WASHINGTON — The probable cause of a rear-end collision between two Norfolk Southern freight trains near Easton, Pa., last year — an incident that involved three trains in all — was the engineer’s failure to follow restricted speed requirements, the National Transportation Safety Board said today (April 23, 2025). But the lack of positive train […]
TORONTO — April 24,1955, was what Canadian Pacific publicity mavens characterized as a “Red Letter Day,” because that was when its new silver flagship, the Canadian, debuted with daily departures from Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. Seventy years later, VIA Rail Canada commemorated the occasion with a high-profile sendoff of its version of the train — […]
DENVER — One of Colorado’s members of Congress is calling for the U.S. Department of Transportation to rescind funding to the state’s Front Range Passenger Rail project, claiming it a waste of federal funding. Colorado’s governor says no federal funding has been allotted to construction for the project. U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Windsor, Colo.), in […]
WASHINGTON — The conductor of a contract switching operator at BNSF Railway’s auto distribution facility in Richmond, Calif., was killed when he was pinned between two railcars during a shoving move, the National Transportation Safety Board said today (April 23, 2025) in its preliminary investigation report on the April 4 incident. The conductor of three-person […]
PITTSBURGH — Wabtec reported higher quarterly revenue and earnings today thanks to growth in its freight and transit business segments. “The Wabtec team has started the year strong, delivering over 20% in earnings per share growth and highlighting the continued business momentum across both the Freight and Transit segments,” CEO Rafael Santana said. Operating income […]
ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern posted higher profits in the first quarter despite flat revenue and the impact of harsh winter weather. “There’s a lot to be pleased with this quarter,” CEO Mark George said, including delivering financial results in line with expectations despite a “vicious winter” that included 18 storms. “Our network resiliency was evident […]
MOUNT VERNON, Ind. — The Mount Vernon Railroad, a partnership between OmniTRAX and the Ports of Indiana-Mount Vernon, marked its grand opening on Tuesday with ceremonies including a ribbon cutting and a visit by local elementary school students to see the two locomotives they named in a context. OmniTRAX will serve as switching operator for the […]
OMAHA, Neb. — Members of the National Conference of Firemen & Oilers have ratified a five-year agreement with Union Pacific, the railroad announced. “I want to thank the NCFO’s leadership and members for all their hard work during negotiations and for approving this agreement,” Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena said in a press release. “We […]
OTTAWA, Ontario — Rail projects and the rail industry get little attention in the 30-page policy platform released Tuesday by Canada’s Conservative Party ahead of national elections to be held April 28. The platform for the Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, highlights a promise of a 15% cut in income taxes, cutting the federal budget […]
There’s a certain satisfaction waking up in a comfortable bed trackside. I’ve always liked being near the railroad overnight. Growing up atop a hill in Monson, Mass, a mile and half from the Central Vermont Railway’s Palmer Subdivision, I’d listen to its freights ascending State Line Hill on the run south of Palmer, Mass., and […]
WASHINGTON — The National Park Service has firmed up this year’s Trails and Rails program, which features volunteers offering commentary and one-on-one discussions with passengers aboard regional and long-distance Amtrak trains. “We’re 25 years strong, and looking forward to our upcoming season,” NPS Volunteer Partnerships Coordinator Jim Miculka tells Trains News Wire. A particularly scenic […]
HILL CITY, S.D.— If you had a question, needed a photo, or just wanted to chat about railroading in South Dakota, there was only one person to go to: Rick W. Mills. Mills, who wrote several books on South Dakota railroading and served as the curator of the South Dakota Railroad Museum, died unexpected April […]
