Arizona county decision puts hurdle in front of BNSF’s planned Phoenix terminal

PHOENIX — BNSF Railway’s plan to build a massive $3.2 billion intermodal terminal and logistics center near Phoenix was dealt a blow on Wednesday when the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously rejected the railroad’s request for a zoning change. The decision does not kill the project. But it will require BNSF to do additional […]

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CPKC reaches 13 tentative agreements with unions in the U.S.

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Kansas City today said it has reached 13 new tentative collective agreements with unions in the United States representing carmen, hostlers, laborers, clerks, and maintenance workers, as well as mechanical and engineering supervisor employees. Six tentative five-year collective agreements have been reached with the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen representing employees […]

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BNSF requests new delay on Arizona logistics project

Plan for BNSF logistics center in Arizona

PHOENIX — BNSF Railway has again asked the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to delay consideration of its planned logistics development in Wittmann, Ariz., this time until Feb. 26, 2026. The board had been scheduled to consider the matter — which faces significant opposition from nearby communities — at a meeting today (Nov. 5, 2025). […]

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SEPTA faces new federal order on trolley safety

White trolley car going uphill on street

WASHINGTON — Adding to the ongoing issues of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, the Federal Transit Administration has issued an emergency order requiring inspection of the catenary system of SEPTA’s 40-mile trolley network by this Friday, FTA Administrator Marc Molinaro said at a news conference today (Nov. 4, 2025). The press conference by Transportation Secretary […]

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Norfolk Southern, Georgia Tech develop AI-powered wheel defect detector

ATLANTA — When a broken wheel caused a derailment on Norfolk Southern — just a mile after NS received the train through interchange — it prompted the railroad to begin tinkering with new ways to detect wheel defects. “We as a leadership team said there’s got to be a better way,” Chief Operating Officer John […]

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NTSB releases preliminary report on SEPTA trolley incident

Image of interior of trolley car damaged when portions of pantograph penetrated roof.

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board will look at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s catenary inspection and maintenance process as part of its ongoing investigation into a Sept. 25, 2025, incident in which a pantograph separated from a SEPTA trolley, injuring the operator and three passengers. The NTSB released its preliminary report into the […]

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BNSF adds two railroads to its Shortline Select program

Two green diesel locomotives with freight train

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway has added two new railroads — Northern Lines Railway and Columbia Basin Railroad — to its Shortline Select program. Shortline Select is designed to improve interchanges and service while deepening the commercial ties between the Class I and its short line connections. Northern Lines Railway, owned by Anacostia Rail […]

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BLET reaches tentative national agreement with rail carriers group

Logo of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has reached a tentative five-year agreement with freight railroads represented by the National Carriers’ Conference Committee, the union has announced. The agreement will cover 11,000 BLET members at BNSF Railway, Norfolk Southern, Canadian National, and some smaller railroads. It follows the pattern agreed to by […]

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Grupo Mexico’s quarterly profits rise on intermodal, auto, and ag growth

Freight train with orange and yellow locomotives passes through passenger station

MEXICO CITY — Grupo Mexico’s transportation division — which includes Ferromex, Ferrosur, Florida East Coast Railway, and Texas Pacifico — reported higher third-quarter operating income last week as revenue grew despite flat volume. The transportation division’s operating income grew 9%, to $235 million, as revenue increased 8.9%, to $871 million. The railroads’ combined operating ratio […]

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BNSF third-quarter profits rise on higher rates, improved operations

BNSF freight train with plam trees lining the track

OMAHA, Neb. — BNSF Railway’s third-quarter profits rose primarily due to higher rates and more efficient operations, corporate parent Berkshire Hathaway reported on Saturday. Pre-tax income rose 3.6%, to $1.91 billion, on flat revenue of $5.88 billion. Net income grew 4.8%, to $1.44 billion. The railway’s operating ratio was 64.1%, a 1-point improvement over a […]

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Explosion of maintenance-of-way equipment in Delaware leads to significant damage

Firemen work near smoking remains of maintenance-of-way machinery destroyed by explosion

BEAR, Del. — No one was injured, but several structures sustained damage following the explosion of a propane tank on  Delmarva Central Railroad maintenance equipment Saturday afternoon (Nov. 1, 2025). Officials say a 500-pound propane tank exploded about 12:30 p.m. because of a malfunction “during the heating process of the tracks,” Robert Fox, deputy chief […]

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