Amtrak’s Borealis marks first anniversary, sparking dramatic boost to Chicago-St. Paul ridership

Passenger train on curve

CHICAGO — Amtrak says ridership on the St. Paul-Chicago route is up 227% since the introduction of the Borealis, which made its debut one year ago today, on May 21, 2024. Preliminary figures through the first 11 months of service show more than 205,800 riders on the Borealis, funded by the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, […]

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Arizona community opposed to BNSF project considers cityhood

Plan for BNSF logistics center in Arizona

WITTMANN, Ariz. — Residents of the unincorporated community of Wittmann are considering cityhood, in part as a response to BNSF’s plans for a $3.2 billion logistics center in the area. The Arizona Republic reports an incorporation drive is under way as a method of giving the area, about 35 miles northwest of Phoenix, more control […]

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MBTA board approves $9.8 billion capital spending plan

Commuter train at station platform

BOSTON — New equipment for the commuter rail fleet is among the major projects planned under the 2026-30 Capital Improvement Plan approved on Tuesday, May 20, by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority board. The plan, which calls for $9.8 billion in capital expenditures over the next five fiscal years, includes more than 660 projects, the […]

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NS resumes service to Asheville, N.C., and sets sights on restoring Old Fort Loops line

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern resumed service last month between Asheville, N.C., and points west for the first time since Hurricane Helene devastated the AS Line in September. The railroad’s rebuilding efforts now will turn to restoring its line between Old Fort and Grovestone, N.C., which includes the historic Old Fort Loops, NS said today. NS […]

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Mt. Rainier Scenic soldiers on after devastating fire

Remnants of wooden railroad bridge destroyed by fire

ELBE, Wash. — The last few weeks have been devastating for the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad. And yet, the heritage line about 45 miles south of Tacoma, Wash., is not only continuing to operate, but finding reasons to be positive. On the evening of April 30, the railroad’s largest wooden bridge — a 400-foot-long, 70-high […]

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Chandler joins Pinsly as vice president of engineering

Head and torso photo of man in suit

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Pinsly Railroad Co. has named Arthur Chandler as its new vice president of engineering. Chandler has spent half of his 20-year rail industry career with CSX and half with Genesee & Wyoming. He will oversee Pinsly’s annual capital spending program and lead key intiatives by the company’s engineering team. “I am thrilled […]

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CN continues work to expand capacity and fluidity in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Canadian National aims to squeeze as much capacity as possible out of the Port of Vancouver, where a combination of water, development, and terrain make it difficult to physically expand. CN CEO Tracy Robinson says coordination is essential to getting the most out of the British Columbia port, which last year […]

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Southern California international intermodal volume shows weekly decline

Reflecting the sting of steep tariffs levied on Chinese imports, eastbound international container volume out of Southern California declined to the lowest level in six months during the week ending May 18, according to data from RailState. The weekly volume was down 5% compared to the prior week and declined 10% compared to the four-week […]

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Model Railroader Tips & Tricks | Track selection and tracklaying insights

Track selection and tracklaying insights | Join David, as he first surveys a wide array of flexible trackwork offerings, and then shares helpful tips and tricks for properly preparing and installing sections of flex track on your next model railroad! Be sure to find other helpful videos like this in the How-to category on Trains.com […]

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BNSF yardmasters ratify new contract

FORT WORTH, Texas — Members of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers–Transportation Division (Yardmasters) have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with BNSF Railway. The five-year agreement, covering more than 320 yardmasters at BNSF, follows the national pattern along with other work rule/process modernization. “This ratification is affirmation of all […]

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Minnesota legislature withdraws funding for Twin Cities-Duluth passenger service

Map of proposed route of Twin Cities-Duluth passenger train

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota legislators have passed a bill withdrawing $77 million in funding for development of Northern Lights Express passenger service between the Twin Cities and Duluth, Minn., with one lawmaker calling the proposed rail service “effectively dead.” Along with defunding the passenger project, House File 1143 also cut special education funds by […]

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NJ Transit, engineers reach deal to end strike (additional updates)

Commuter train on multi-track main line

NEWARK, N.J. — The strike by NJ Transit locomotive engineers is over, with service to resume on Tuesday, May 20. The transit agency and members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen announced this evening (Sunday, May 18) that they reached a tentative settlement to end the walkout that began on Friday. Neither side […]

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