Supreme Court rules in favor of Uinta Basin Railway backers (updated)

WASHINGTON – The Surface Transportation Board’s environmental review of the proposed Uinta Basin Railway was proper, the U.S. Supreme Court said today in an 8-0 decision that overturns a lower court’s order that blocked construction of the 88-mile Utah railroad. The STB in December 2021 approved the project, noting that the transportation merits of the […]

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BNSF prepares for container surge

Intermodal train passing small station

While U.S. logistics providers wait out the post-trade war lull in import shipments, BNSF Railway is setting up its network to handle an expected surge following a pause in tariffs between China and the United States. “I guess probably the most overused words in logistics is this ‘air pocket’ that hit us the last couple […]

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Texas grade-crossing separation program becomes law

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbot has signed into a law a bill creating funding to improve safety at railroad grade crossings, legislation sparked by the death of a Houston high school student late last year. Senate Bill 1555 passed the house by a 101-16 vote earlier this month, after passing the Senate by […]

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Illinois lawmakers’ last-minute bill would restructure Chicago-area transit, but not address funding crisis

Commuter train with Chicago skyline in background

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois lawmakers have introduced a bill to restructure Chicago area transit agencies — but the bill does not address the $770 million shortfall that could lead to significant cuts in service. Streetsblog Chicago reports that on Wednesday, an existing bill regarding rules for bicyclists at stop signs, has, through amendment, been replaced […]

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US rail traffic ekes out another week of gains over 2024

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

WASHINGTON — U.S. weekly rail traffic remained above 2024 levels for the week ending May 24 — but barely. According to statistics from the Association of American Railroads, traffic for the week was 488,709 carloads and intermodal units, a 0.7% gain over the same week in 2024. It marked the 13th consecutive week where traffic […]

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Nevada State Railroad Museum to host ‘Star Spangled Steam Up’

Steam locomotive operating on a summer day

CARSON CITY, Nev. — The Nevada State Railroad Museum will be hosting its “Star Spangled Steam Up” during the Fourth of July weekend, July 3-6, 2025. The headliner during the event will be a guest appearance by Nevada County Narrow Gauge 2-6-0 No. 5, Tahoe, returning to the museum for the first time since the 2022 […]

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OmniTRAX named operator of the Port Muskogee Railroad

MUSKOGEE, Okla. — OmniTRAX has added a 30th railroad to its stable, the 8.1-mile Port Muskogee Railroad in the Sooner State. The short line holding company and Port Muskogee today announced that they have signed a railroad facilities operating agreement covering the inland port’s rail network. “OmniTRAX is excited to expand our Oklahoma rail service […]

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Opposition to high-frequency concept led to VIA affiliate’s shift to high speed rail

Logo of Canadian high speed company Alto

MONTREAL — A VIA Rail Canada subsidiary paid more than Ca$330,000 to a marketing firm to rebrand itself as part of the effort to shift its high-frequency rail project to high speed rail after discovering little support for the original concept, the Canadian Press reports. Documents obtained by the news service show that the VIA […]

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Lawsuit says Union Pacific seeks to more than double Metra access fees

Commuter train and freight train meet on three-track main line

CHICAGO — Union Pacific is seeking to nearly double track access fees for Metra commuter trains on lines in the Chicago area, according to a federal lawsuit. The costs would more than double when other fees are included. In an amended complaint filed Tuesday in a lawsuit filed earlier this year, Metra says it had […]

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Meeting set on latest options to reroute rail line through Del Mar, Calif.

Passenger train passing construction equipment along beach

SAN DIEGO — The effort to relocate the Surf Line rail route through Del Mar, Calif. — or not — is once again soliciting public comment. The San Diego Association of Governments will host a meeting on the latest set of proposals for line relocation — including one option that would leave the route where […]

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Maine legislators kill proposal seeking study of Portland-Orono passenger service

Maine state seal

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine’s House of Representatives has killed a proposal to study passenger service between Portland and Orono, Maine, the second straight year that the legislature has opted not to study a potential expansion. LD 487 — presented in both houses by a mix of Democratic and Republican sponsors — called for the Northern […]

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Federal judge issues temporary restraining order preserving New York congestion pricing

Message board with words "congestion pricing" on New York street

NEW YORK — The federal government’s efforts to stop New York’s congestion tolling program suffered a setback today (Tuesday, May 27) as a U.S. District Court judge issued a temporary restraining order, allowing the program to continue through at least June 9. Judge Lewis Liman ruled that the U.S. Department of Transportation could not withhold […]

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