WASHINGTON — Three railroads — the Belpre Industrial Parkersburg, South Kansas & Oklahoma, and Union County Industrial — have been named by the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association as winners of its 2025 Business Development Award. The award goes to railroads that show leadership and innovation with advancements in service, operations, and economic […]
WASHINGTON — U.S. weekly rail traffic remains ahead of 2024 levels, with a third straight week of gains greater than 5%, according to the Association of American Railroads. AAR stats for the week ending March 15, 2025, show volume of 503,473 carloads and intermodal units, a 6.2% increase from the same week a year ago. […]
DENVER — Although seasonal revenue round trips between Denver and Salt Lake City won’t debut until April 2026, Rocky Mountaineer single-level SilverLeaf equipment will make a six-day training round trip to the Utah capital next week. It will also be the tour train’s initial departure from Denver Union Station. Beginning this year, passengers will leave […]
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific and the National Conference of Firemen & Oilers have agreed to a tentative five-year contract, the railroad announced today (March 19, 2025). The contract to be sent to union members for ratification includes wage increases, additional vacation time, health and welfare benefits, and minor work-rule changes, the railroad said. Details […]
WASHINGTON—Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner announced his resignation today (March 19, 2025). No successor has been named. In a statement on Amtrak’s website, Gardner says, “I am stepping down as CEO to ensure that Amtrak continues to enjoy the full faith and confidence of this administration. I am so proud of what the Amtrak team has […]
MECHANICSVILLE, Va. — Global electrical technology firm ABB will collaborate with Stadler on its passenger trainset orders for Metra and Caltrans, ABB said this week. ABB will supply traction converters and batteries for the eight two-car battery-electric trainsets Metra ordered last year [see “Metra signs deal with Stadler US …,” Trains News Wire, Feb. 21, […]
NEW YORK — Escalating a fight between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Trump administration, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has threatened to withhold federal funding if the transit agency does not provide information on how it is addressing crime. In a letter to MTA CEO Janno Lieber, Duffy requested information on how the MTA’s New […]
CHICAGO — Improvements and 52 stations and replacement of 43 grade crossings are part of Metra’s planned capital projects during its 2025 construction season, the commuter rail operator announced Tuesday, March 18. Track, bridge, and signal work is also on the agenda. “We plan to take full advantage of the construction season to address projects […]
FORT WORTH, Texas — A rail authority combining four current or about-to-open commuter rail operations could be an option to help maintain service in North Texas in the face of potential funding cuts, a regional transit official has suggested According to news site Fort Worth Report, Michael Morris, transportation director of the North Central Texas […]
PITTSBURGH — Wabtec will acquire Dellner Couplers, manufacturer of equipment and services for passenger rail rolling stock, in a $960 million deal, the companies announced today (March 18, 2025). Dellner, based in Sweden, has an 84-year history in train connection systems, with about 100,000 couplers and 12,500 gangways installed worldwide. It has production, assembly, and […]
DENVER — Luxury train Rocky Mountaineer is transitioning to a new name in the U.S. — Canyon Spirit — as of 2026, when it will also expand its current route from Denver to Salt Lake City as part of a three-day excursion. The U.S. excursions have operated “Rockies to the Red Rocks” trips under the […]
CALGARY, Alberta — Members of United Steelworkers have ratified a new four-year contract with Canadian Pacific Kansas City, the railroad has announced. The union represents about 600 clerical and intermodal workers in Canada. The railroad did not release terms of the agreement. “We are pleased to have received strong support for another collective agreement, the […]
