First freight facilities for Mexico’s Maya Train approved

White and green passenger train

CANCÚN, Mexico — The Mexican government has approved construction of the first freight terminal for the Maya Train, which aims to begin operating freight service to go with its passenger trains in 2026. The Ministry of Environmental and Natural Resources (Semarnat) approved the environmental impact report for development of the 261-hectare (645-acre) site near Cancún, […]

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Pinsly to acquire Alabama short line from G&W

WASHINGTON — Pinsly Railroad Co. will acquire 36-mile Alabama short line Three Notch Railway from Genesee & Wyoming. The Georgiana & Andalusia Railroad will purchase the track and assume Three Notch’s lease arrangements with CSX. Three Notch Railway has operated the trackage since 2011. “However, the condition of the track deteriorated over time, and no […]

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Six Kentucky short line projects receive $7.5 million in state grants

Logo of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Commonwealth of Kentucky has awarded $7.5 million to six rail infrastructure projects under its Kentucky Short Line Infrastructure Preservation program. Three companies were recipients of the awards. The Paducah & Louisville Railway received three awards totaling more than $4.2 million; the R.J. Corman Railroad group received two awards worth more than […]

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BNSF to open OKC intermodal terminal for Hobby Lobby

BNSF Railway will open a pint-sized intermodal terminal in Oklahoma City in November to serve Hobby Lobby Stores. The 42-acre facility will streamline the craft retailer’s supply chain and allow loaded containers to move directly from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to its network of distribution centers in Oklahoma City, the companies […]

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Railway Supply Institute joins program to mark 200th anniversary of American railroading

Logo of Railway Supply Institute

BALTIMORE — The Railway Supply Institute has joined the B&O Railroad Museum as a partner in plans to mark the bicentennial of American railroading in 2027, the RSI and museum have announced. The RSI is the leading organization representing the rail supply industry, from small component manufacturers to locomotive and railcar builders and lessors. The […]

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Maryland DOT awards grants to five rail projects

Maryland Department of Transportation logo

HANOVER, Md. — The Maryland Department of Transportation has awarded $1.2 million in funding as part of the inaugural awards under its Freight Rail Grant Program launched this year. Five projects have received funding under MDOT’s Office of Rail and Intermodal Freight as part of a program to help preserve railroad corridors, support economic development, […]

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South Central Florida Express, U.S. Sugar promote Lawson

Logo of U.S. Sugar

CLEWISTON, Fla. — Short line South Central Florida Express and its parent company, U.S. Sugar, have named Bob Lawson vice president of South Central Florida Express and general manager of U.S. Sugar Railroad Operations. Lawson has served as general manager of harvest and railroad operations since 2011 and general manager of railroad operations since June […]

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Amtrak to livestream portion of upcoming board meeting

Amtrak logo.

WASHINGTON — Amtrak’s board of directors will once again provide live streaming of a portion of its next meeting, set for Wednesday, Sept. 10. The live stream is set for noon to 1 p.m. ET. Members of the public who wish to watch on Zoom must register in advance here. There will be no public […]

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Transport minister says ‘Made in Canada’ summit was productive

Head shot of woman with dark hair in black clothing

HAMILTON, Ontario — Canada’s Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, Chrystia Freeland, says the nation’s rail and shipbuilding interests agree they should use as much Canadian-made steel and aluminum as possible as part of their manufacturing efforts. Freeland convened a “Made in Canada” summit meeting in Hamilton on Tuesday including rail manufacturers, shipbuilders, and steel […]

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U.S. weekly rail traffic edges back above 2024 levels

Weekly table showing U.S. carload rail traffic by commodity type, plus overal intermodal traffic

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic improved slightly over 2024 levels for the week ending Aug. 30, 2025, according to the Association of American Railroads. Weekly rail traffic was 521,502 carloads and intermodal units, a 0.9% increase over the same week a year ago. That ended a two-week interlude in which traffic was slightly below previous-year […]

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STB grants Metra request for trackage rights on Union Pacific

Freight and commuter trains at commuter station platform

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has granted Metra’s request for terminal trackage rights on three Union Pacific lines in the Chicago area, addressing the commuter operator’s concerns that UP could otherwise choose to halt commuter service in the absence of an operating agreement. The ruling today [Sept. 3, 2025] ensures Metra service will continue […]

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FRA to train track inspectors to examine bridges

High speed train crossing bridge

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration will train more than 160 current federal and state track inspectors to handle bridge inspections, as well, the FRA has announced, increasing the number of inspectors who monitor bridges from the current figure of less than 10. The federal track inspectors, as well as those employed by states who […]

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