Amtrak delays East River Tunnel project by two weeks

Interior of railroad tunnel

Amtrak will delay the start of the construction on the East River Tunnel Rehabilitation project by two weeks after learning the Long Island Rail Road’s (LIRR) East-Bound reroute project is delayed. The three-year project calls for repairing two of the tunnel’s four tubes, which were damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, with one tube removed […]

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Proposed legislation would ease California environmental regulations

Three red and yellow diesel locomotives exit a tunnel and round a curve in hilly country

On May 5, Congressmen John Moolenaar (R-MI), Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and Craig Goldman (R-TX) introduced the Lifting Overburdensome Commerce Obstructions and Motives Act (LOCOMOTIVES Act), which aims to limit California’s ability to place “unsustainable” regulations on trains crossing into the state.  The legislation would revise Section 209 of the Clean Air Act to close a […]

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Railroad Day on the Hill under way

US Capitol building

Today, 327 representatives from Class Is, short lines, and railroad suppliers, contractors and associations will meet with more than 300 congressional offices during the annual Railroad Day on Capitol Hill.   The annual event has continued for more than 25 years. This year, lobbyists will call on Congress to:  Maintain and extend tax policies that incentivize […]

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USDOT approves $3.2 billion for infrastructure projects

A side view of a train passing a rural grade crossing with railroad crossing sign, a lowered gate, and flashing red warning lights

The U.S. Department of Transportation signed off on 180 infrastructure grants totaling more than $3.2 billion today, jumpstarting a series of projects aimed at improving railroads, ports, highways, airports and more. These grants had been previously announced and have now moved to the agreement stage. The Federal Railroad Administration will receive funding for several initiatives, […]

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Hinrichs urges CSX employees to help the railroad recover from congestion

Train on bridge along river

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs sought to rally the troops today as the railroad continues to battle congestion that began in the weeks before a key Baltimore tunnel was closed on Feb. 1 for a long-awaited clearance project. In a bulletin to employees, Hinrichs touted the railroad’s industry-leading operational and financial performance record […]

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FreightCar America Q1 net better than half of revenue

Logo of FreightCar America

CHICAGO — FreightCar America said net income totaled $50.4 million in the first quarter while revenue of $96.3 million fell 40.2% from the year-ago period. The Chicago-based railcar builder (NASDAQ: RAIL) delivered 710 units in the quarter ended March 31, down from 1,223 units in the previous-year quarter. Adjusted net income was $1.6 million, or 5 […]

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Norfolk Southern and Port of Virginia team up for green shipping corridor

NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk Southern and the Port of Virginia have launched a RailGreen Corridor that offers intermodal customers a verified way to reduce supply chain emissions. NS provides daily intermodal service in the corridor linking Norfolk Harbor with the Virginia Inland Port (VIP) in Front Royal, Va. Freight moving along this lane is now […]

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National Train Day events going strong without Amtrak’s participation

WASHINGTON — Almost a decade after Amtrak cancelled “National Train Day,” an outreach promotion launched in 2008 designed to familiarize potential customers with where its passenger trains go, organizations around the U.S. continue to use May 10 as a tentpole around which to generate interest. The date commemorates completion of the first transcontinental railroad at […]

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Colorado, Union Pacific sign agreements on Moffat Tunnel, passenger operations

Yellow locomotive and passenger cars at tunnel.

DENVER — The state of Colorado and Union Pacific on Monday signed an agreement extending the railroad’s lease of Moffat Tunnel for 25 years, a deal that also allows for expanded passenger service on the route through the Rockies as soon as 2026. The 99-year lease on the state-owned tunnel signed was scheduled to expire […]

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Drive-on piggyback service through Switzerland to end this year

Electric locomotive on train with sleeping car and trucks on flatcars

OLTEN, Switzerland — The Rolling Highway, a drive-on, drive-off piggyback service carrying tractors and trailers through the Swiss Alps, will shut down at the end of 2025, operator RAlpin has announced. The company cited disruptions to the rail network — particularly the troubled German network — as leading to the shutdown. RAlpin has provided transport […]

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Infrastructure fund takes controlling interest in Cathcart Rail

Diesel locomotives with train on low bridge

WASHINGTON — Star America Infrastructure Fund GP II and Star America Rail Holdco have taken a controlling interest in Cathcart Rail, the Ohio-based company that operates a trio of short lines and is the largest independent operator of freight car repair shops in the U.S. Cathcart’s short lines include the 5-mile Bucyrus Industrial Railroad in […]

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STB chairman updates status of long-running proceedings

Surface Transportation Board logo

WASHINGTON — Surface Transportation Board Chairman Patrick Fuchs has updated status of several long-running board proceedings as part of his effort to expedite their resolution. “The agency continues to make significant progress concluding outstanding proceedings to resolve disputes, facilitate efficient market entry and exit, and ensure a sound national supply chain,” Fuchs said in a […]

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