CN introduces two America 250 locomotives

Locomotive with eagle and flag design

HOMEWOOD, Ill. — Canadian National today unveiled two locomotives to launch its celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence, saying the units “represent the dual pillars of the American story: independence and innovation.” Locomotive No. 1776 features a “Screaming Eagle” design. “The ‘Screaming Eagle’ has deep historical roots,” the railway says in a press […]

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Class I railroad traffic: 2025 in review

WASHINGTON — Tariffs, geopolitical tensions, a persistently soft truck market, and an uncertain economy marked an eventful 2025, but U.S. rail traffic still managed to eke out a 1.5% gain last year. All six Class I railroads, in fact, posted year-over-year gains in overall volume. On paper, Canadian Pacific Kansas City recorded the biggest percentage […]

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Federal judge says administration can’t kill New York’s congestion tolling (updated)

Message board with words "congestion pricing" on New York street

NEW YORK — The Trump Administration’s effort to kill New York’s congestion tolling program — which helps fund Metropolitan Transportation Authority capital projects — has been ruled illegal by a federal judge. The government cannot revoke its previous approval of the program, U.S. District Court Judge Lewis L. Liman wrote in a 149-page ruling today […]

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CPKC sets grain-hauling record for second straight month

Grain train led by red locomotive

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Kansas City said today it has broken its February monthly record for transporting Canadian grain and grain products, moving 2.232 million metric tonnes last month. The prior record for February was set in February 2021. Last month’s 23,088 carloads also set a new February monthly record, beating the high also […]

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OmniTRAX debuts restored private car

Blue and white private car

WASHINGTON — OmniTRAX has restored a business car built in 1959 to operation, debuting the car with a trip to Washington for the annual Railroad Day on the Hill industry event on Wednesday, March 4. The car, christened as Savannah Sunrise by the company, was built by National Steel Car and has undergone a years-long […]

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CPKC becomes first Class I to unveil America 250 locomotive

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Kansas City took the wraps off its America 250 locomotive today, becoming the first Class I railroad to mark the nation’s semiquincentennial with a specially painted locomotive. “This locomotive, built and painted in Fort Worth, Texas, honors the remarkable and proud history of America as we prepare to mark the nation’s […]

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FTA announces availability of $686 million in grants for improvements of rail transit stations

Men looking at subway platform marked as a boarding area for those in wheelchairs or with strollers

WASHINGTON — The Federal Transit Administration has announced the availability of approximately $686 million in grant funding to modernize rail transit stations. Today’s announcement includes funding from the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years allocated under the Infrastructure and Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. That bill set aside $350 million each fiscal year between 2022 […]

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G&W’s North Carolina & Virginia to serve new steel manufacturing plant in North Carolina

Logo of the North Carolina & Virginia Railroad, a Genesee & Wyoming affiliate

AHOSKIE, N.C. — Genesee & Wyoming’s North Carolina & Virginia Railroad will service a new specialty steel manufacturing facility in Cofield, N.C., the company announced today. Once operational, the $785 million plant for US Forged Rings will manufacture forged rings, tubular components, and large-scale steel fabrications for use in construction, power generation, oil and gas, […]

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New York mayor proposes housing project above Sunnyside Yard in Queens

Aerial view of construction next to railroad yard

NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Mamdani has called for reviving a plan to build housing over Sunnyside Yard in Queens, the mostly Amtrak-owned facility that handles equipment for the national passenger carrier, NJ Transit, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Mamdani met last week with President Donald Trump and said Trump indicated support for the idea. […]

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New Berkshire CEO: BNSF needs to improve its profitability

Double-stack train with three orange-fronted locomotives

OMAHA, Neb. — BNSF Railway needs to close the operating-ratio gap with the other Class I railroads, new Berkshire Hathaway CEO Greg Abel said on Saturday in his first annual letter to shareholders. BNSF continues to perform well from a safety standpoint and has improved its efficiency and service, Abel wrote. “In 2025, shipments spent […]

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Audit of VIA Rail Canada calls for service improvements

Gray, yellow and black passenger train at station

OTTAWA, Ontario — VIA Rail Canada needs to improve service and to address some managerial practices, the Auditor General of Canada says in a report issued Friday (Feb. 27). But an audit generally found the company to be well run. The audit report’s assessment of VIA operations notes that the company owns just 3% of […]

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Tri-Rail names interim executive director

Tri-Rail_logo

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — The parent agency of Florida commuter operator Tri-Rail has named an interim executive director and launched the search to hire a permanent replacement. At a Friday meeting, the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority board named Diane Hernandez del Calvo, currently deputy executive director, to serve in the interim leadership role. Del […]

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