tracks as trains meet in background

WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court has turned down a suit by a group of Chicago suburbs seeking review of the Surface Transportation Board decision approving the Canadian Pacific Kansas City merger. In a decision announced today (June 20, 2025), the U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia District denied the request by the […]

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Metra, CTA, Pace offer new Regional Day Pass

Commuter train at station

CHICAGO — The Chicago area’s three transit operators have unveiled a new Regional Day Pass, good for unlimited rides in a single day on Metra, the Chicago Transit Authority, and Pace buses. The new pass is available only on the newest version of the Ventra smartphone app, beginning today (June 20, 2025). The pass is […]

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News photo: Latest Metro-North heritage unit makes revenue debut

Silver and blue locomotive on commuter train

NEW YORK — Metro-North’s latest heritage unit, P32AC-DM No. 203, made its debut in commuter operation today (June 20, 2025), powering Hudson Line train No. 734, a 7:58 a.m. departure from Croton-Harmon to Grand Central Terminal. As has been the case with the debut of other heritage locomotives, No. 203 led the inbound train, rather […]

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Falcon Premium, joint CN-UP-Ferromex intermodal service, receives Mexican award

MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway has announced Falcon Premium intermodal service it operates with Union Pacific and Grupo Mexico’s Ferromex has received the Silver Container (Contenedor de Plata) award from the Asociación Mexicana de Transporte Intermodal. The organization is Mexico’s leading intermodal transport association, promoting best practices in cross-border logistics. The award recognizes outstanding achievements […]

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New York rail museum closed by flooding

Mudslide along railroad tracks

RUSH, N.Y. — The Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum will be closed until Aug. 2 as a result of significant flood damage suffered on June 18, the museum has announced. Storms brought more than 7 inches of rain in a three-hour period, causing widespread damage throughout New York’s Monroe County. Museum damage included significant […]

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Government to conduct long-term study of health impact of East Palestine derailment

Black cloud of smoke above town

WASHINGTON — The National Institutes of Health has launched a five-year, $10 million program to study and address long-term health impacts of the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment in 2023. The NIH said the study was being undertaken at the urging of Vice President JD Vance, an Ohio senator at the time of the incident. “This […]

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Storm damage halts some lines for NJ Transit, MARC (second update)

Portion of NJ Transit system map

Some NJ Transit rail has been disrupted because of storm damage, the operator has announced. Maryland’s MARC is also experiencing major storm-related disruptions, with one line suspended and two operating on reduced schedules. On NJ Transit, service on the North Jersey Coast Line has been suspended since Thursday night (June 19) and will remain halted […]

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Senate bill aims to improve rail service by addressing common carrier obligation (updated)

Freight train with blue and yellow locomotives on three-track line surrounded by trees

WASHINGTON — Two U.S. Senators have reintroduced a bill they say is designed to address the cost and reliability of freight railroad service by better defining railroads’ common carrier obligation. The “Reliable Rail Service Act of 2025” is sponsored by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.). It would amend the requirement to serve […]

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Former Southern, NS diesel now playing major role for Pennsylvania’s Colebrookdale Railroad

High-nose diesel with ornate blue, black, white, and gold paint scheme

BOYERTOWN, Pa. — A former Southern Railway and Norfolk Southern diesel has found a new home — and a new look — on Pennsylvania’s Colebrookdale Railroad. High-nose GP38-2 No. 5128, built by EMD in 1974, has been acquired by the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust thanks to a gift from Scott and Susan Bentley, and now […]

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South Shore opens new downtown Michigan City station

Illustration showing aerial view of project including new train station

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. — The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District on Wednesday (June 18) held the official grand opening for the South Shore Line’s new 11th Street Station in Michigan City, part of a larger development project at the downtown site. Platforms at the station opened early last year, but Wednesday’s event marked the opening […]

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US rail traffic down for second straight week

Weekly table showing U.S. carload rail traffic by commodity type, plus overall intermodal volume

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic was down for a second straight week compared to 2024. The first back-to-back weeks of decline this year come after 15 straight weeks ahead of 2024 levels. According to the Association of American Railroads, traffic for the week ending June 14, 2025, included 485,810 carloads and intermodal units, down 1.5% […]

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Senate hearing probes for industry priorities: Analysis

Man speaking in hearing with name plate ("Mr. Gilberson") in foreground

WASHINGTON — Calls for regulations allowing automated track inspections and increased grant funding to help short lines were among topics discussed today (June 18) in a U.S. Senate subcommittee meeting on the rail industry. The hearing by the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety, “On the Right Track: Modernizing America’s Rail,” sets the […]

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