More talk but no action as Mobile city council considers Amtrak service

aerial view of land along railroad tracks near water

MOBILE, Ala. — Members of the Mobile City Council remained focused on its potential funding obligation to support Amtrak Gulf Coast service at a Monday meeting with Amtrak representatives, WKRG-TV reports. Representatives of the passenger operator, as well as CSX, the Southern Rail Commission, and the Federal Railroad Administration were on hand for a meeting […]

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FTA awards $343 million to eight transit agencies for station upgrades (updated)

Maintenance workers at station platform

EAST ORANGE, N.J. — Eight rail transit systems will receive a total of $343 million to modernize stations, improving access for passengers including those with disabilities and injuries, under grants announced today by the Federal Transit Administration. The grants, under the FTA’s All Stations Accessibility Program, were announced in an event at NJ Transit’s Brick […]

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Bridge issue leads to CSX derailment in Tennessee

CSX logo

LaFOLLETTE, Tenn. — Cleanup continues after about 15 cars of a CSX Transportation freight train derailed Saturday after part of a bridge gave way, according to the city’s police chief. WATE-TV reports that LaFollette Police Chief Steve Wallen said the metal frame supporting the bridge had broken, leading to a derailment that destroyed about a […]

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Two UP trains derail in Arkansas; Texas Eagle cancelled St. Louis-Ft. Worth for two days

Union Pacific logo without slogan. UP Bailey Yard explosion appear to be accidental.

EMMETT, Ark. —Ten cars of a Union Pacific freight train derailed Saturday afternoon, May 25, at Emmett, Ark., about 7 miles northeast of Hope, Ark. The track continued to be blocked Sunday afternoon as crews worked to remove cars and repair the damage, according to spokeswoman Meg Siffring. A second train had derailed a day […]

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New Orleans historic streetcar line to receive spark in additional ADA compliance

New Orleans Streetcars logo

New Orleans — The historic St. Charles streetcar line of the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is expected to receive a spark in additional improvements in its ADA compliance and handicapped accessibility. This will be possible with over $5 million in funding from a recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, recently announced by Congressman Troy […]

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Viewliner diner serving ‘flexible’ meals to be added to Crescent June 1: Analysis

Passengers eating in dining car

WASHINGTON — Beginning June 1, Amtrak plans to restore a dining car to the New York-New Orleans Crescent. However, initially only sleeping car passengers will be allowed to use it, and the food served will continue to be reheated “flexible” meals. As reported in the Rail Passengers Association’s weekly Hotline email, Amtrak senior leadership confirmed […]

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Firefighter injured at Progress Rail plant in Florida

Fire truck outside building that shows burn damage

NAPLES, Fla. — One firefighter was injured in a fire at a Progress Rail facility in Naples early this morning (Friday, May 17). WFTX-TV reports 16 people were in the building at the time the fire broke out, but all evacuated safely. Twenty fire units and 41 firefighters responded to the incident  at a single-story […]

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Patriot Rail donates vintage parts, machinery to Kentucky Steam

Boxes on shelves

IRVINE, Ky. — Kentucky Steam Heritage Corp. has received a donation of vintage parts and equipment valued at well over $200,000 from Patriot Rail to aid the non-profit organization’s restoration of C&O 2-8-4 No. 2716 and stock the group’s locomotive shop. The donation includes some 37,000 pounds of parts, tools, and supplies from a Patriot […]

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Brightline drops monthly passes in response to capacity crunch: Analysis

Train with yellow and white locomotive and blue and white cars in shop building

MIAMI — Commuters who have planned regular West Palm Beach-Miami travel around Brightline’s $399, 40-ride “SoFlo” monthly pass were informed last week that what amounts to the pass’s $10 per-ride fare will no longer be sold after May 31. Available in its place will be 10-ride, 30-day passes. Prices for these will be $250 for […]

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Improperly lined switch led to CSX collision in Folkston, Ga., according to preliminary NTSB report

Locomotive and badly damaged railcar

WASHINGTON — An improperly aligned switch during maintenance work that had signal operation suspended led to the collision of two CSX trains in Folkston, Ga., on April 15, according to the preliminary report on the incident released today (May 8) by the National Transportation Safety Board. Three crew members were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening […]

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Railmark to develop, operate rail line at Mississippi industrial park

Logo of Railmark Inc.

HENDERSON, Ky. — Railmark Industrial Railway Inc. will operate and develop an 11-mile rail line at an industrial park in Mississippi’s Tishomingo County, the company announced today. The line, which interchanges with Norfolk Southern and a barge port on the Tenn-Tom Waterway, was built in 1982 for NASA. Railmark plans to restore and upgrade the infrastructure, […]

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