Brightline, FEC set several days of work on St. Lucie River drawbridge

Freight train with two locomotives and LNG tender crossing bridge

STUART, Fla. — Brightline and Florida East Coast Railway will perform additional rehabilitation work on the St. Lucie River drawbridge beginning tonight (Friday, Aug. 25), with extended overnight closures Aug. 27-28 and Aug 28-29, in order to complete the work before the start of Brightline service to Orlando, the two rail companies have announced. To […]

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Amtrak long-distance equipment shortage, mechanical challenges continue

People standing on station platform as train approaches

CHICAGO —  “Unforeseen mechanical issues” resulted in the cancellation of Amtrak’s westbound Cardinal out of New York on Wednesday, Aug. 23, despite the fact that the triweekly train’s equipment had arrived at the Big Apple’s Sunnyside Yard late Sunday. As has been recent custom, this resulted in the cancellation of its eastbound counterpart from Chicago […]

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Siemens breaks ground on new North Carolina plant

Aerial-view illustration of factory

LEXINGTON, N.C. — Siemens Mobility broke ground Wednesday, Aug. 23, on its new Lexington, N.C., plant, which aims to begin production in 2024 and expects to employ more than 500 people by 2028. The new facility, on a 200-acre site with room for expansion, will produce passenger cars as well as offering locomotive and passenger […]

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Initial ticket sales strong for upcoming N&W 611 fall excursions

Streamlined steam locomotive with train passes through field

ROANOKE, Va. — Strong sales have followed Tuesday’s release of tickets for the upcoming fall excursions with Norfolk & Western steam locomotive No. 611 on the Buckingham Branch Railroad. The Shenandoah Valley Limited will offer twice-daily, 60-mile round trips during October and November weekends between Goshen and Staunton, Va. Traffic was high on the website […]

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Brightline says new Stuart, Fla., bridge would cost $218 million, take four years to build (updated)

Boat approaches open drawbridge

STUART, Fla. — A new double-track bridge for the Florida East Coast Railway at Stuart would cost about $218 million and take four years to build, Brightline Vice President of Community Relations Ali Soule told Martin County officials on Tuesday. WPTV reports Soule appeared before Martin County Commissioners to ask them to pass a resolution […]

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BNSF train derails after grade-crossing collision in Louisiana (updated)

BNSF Railway logo

NEW IBERIA, La. — Two locomotives and 20 cars of a BNSF train derailed on Monday evening after the train struck a truck at a grade crossing near New Iberia. While KLFY-TV reported one crew member had been taken to a hospital after the 5 p.m. incident, BNSF said in a Tuesday statement that no […]

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Brightline, FEC introduce app, other measures for Stuart bridge

Views of four iPhone screens

STUART, Fla. — Brightline and the Florida East Coast Railway have launched a schedule app and website for the St. Lucie River drawbridge, offering mariners real-time information on bridge operations. The bridge began operating under a new schedule on Aug. 15 under a new “temporary deviation” announced by the U.S. Coast Guard [see “Coast Guard […]

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Louisiana to devote $20.5 million to New Orleans-Baton Rouge rail project

Illustration of multistory brick building next to railroad tracks

BATON ROUGE, La. — The state of Louisiana will use money it is retaining through a deal with the federal government to fund a proposed passenger rail operation between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, NOLA.com reports. The decision by Gov. John Bel Edwards’ administration will direct to the rail project some $20.5 million that the […]

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Norfolk Southern derailment reported in southwest Tennessee

Norfolk Southern logo

POCAHONTAS, Tenn. — An estimated 15 cars of a Norfolk Southern train derailed Sunday evening in southwest Tennesseee, WBBJ-TV reports, citing information from Hardeman County Sheriff John Doolen. No injuries were reported. The derailment occurred about 7 p.m. in a remote area near the Hardeman and McNairy county lines in the Pocahontas area. A photo […]

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Coast Guard revises Stuart bridge directive, addressing Brightline issues

Diesel train locomotives crossing river bridge.

STUART, Fla. — The U.S. Coast Guard has issued new rules for a Florida East Coast Railway drawbridge, removing a requirement to open the bridge for up to 15 minutes twice each daylight hour and striking a compromise between boating and rail traffic. The change is crucial for the planned start of Brightline passenger service […]

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