WASHINGTON — A Missouri congressman has introduced a resolution seeking to nullify the Federal Railroad Administration’s two-person crew requirement announced earlier this month. U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Springfield, Mo.) introduced the Congressional Review Act resolution in the wake of the FRA requirement [see “FRA issues rule requiring two-person train crews,” Trains News Wire, April 2, […]
Magazine: Trains Magazine
News photos: BNSF train derailed by tornado in Nebraska
WAVERLY, Neb. — A BNSF train was derailed this afternoon when it was struck by a tornado between Waverly and Lincoln, Neb.. The tornado was one of a series in an outbreak across the Midwest today (Friday, April 26). KSBN-TV reports the incident occurred about 3:25 p.m., according to a BNSF representative. There were no […]
BNSF derailment, fire close Interstate 40 (updated)
GALLUP, N.M. — A BNSF Railway train derailed and caught fire near the Arizona-New Mexico state line at midday Friday, forcing the closure of Interstate 40, KOB-TV reports. The derailment on BNSF’s Gallup Subdivision about 12:42 p.m. Mountain Time, according to an initial BNSF report to customers. BNSF places the incident near Lupton, Ariz., approximately […]
STB’s Oberman sets May 10 date for retirement
WASHINGTON — Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin J. Oberman will retire as of May 10, he announced today (Friday, April 26). Oberman, a board member since January 2019 and chairman since January 21, 2021, had announced his plans to step down from the board last November, but had not set a date [see “STB chairman […]
Eleven rail labor groups maintain their support for Norfolk Southern management
WASHINGTON — Well, you can bet there will be interesting discussions going on in Norfolk Southern locomotive cabs today. Just hours after the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen reversed course and said it would back activist investor Ancora Holdings in its bid to oust Norfolk Southern management, the SMART-TD union that represents conductors said […]
SunRail airport connection to Orlando attractions, Brightline Tampa route has $4 billion price tag
ORLANDO—A Florida Department of Transportation study released Thursday projects improvements necessary to build a rail link from Orlando International Airport into the Interstate 4 corridor adjacent to convention facilities and theme parks would cost $4 billion. But the report to the board of directors for commuter rail operator SunRail’s indicates the investment would generate huge […]
Norfolk Southern loses support of engineers’ union in proxy battle with activist investor (updated)
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is now backing activist investor Ancora Holdings and its call for management change at Norfolk Southern. The union’s decision, announced today, is the second in as many days: The union representing maintenance of way workers yesterday swung its support to Ancora. The unions represent 41.5% […]
CP 2816 begins Final Spike tour
CALGARY, Alberta — After its first public display on Wednesday, Canadian Pacific No. 2816 begins the CPKC “Final Spike Steam Tour” today, traveling from Calgary to Medicine Hat, Alta., on the first leg of a two-day trip to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where its next display event is scheduled. The first U.S. display date is April […]
MBTA extends contract of commuter operator Keolis by one year
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has extended the contract of Keolis Commuter Services, which operates the agency’s commuter trains, by one year to mid-2027, the CommonWealth Beacon reports. The agency said the extension allows time to develop a new contract arrangement for its future operator that would help provide private-sector funding to help […]
ATSF No. 2926 set for another visit to Albuquerque’s Tractor Brewing
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Santa Fe 4-8-4 No. 2926 will return to Tractor Brewing on May 4, marking the first anniversary of its first public trip, the New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society has announced. The locomotive built by Baldwin in 1944 will again make the half-mile trip from its restoration site at 1833 […]
MBTA extends current Blue Line maintenance closure
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will extend the current maintenance closure of the Blue Line by two days, to April 30, to complete work needed to eliminate 16 speed restrictions, the agency announced Thursday at a board of directors meeting. The current Blue Line project began April 17, first involving a closure between […]
New York MTA releases ‘Climate Resilience Roadmap’
NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Thursday released its Climate Resilience Roadmap, outlining steps the agency has identified to protect New York’s transit system from the effects of climate change. The 130-page report, unveiled in an event at Metro North Railroad’s Mott Haven Yard, outlines 10 goals to address the impacts of flooding, […]