Texas lawmakers subpoena Texas Central for corporate information

Illustration of high speed train at station

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Central is once again the subject of unwelcome attention from Texas legislators. The state House Transportation Committee on Thursday (April 3) voted to subpoena financial documents from the company, KBTX-TV reports, saying a Texas Central representative did not sufficiently answer questions about finances, management, and foreign backing for the proposed Dallas-Houston […]

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Truck driver cited in collision that derailed CSX train

CSX logo

FRIEDENS, Pa. — A truck driver whose vehicle struck and derailed a CSX train at a grade crossing has been cited by Pennsylvania state police for his role in March 10 accident. Bradley Mahan, 43, of Johnstown, Pa., was charged with driving at an unsafe speed, the Somerset Daily American reports. The accident report says […]

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Examination of Horizon corrosion issues continue: Analysis

Going-away shot of passenger train with two smooth-sided coaches in foreground

KANONA, N.Y. — Whether any of Amtrak’s 70-car Horizon fleet can ever return to active duty is still to be determined following extensive examination of ten vehicles at carbuilder Alstom’s 130,000-square-foot inspection and overhaul facility at Kanona in upstate New York. Meanwhile, the rapid deployment of Northeast Corridor Amfleet equipment to the Pacific Northwest means […]

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New U.S. tariffs pummel railroad stocks (updated)

Yellow locomotives leading train of double-stacked containers over bridge

Railroad stocks tumbled today in response to the Trump administration’s Wednesday announcement of widespread tariffs on U.S. trading partners. It was an indication that investors believe the tariffs will raise prices and have a negative impact on consumer spending, which in turn will reduce demand for the raw materials and finished products that railroads carry. […]

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Light rail service fully restored by Santa Clara VTA

Map of San Jose, Calif.-area light rail system

SAN JOSE, Calif. — All Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light rail service has been restored as of today (April 3, 2025), marking the first time since March 9 the three-line, 42-mile, 60-station system has been fully operable. The Green Line, between Old Ironsides in Santa Clara and Winchester in Campbell, was the last line […]

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N&W No. 1218 gains state, national historic recognition

Articulated steam locomotive rounds curve with passenger excursion train

ROANOKE, Va. — Norfolk & Western Class A locomotive No. 1218, the 2-6-6-4 built by the railroad’s East End Shops in Roanoke in 1943, will be added to the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated as a Virginia Historic Landmark. The locomotive, retired in 1959 and restored for excursion service between 1987 […]

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U.S weekly rail traffic shows strong gains

Weekly table showing U.S. carload rail volume by commodity type, plus overall intermodal traffic

WASHINGTON — Big gains in both carload and intermodal traffic lifted U.S. weekly rail traffic to its biggest gains over 2024 levels in 10 weeks, and the second-biggest gain of the year. Statistics from the Association of American Railroads for the week ending March 29 show total volume of 513,553 carloads and intermodal units, an […]

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South Shore hoping to open West Lake line in August or September

Map of 8-mile branch on South Shore Line

CHESTERTON, Ind. — The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District remains hopeful that it can open the South Shore Line’s new West Lake Corridor in late August or early September, but that would require shaving more than a month off the contractors’ current estimate. Lakeshore Public Media reports NICTD President Mike Noland told the agency’s board […]

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OmniTRAX taps BNSF executive Colby Tanner as its next CEO

DENVER – Shortline holding company OmniTRAX today (April 2, 2025) named BNSF Railway sales and marketing executive Colby Tanner as its next CEO. Tanner, who brings a combination of railroad and real estate development experience to OmniTRAX, will begin working at OmniTRAX on April 15 alongside current CEO Dean Piacente. The duo aims to accelerate […]

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New map introduced for New York City subways

Schematic-style subway map for New York City

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has unveiled a redesigned version of its subway map, an instantly recognizable symbol of New York City and its transportation. The new design, the first since 1979, offers a more stylized, diagrammatic style than the more geographically accurate current version. The MTA says the white background, bold colors, […]

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April 2025

The April 2025 cover of Trains magazine

In every issue News, p. 4 California drops zero-emission locomotive rule Bill Stephens, p. 8  BNSF’s double-tracking persistence pays off History with Hankey, p. 10 A railroad-themed float at a president’s inauguration Great Railfan Roads, p. 42 Route 66 is the country’s greatest railfan road Brian Solomon, p. 50 United Kingdom celebrates two centuries of […]

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