San Francisco Muni to replace floppy-disk train control system

Map of San Francisco Muni light rail system

SAN FRANCISCO — The floppy-disk era is nearing an end on the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. KGO-TV reports that the Muni board has approved a $212 million contract with Hitachi Rail for a train control system that will replace the more than 30-year-old system that still runs on outdated floppy-disk technology. The Automatic Train […]

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Portland, Ore., puts Union Station up for sale

Exterior of railroad station with prominent clock tower

PORTLAND, Ore. — Following years of failed efforts to come up with money for a local match to apply for federal grants to help fund needed upgrades, the city of Portland has renewed efforts to sell Union Station. Built in 1896 and on the National Register of Historic Places since 1975, the station’s signature clock […]

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FTA updates rules regarding safety oversight of rail transit

Federal Transit Administration logo

WASHINGTON — The Federal Transit Administration has finalized regulations giving state agencies overseeing rail transit more authority to conduct inspections and clarifying existing rules. An updated final rule regarding State Safety Oversight Agencies published on Friday, Oct. 18, allows those oversight agencies to conduct inspections of rail transit operations without advance notice, and requires them […]

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News Wire recommended reading: Railroads’ impact on classical music, and more

Passenger train on bridge

Trains News Wire offers the latest in an occasional series of links to articles elsewhere on the internet that you might find worthwhile (or amusing): — The BBC Music Magazine offers a different look at the impact of the Transcontinental Railroad: how it triggered an era that transformed classical music in the U.S. — It’s […]

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West Point Route passenger trains remembered

GP1703011

West Point Route passenger trains: All through October 2024, Classic Trains editors are celebrating the history and heritage of the West Point Route: Atlanta & West Point and Western Railway of Alabama.     Please enjoy this photo gallery of West Point Route passenger trains, originally published online in 2017. […]

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Service on Metro-North’s Waterbury Branch to resume Oct. 28

Group of people looking over washout on rail line

WATERBURY, Conn. — Train service on Metro-North’s Waterbury Branch, halted since the line suffered significant damage from flooding in August, will resume on Monday, Oct. 28, the Connecticut Department of Transportation has announced. Major washouts near Beacon Falls and Seymour, Conn., after a major storm Aug. 18 have prevented any train operations. During an examination […]

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South Shore opens new Hammond, Ind., station

Map of location of old and new South Shore Line stations in Hammond, Ind.

HAMMOND, Ind. — The South Shore Line is opening its new Hammond Gateway station as of today (Friday, Oct. 18) and closing the existing Hammond station. The relocation will accommodate the West Lake Corridor line between Hammond and Dyer, Ind., currently under construction. “We sincerely appreciate our passengers’ patience and cooperation through this stage of […]

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Cancellation of VIA’s Canadian leaves passengers to find own way home (corrected)

VIA Rail Canada logo

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Passengers on VIA Rail Canada’s Canadian who found their trip disrupted by a freight-train accident in Saskatchewan on Wednesday were eventually taken to Winnipeg, but left to find their own way home from there, the CBC reports. The collision between a CN freight train and a farm tractor killed the driver of […]

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Mexican legislation seeks to reverse privatization of rail industry

Three trains at station

MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s Congress has passed legislation which would reverse railroad privatization laws enacted in the 1990s and give the government more control over rail operations, particularly in terms of passenger rail. Mexico News Daily reports the Senate passed the bill 123-0 on Wednesday. Because the legislation is a constitutional reform, it still must […]

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VIA Venture slowdown limited to CN-maintained track: Analysis

Gray, yellow and black passenger train at station

MONTREAL — When safety is on the table, there can be no debate about measures taken to ensure it. So when Canadian National informed VIA Rail Canada last Friday that all Venture trainsets of less than 32 axles could not operate at track speed across highway crossings equipped with warning devices triggered by Grade Crossing […]

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Renfe Alvia high-speed train ride in Spain

Join Trains.com staff member Sean Kirby as he rides onboard a Renfe Alvia high-speed train for the first leg of his return trip from Spain. Under the first light of the day, you’ll venture with Sean to the modern Segovia Guiomar station, 40 miles north of Madrid. After scanning your ticket, you’ll descend to the […]

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CN train derails in Saskatchewan after striking tractor

Canadian National logo

GERARD, Saskatchewan — A Canadian National intermodal train has derailed near the Manitoba border after striking a farm tractor, the Canadian Press reports. The incident occurred this afternoon (Oct. 16) at a grade crossing near Gerald, Sask. The driver of the tractor was killed, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, while a CN spokeswoman […]

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