California legislators seek federal transit funding for 2028 Olympics, Paralympics

LA Metro light rail train on curving bridge

WASHINGTON — Thirty-six members of California’s congressional delegation have asked the White House for some $2 billion in transit funding to support the 2028 Olympic and Paralymic Games. “Like you, we collectively want to ensure that we have a safe, secure, efficient, and accessible transportation network in the Los Angeles mega-region for this global sporting […]

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Union Pacific’s Vena says merger critics need to ‘quit looking backwards’

Freight train at curve on three-track main line

OMAHA, Neb. — In “The Tempest,” Shakespeare wrote, “what’s past is prologue,” meaning history sets the context for the present and dictates future events. Except, apparently, when it comes to transcontinental railroads. In an exclusive interview with Firecrown Media news site FreightWaves, Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena fired back at critics of his company’s blockbuster merger […]

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CSX-served transformer plant launches $200 million expansion

People in hard hats throwing shovels of dirt during groundbreaking ceremony

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — HD Hyundai Power Transformers USA, a CSX-served facility in Montgomery, on March 6 held groundbreaking for a $200 million plant expansion expected to be completed in mid-2027 and support 600 jobs. The expansion will allow HD-HPT to manufacture larger electrical transformers and increases the company’s total investment in Montgomery to $277 million […]

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Canadian union wins ruling requiring CN to reopen shop facilities, hire workers

Aerial view of shop complex

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — An arbitrator has ordered Canadian National to reinvest in its Transcona Wheel Shop, return work to in-house, and compensate affected workers, the Unifor union said today. The ruling stems from CN’s closure of the wheel shop, traction motor shop, and air brake shop at the yard in Winnipeg during the COVID-19 pandemic […]

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Hudson Tunnel work has resumed, but Gateway commission warns another stoppage is possible

Barges in river with Manhattan skylline as backdrop

NEW YORK — Work has resumed at all Hudson Tunnel Project sites, the Gateway Development Commission said today, but another halt could come in two to three months if the disbursement of federal funds does not continue. Additionally, two major contracts that were supposed to be awarded late in 2025 or early this year remain […]

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Charlotte council approves $37.9 million to advance commuter rail project

Map of rail line between Charlotte and Mount Mourne, N.C.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte City Council on Monday approved spending $37.9 million for the next stage of the Red Line commuter rail project, which will serve communities north of the city. The unanimous vote will pay for work by HDR Engineering to bring the project design to the 30% stage and prepare the project’s […]

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Opinion: Rail customers must make their voices heard

Trains Turntable: Commentary from CPKC CEO Keith Creel Over the last several months, the Class I railroads not named Union Pacific or Norfolk Southern have been accused of opposing the largest, most unnecessary proposed rail merger ever attempted because those railroads are afraid to compete or are selfishly afraid it will hurt their business. Those […]

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Progress Rail to convert 96 Norfolk Southern SD70Ms to AC-traction SD70ICCs

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern will continue to modernize its locomotive fleet in a deal announced on Monday with Progress Rail, which will convert 96 of the railroad’s SD70M-2 models to AC-traction SD70ICCs. Deliveries of the Tier 2 locomotives will start in 2027 and run through 2029. “By modernizing existing units, Norfolk Southern is taking a […]

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Ridgewood Infrastructure acquires Sierra Railroad Co.

Blue, white, and gold locomotive with American flag design on long hood

NEW YORK — Investment firm Ridgewood Infrastructure has acquired a controlling interest in Sierra Railroad Co., the California company including short line Sierra Northern Railway and locomotive builder RailPower. At the same time, with Ridgewood’s investment, Sierra is acquiring Central Valley Ag Transport, an agricultural transload facility owner and operator serving customers along Sierra’s rail […]

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Front Range Passenger Rail launches ‘name the train’ contest

Updated logo (as of 2024) for Front Range Passenger Rail

DENVER — Colorado residents can now vote to name the train for the Fort Collins-Pueblo rail passenger service planned by the Front Range Passenger Rail District. Name-the-train voting will be held through March 23 at this page of the Front Range Passenger Rail website, and can choose from four finalists selected by the district: Colorado […]

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What happened in the rail industry this week? March 6, 2026

Tunnel portals in construction area

In a continued effort to improve our coverage, we’re introducing a weekly feature for TrainsPRO. It will be a weekly recap, highlighting our most popular stories of the week, and also occasionally shining a spotlight on stories that you might have missed, but that our editorial team believes might develop into the next big story […]

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Report says each $1 billion in public transportation spending returns $5 billion in benefits

Two commuter trains meet at station on curve

WASHINGTON — A new independent economic study assessing the American Public Transportation Association’s recommendations for public transportation funding estimates that every $1 billion in such funding generates $5 billion in long-term economic value. This week’s report, Economic Impact of Public Transportation Investment, also says the funding supports tens of thousands of jobs nationwide. In February, […]

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