Tornado derails cars of BNSF train in North Dakota

BNSF Railway logo

STEELE, N.D. — More than 40 cars of a stopped BNSF Railway train were derailed when struck by a tornado near Steele, N.D., on Wednesday night. A BNSF spokeswoman told KFYR-TV that 43 cars empty coal gondolas were derailed at approximately 8:19 p.m. The train had been stopped because of reported tornado activity in the […]

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Full schedule released for Big Boy’s fall ‘Heartland’ tour

Steam locomotive at night

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Union Pacific has released the full schedule for the 10-state “Heartland of America” tour by Big Boy No. 4014, to begin Aug. 28 in Cheyenne and return there Oct. 23. As previously announced, public display events are planned for Sunday, Sept. 8, in Rochelle, lll.; Sunday, Oct. 6, in Houston; and Thursday […]

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NTSB releases preliminary report on July CPKC hazardous-material derailment in North Dakota

Aerial view of burning railcars at derailment

WASHINGTON — A CPKC freight train was traveling about 45 mph when 29 cars derailed on July 5 near Bordulac, N.D., leading to a fire involving methanol and anhydrous ammonia, the National Transportation Safety Board said in the preliminary investigation report released today (Thursday, Aug. 1). The fire burned for two days, leading to a […]

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Southwest Chief again disrupted by freight derailment (updated)

Amtrak logo.

Amtrak’s Southwest Chief is once again facing cancellations on the central portion of its route because of a freight train derailment, according to the Amtrak Alerts feed on X.com. The westbound train that departed Chicago today will be canceled between Kansas City and Albuquerque, with no alternate transportation provided, while the eastbound train that left […]

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Federal grant helps fund rebuilding of Texas branch line

Map detail of rail lines in eastern Texas.

HENDERSON, Texas — A $15 million project to rebuild a former Union Pacific branch line has been announced by the line’s owner, the Rusk County Rural Rail District, and the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority. The Henderson-Overton Branch, an approximately 15-mile line connecting its two namesake communities, has been owned by the district since […]

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Test runs begin on DART Silver Line

Silver and yellow diesel multiple unit trainsets

DALLAS — Dallas Area Rapid Transit has begun running test trains on a portion of the Silver Line, the 26-mile, 10-station commuter rail line that will connect Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Dallas and six of its northern suburbs: Grapevine, Coppell, Carrollton, Addison, Richardson, and Plano. Trains began running Monday, July 22, on the eastern […]

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BNSF derailment in Kansas leads to Southwest Chief cancellations

Amtrak logo.

GARDEN CITY, Kansas — An apparently minor BNSF Railway derailment has led to cancellations of Amtrak’s Southwest Chief. Images on the KSNW-TV website show a small number of covered hoppers, perhaps as few as a half-dozen, involved in the derailment. The viewers who provided the photos said the incident was 15 to 20 miles east […]

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DART restores light rail service in central Dallas (updated)

Light-rail train at underground station

DALLAS — Dallas Area Rapid Transit restored light rail service in Dallas’ central business district at midday today (July 24), beating an estimate calling for service to resume this evening. DART resumed rail service at 1 p.m., continuing the shuttle bus service that had been in place to serve six stations until 2 p.m. while […]

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Dallas light rail repairs to take until at least Wednesday evening

Light-rail vehicle and Amtrak train side by side

DALLAS — Repairs to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit light rail system in downtown Dallas will continue until at least the evening of Wednesday, July 24, following a Sunday morning accident, the transit agency said Monday. The light rail system lost power the central business district after a Dallas Fire Rescue truck skidded off an […]

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BNSF police believe teen intentionally caused Nebraska derailment

BNSF Railway logo

BENNET, Neb. — BNSF Railway Police believe a 17-year-old Nebraska boy intentionally caused a derailment earlier this year, recording it and posting it on line. The Lincoln Journal Star reports the BNSF police have referred the boy to the Lancaster County Attorney’s Office for prosecution of felony criminal mischief as a result of the April […]

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Dallas light rail service disrupted after fire truck crashes off elevated highway onto tracks (updated)

Light-rail train at underground station

DALLAS — Dallas Area Rapid Transit rail service was disrupted today (Sunday, July 21) after a Dallas Fire Rescue truck skidded off a rain-slick elevated section of highway onto the light-rail line below, the Dallas Morning News reports. The incident occurred shortly after 6 a.m. on Interstate 345 near South Good Latimer Expressway. Four firefighters […]

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Carloads of corn derail on Union Pacific in Texas

Union Pacific logo without slogan. UP Bailey Yard explosion appear to be accidental.

ABILENE, Texas — Thirty-two cars of a Union Pacific train derailed today (Sunday, July 14) on the west side of Abilene, KTAB/KRBC-TV reports. The derailment was reported to Abilene police shortly after 10 a.m. No injuries were reported, and no hazardous materials were involved. A Union Pacific representative told the station the railcars involved were […]

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