BNSF thins chief dispatcher ranks

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway has eliminated 20 chief dispatching positions at its Network Operations Center. “We consolidated some duties to better reflect the flow of traffic on our network,” railroad spokesman Zak Andersen says. “Those affected will return to their previous roles as dispatchers.” Separately, BNSF is seeking to extend a crew district […]

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Amtrak president says current plan for East River Tunnel is best approach (updated)

Interior of railroad tunnel

WASHINGTON — Responding to criticism on a number of fronts, Amtrak President Roger Harris said the company’s plan for repairs to New York’s East River Tunnel is “the safest, most efficient, reliable, and timely to complete the full rehabilitation … making it the best use of taxpayer investments.” Harris, in a three-page letter dated May […]

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Senate bill would update key short line tax credit

Blue and yellow locomotives switching

WASHINGTON — In a companion move to earlier House legislation, two U.S. Senators have introduced a bill to update a key tax credit for short line infrastructure investment. Like the House version, the Senate bill — S.1532, introduced on Wednesday, April 30 — has bipartisan sponsorship. In this case, it comes from Sens. Mike Crapo […]

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Colorado rail safety bill advances

Orange locomotive and coal train

DENVER — Colorado has joined the lengthy list of states where lawmakers are seeking to address rail safety, but its legislators are taking a different approach. Senate Bill 162 would charge a fee to state’s Class I railroads and passenger operators to fund the hiring of safety inspectors by a state rail safety agency. It […]

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US weekly rail traffic still ahead of 2024 levels

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

​​WASHINGTON — Weekly U.S. rail volume remains ahead of 2024 levels — at least for now. Amid reports that import traffic from China is about to drop dramatically, with an almost-certain impact on intermodal volume, both carload and intermodal traffic remained above previous-year levels for the week ending April 26, 2025. Statistics from the Association […]

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New terminal serves New York City construction projects

Drone view of terminal for fly ash distribution in New York City

LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. — A new terminal to bring low-carbon cement alternatives to the New York City area, to be served by the New York & Atlantic Railroad, has opened in Queens, N.Y. The Blissville Rail Terminal, to be operated by Precision Terminal Logistics, celebrated its grand opening Tuesday, April 29. It will allow […]

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Former Caltrain official convicted of embezzling for construction of apartment at train station

Mission-style passenger station

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — A former Caltrain official has been convicted of embezzling public funds to build a secret apartment in the historic Burlingame, Calif., station used by the commuter rail operator. The San Jose Mercury News reports a jury found Joseph Navarro guilty of one felony count of misappropriation of public funds. The result […]

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Signalmen, Boilermakers unions ratify agreements with CSX

CSX logo

JACKSONVILLE — Members of the Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen have ratified a new five-year deal with CSX, the union and railroad announced today. CSX also announced ratification of an agreement with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, In Ship Builders, Forgers & Helpers, or IBB. The signalmen’s union said the agreement includes raises totaling 18.77% compounded […]

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CPKC reports higher first-quarter profits despite trade war

Single locomotive in CPKC paint scheme crossing bridge

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Kansas City reported higher first-quarter revenue and profits today as it carried more freight, but the railway also reduced its full-year outlook due to lingering uncertainty over tariffs and trade policy. “We’re undoubtedly off to a strong start in 2025 and we’re experiencing a strong start to the second quarter […]

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Union Pacific unveils Lincoln locomotive

Red, maroon, and gray locomotive in shop building

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Union Pacific has unveiled its Abraham Lincoln commemorative locomotive, honoring the president who signed the bill creating Union Pacific as part of the transcontinental railroad. “Union Pacific exists because President Abraham Lincoln wasn’t afraid to ask, ‘What’s Possible?’” Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena said at a ceremony in North Little […]

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Startup aims to capture carbon from diesel locomotive exhaust

Add carbon capture to the list of potential ways railroads could reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from their fleets of diesel-electric locomotives. Remora, a Michigan-based startup company, is developing a tender-based system that can capture carbon dioxide from locomotive exhaust, liquify the gas, and store it on board. The liquified carbon dioxide would be […]

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SunRail agency approves ‘Sunshine Corridor’ analysis

SunRail train with city skyline in background

ORLANDO, Fla. — The governing body overseeing Orlando’s SunRail commuter operation has authorized a study of the Sunshine Corridor project, which would bring SunRail to Orlando International Airport and provide the first portion of a Brightline extension to Tampa. At an April 24 meeting, the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission agreed to conduct a project […]

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