Brightline, FEC activate first new double-track segment this week

Red-and-yellow locomotives with fuel tender cross street

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — It’s only 13 miles of a 129-mile project, but this week’s planned activation of a second main track between West Palm Beach and Jupiter, Fla., represents tangible progress in Brightline’s northward expansion. Restoration of the second main on Florida East Coast’s line to Cocoa, Fla., helps establish a fluid, 110-mph-capable […]

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Wabtec, Genesee & Wyoming, Carnegie Mellon form consortium for rail sustainability effort

Red and gray locomotive parked on track along river

PITTSBURGH — A rail manufacturer, shortline holding company, and university have announced formation of a consortium that they hope will revolutionize American railroading and eventually reduce the industry’s carbon footprint to zero. Pittsburgh-based Wabtec Corp.; Carnegie Mellon University, known for its engineering curriculum; and shortline and regional railroad operator Genesee & Wyoming announced Friday, Sept. 10, […]

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UP restores additional service in New Orleans

Union Pacific logo with Building America slogan

NEW ORLEANS — Union Pacific reports additional service has been restored in the New Orleans area as of Tuesday, including the reopening of its Avondale, La., intermodal facility. Also restored are interchange with CSX and the New Orleans Public Belt; interchange with the New Orleans & Gulf Coast, a 32-mile short line spun off from […]

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ASLRRA honors four railroads for business development

American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association logo

WASHINGTON — The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association is honoring four railroads with its Business Development Award for excellence in growing traffic in partnership with customers and local economic development authorities. The railroads, to be recognized at the annual ASLRRA Convention and Exhibition in Phoenix in November, are Iron Horse Resources’ Santa Teresa […]

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Vermont short line, transportation agency say CSX-Pan Am merger would harm competition

WASHINGTON – One of the complicating factors in CSX Transportation’s proposed acquisition of Pan Am Railways — the Pan Am Southern joint venture with Norfolk Southern — is proving to be a lightning rod. Last week, the Justice Department said the Surface Transportation Board should force CSX to sell its stake in Pan Am Southern […]

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Amtrak asks federal regulators to impose conditions on CSX-Pan Am merger (updated)

Passenger train passing through trees

WASHINGTON — Amtrak has urged federal regulators to impose conditions on CSX Transportation’s proposed acquisition of Pan Am Railways that would protect current and potential expansions of passenger service in New England. The CSX-Pan Am merger is the first before the Surface Transportation Board in which passenger trains account for the majority of traffic on […]

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Canadian Pacific says CSX-Pan Am merger threatens viability of Hoosac Tunnel route

Train with black locomotives in wooded area

WASHINGTON – CSX Transportation’s proposed acquisition of Pan Am Railways threatens the viability of the former Boston & Maine Hoosac Tunnel route that provides competition for CSX’s own New England main line, Canadian Pacific has told federal regulators. The vast majority of CP’s traffic to and from New England runs via Mechanicville, N.Y., and the […]

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Justice Department raises competitive concerns over CSX-Pan Am merger

Map showing Pan Am Railways, Pan Am Southern, and northernmost portion of CSX Transportation

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board should force CSX Transportation to sell its stake in Pan Am Southern as part of its proposed acquisition of New England regional Pan Am Railways, the Justice Department said Thursday. The Pan Am Southern is the joint venture between Pan Am Railways and Norfolk Southern, which provides NS with […]

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Finger Lakes Railway to succeed Central Maine & Quebec as operator of Maine route

Finger Lakes Railway logo

WASHINGTON – A subsidiary of New York short line Finger Lakes Railway next month will become the operator of the 58.68-mile Rockland Branch in Maine, taking over the lease of the state-owned line from Central Maine & Quebec. Midcoast Rail Service will lease the trackage from CMQ, which became part of Canadian Pacific in June […]

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Reading & Northern special highlights rare mileage, labor history

Stainless steel railcar at ornate station

GIRARDVILLE, Pa. — Passengers got a rare look at the normally freight-only Mahanoy & Shamokin Branch of the Reading & Northern Railroad Monday, Aug. 23, as well as a short course in 19th century Reading Railroad/mining labor history. One hundred twenty riders climbed aboard two Budd Co. Rail Diesel Cars at R&N’s Outer Station in […]

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