Track work triggers Amtrak cancellations in California, delays in North Carolina

Passenger train on single track next to palm trees and beach

Track maintenance projects requiring Amtrak cancellations or rescheduling are currently taking place or are forthcoming in the Southeast and West. Meanwhile, several long-distance trains continue to encounter a variety of problems as weather challenges subside. Southern California Most intercity and commuter trains traveling between San Diego and San Luis Obispo, Calif., will not operate next […]

Read More…

BNSF, TCU intermodal employees reach contract agreement

Freight train with orange locomotives leaves yard as commuter train approaches

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway has reached a tentative five-year agreement with members of the Transportation Communications Union Intermodal group, the railroad announced on Friday, Feb. 20. “This new tentative agreement reflects the vital role our TCU intermodal team members play in our operation,” BNSF CEO Katie Farmer said in a press release. “Open, […]

Read More…

Sound Transit ‘simulated service’ will add to light rail schedules

Portion of Sound Transit network map showing light rail segments that will see more trains beginning Feb. 14.

SEATTLE — Sound Transit will begin simulated service on its new light rail Crosslake Connection on Saturday, Feb. 14, giving passengers the chance to ride additional trains on the Link 1 Line between the International District/Chinatown station and Lynnwood City Center. Service on the 2 Line will also be extended until midnight between Redmond and […]

Read More…

Sound Transit announces three key executive hirings

Sound Transit logo

SEATTLE — Sound Transit has announced the addition of three executives,  including the return of a longtime staff member as deputy CEO. Returning in the deputy CEO role is Brooke Belman, who spent nearly two decades at the Seattle-area transit operator. Her prior term at Sound Transit included terms as interim CEO and deputy CEO […]

Read More…

Seattle-area transit prepares for Seahawks victory parade

Blue and white commuter train approaches, led by cab car

SEATTLE — Sound Transit will offer additional service on Wednesday, Feb. 11, for the city’s parade to mark the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl championship. Up to 1 million fans are expected for events including a ticketed celebration at the team’s stadium, Lumen Field, at 10 a.m., followed by a parade beginning at 11 a.m. from […]

Read More…

The ZigZag Valley Railroad in HO scale

A track plan for the zig zag valley model railroad layout

Facts and features Name: ZigZag Valley RR (ZZVR) Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 23′-6″ x 44′-5″ Prototype: BNSF Ry. and Mt. Hood RR Locale: Pacific Northwest Era: June 1998 Style: around-the-walls Mainline run: 460 feet Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: No. 6 main line, No. 5 yards Maximum grade: 2% Benchwork: a combination of studwall, L-girder, […]

Read More…

Ten Amtrak trains canceled in Midwest

CHICAGO — Amtrak has canceled several trains in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest today (Friday, Feb. 6), along with a second day of large-scale cancellations in the Northwest. Canceled today are Chicago-St. Louis Lincoln Service Nos. 300, 302, 305, and 307; Chicago-Pontiac, Mich., Wolverines Nos. 351, 352, 353, and 354; and Chicago-Quincy, Ill., Illinois Zephyrs […]

Read More…

Santa Fe No. 3415 rebuild enters final phase

steam train in field for charter

ABILENE, Kan. — Former Santa Fe 4-6-2 No. 3415 has entered the final phases of its Federal Railroad Administration 1,472-day inspection and rebuilding. The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad plans to have the locomotive operational by Labor Day 2027. “Santa Fe 3415 is an important icon for Abilene, the State of Kansas, and the storied […]

Read More…

Sound Transit sets March 28 for opening of light rail Crosslake Connection

Light rail train on bridge shared with highway

SEATTLE — Sound Transit’s light rail Crosslake Connection — the section of Line 2 across Lake Washington to complete the route to Redmond, Wash. — will open on March 28, the transit agency announced Friday. The section between International District/Chinatown and South Bellevue, which will connect Line 2 with the north-south Line 1, includes the […]

Read More…

Yakima Valley Trolley back in operation

Red and cream trolley car under wire coming around a curve.

YAKIMA, Wash. — At its regular meeting on Jan. 20, the Yakima City Council voted six to one in favor of renewing the Yakima Valley Trolley operating agreement for five years. The Council had postponed the decision at its Dec. 9, 2025, meeting, leaving the trolley association closed as of Jan. 1. In the time […]

Read More…

Winter weather forecast leads to several days of Amtrak cancellations

Train kicking up snow

CHICAGO — Amtrak has canceled several long-distance trains in and out of Chicago for multiple days because of a forecast of extreme cold weather. The regional Borealis is also affected. The first cancellations begin today (Wednesday, Jan. 21). The eastbound and westbound Empire Builder departures slated for today through Saturday, Jan. 24, have been canceled. […]

Read More…

Weather-related issues lead to cancellations for Coast Starlight, Empire Builder

Starlight_Chatsworth_Lassen

CHICAGO — Amtrak is dealing with several days of operating issues for a number of long-distance services, with the Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, and Sunset Limited all experiencing disruptions, most of them weather-related. Some of California’s Pacific Surfliner service also continues to be canceled because of weather-related issues. In California, the northbound Coast Starlight scheduled […]

Read More…