WASHINGTON — Federal regulation of railroads preempts state laws regarding regulation of grade crossings, U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar has told the U.S. Supreme Court in a filing on behalf of the federal government. The filing, reported by WXIX-TV, came as the court considers whether to hear Ohio’s appeal of case regarding the ability of […]
Train Topic: Railroad Operations
CTA’s Yellow Line remains shut down after collision
CHICAGO — The Chicago Transit Authority’s Yellow Line remains shut down today (Monday, Nov. 27) as the Thanksgiving holiday period ends, some 11 days after the Nov. 16 collision between a Yellow Line train and a snowplow that injured 38 people. WLS-TV reports that the CTA has not offered any estimate when the line will […]
Failed wheel bearing caused Kentucky derailment, CSX says
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX says a failed wheel bearing caused the Nov. 22 derailment that led to an evacuation of residents in Livington, Ky., on Thanksgiving. In a Sunday statement, the railroad said it has completed the removal of all 16 railcars involved in the incident that occurred about 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, and has […]
Amtrak trains handle holiday crowds with less capacity, steep fares
CHICAGO — Airports and highways generally get the most media attention at Thanksgiving because they accommodate the majority of the people on the move during the nation’s busiest travel period. Passenger rail did get rare coverage last week on “CBS Mornings” with coverage of Brightline including a live shot and an interview with Amtrak President […]
Competition heats up under the English Channel
LONDON — Since the Channel Tunnel connecting Britain and France opened in 1994, a high speed passenger service operated by Eurostar has connected London, Paris and Brussels (extended to Amsterdam in 2018). Although competition on the route has been theoretically possible for decades, none has started — but this may be about to change as no […]
SMS Rail Lines 0-6-0 returns to steam, certified for operation (updated)
WOODSTOWN, N.J. — SMS Rail Lines Alco 0-6-0 locomotive No. 9 has been certified for operation by the Federal Railroad Administration after a 14-year restoration at the SMS shops in Bridgeport, N.J. The locomotive was built for the U.S. Army in 1942, working first at Fort Dix, N.J., and at Fort Eustis, Va., as No. […]
Fire extinguished, evacuees allowed to return after Kentucky derailment
LIVINGSTON, Ky. — Residents evacuated after a Wednesday derailment of a CSX Transportation freight train are being allowed to return home after a sulphur fire was extinguished this afternoon. CSX said in an update at 4 p.m. EST today (Nov. 23) that the railroad and local emergency responders had extinguished the fire, and air monitoring […]
Evacuation continues as sulphur burns at site of Kentucky derailment
LIVINGSTON, Ky. — Spilled sulphur continued to burn this morning at the site of a derailed CSX Transportation train in eastern Kentucky, extending the evacuation for the town of about 200 people some 60 miles south of Louisville. CSX said in a statement at 7:30 a.m. EST that the derailment involves 16 cars; in addition […]
CSX Santa Train photo gallery
CSX Santa Train The CSX Santa Train, enjoying new life after a two-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, again delighted children and adults along its 110-mile former Clinchfield Railroad route between Shelby, Ky., and Kingsport, Tenn. This year’s train featured a new “Santa Car” rebuilt from a former Pan Am Railways office car, as well […]
Evacuations reported after CSX derailment in eastern Kentucky (updated)
LIVINGSTON, Ky. — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has declared a state of emergency in Rockcastle County, in the remote eastern part of the state, following the derailment of a CSX Transportation train earlier today. About a dozen homes in a remote area of eastern Kentucky were evacuated following the derailment, WLEX-TV reports. CSX said that […]
The significance of railroad watches in North America
Railroad watches In the era of timetable and train order operation, railroaders had to have a standard railroad watch. In those days Hamilton, Elgin, and Waltham were among several popular brands. Railroad pocket watch standards But there were dozens of watch companies making “railroad approved” watches that had mandatory features by the 1930s: a minimum […]
Three injured as commuter train, CN train collide in Montreal
MONTREAL — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has said it will investigate after an Exo commuter train and Canadian National freight train collided on Tuesday evening, sending three men to the hospital with minor injuries. The CBC reports the incident occurred about 6:30 p.m. at the Saint-Léonard-Montréal-Nord station on Exo’s Mascouche line. Four other […]