WASHINGTON — DC Metrorail will begin inspecting bolts on the brake system of its older railcars every 60 days in response to a derailment last month, the Washington Post reports. That derailment of a 7000-series trainset was caused when the train hit a brake disc that had fallen off a preceding train of older equipment, […]
Train Topic: Railroad Operations
NTSB chair criticizes FRA’s final rule requiring video cameras on passenger locomotives
WASHINGTON – The Federal Railroad Administration today published its final rule mandating inward- and outward-facing cameras in passenger locomotives, a move that immediately brought criticism from the chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, who said the rule doesn’t go far enough. The FRA rule, which goes into effect on Nov. 13, will require the […]
Kansas requirement for two-person crews takes effect
TOPEKA, Kan. — The state of Kansas on Wednesday enacted rules requiring two-person crew for freight trains, but the new administrative action could be challenged in court. Gov. Laura Kelly said in a press release that the new requirement “will protect workers from the effects of fatigue, prevent train derailments, and reduce risks in the […]
MTA to offer art, architecture tours of Grand Central Madison Oct. 21-22
NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will offer tours of both the architecture and artwork of Grand Central Madison, the Long Island Rail Road terminal that opened earlier this year, sa part of the Open House New York Weekend, set for Oct. 20-22. The annual event opens noteworthy locations across New York’s five boroughs […]
Norfolk Southern lifts day-of-week restrictions on Midwest-West Coast international intermodal service
ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern this week ended restrictions on international intermodal service linking five of its Midwestern terminals with West Coast ports. “We are instituting this customer-centric, operations-driven solution for shipments originating at Appliance Park [Louisville, Ky.], Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, and Detroit, and we look forward to the positive impact these adjustments will have on […]
CPKC and CSX detail their plans to connect their networks via Meridian & Bigbee short line
WASHINGTON — Canadian Pacific Kansas City and CSX Transportation have detailed their plans to acquire Genesee & Wyoming short line Meridian & Bigbee in order to create a shortcut interchange route linking the Southeast and Mexico via Myrtlewood, Ala. The deal, announced in June but outlined in a series of regulatory documents that appeared on […]
Missouri officials seek funding for additional ‘River Runner,’ other new Amtrak service
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Transportation is seeking federal funding to add a third daily round trip to Missouri River Runner service and add three other Amtrak routes in the state, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. The state DOT is asking Gov. Mike Parson (R) to include the request in his coming […]
News photo: South Shore testing for resumption of service
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. — An eastbound South Shore Line test train approaches the 11th Street station in Michigan City on Tuesday, Oct. 10. Rail service west from Michigan City has been replaced by buses for more than a year — and the 11th Street station has been closed since May 2021 — as part of […]
Canadian government to help fund new Port of Montreal container terminal
CONTRECOEUR, Quebec — The Canadian government will spend up to C$150 million toward construction ofa new rail-served container terminal at the Port of Montreal, Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez announced on Tuesday. The project will include a 675-meter-long dock; a rail connection to existing Canadian National tracks, including a rail transfer point and freight transfer hub; […]
Eight projects seek federal funding for South Dakota rail infrastructure improvements
PIERRE, S.D. — Eight railroads and government agencies have made their pitches to the South Dakota Railroad Board for more than $58 million available in infrastructure project funding from the Federal Railroad Administration. KELO-TV reports that the board is administering $58.9 million in Special Transportation Circumstances grants, part of $139 million in funding announced earlier […]
Carloads of military equipment involved in Union Pacific derailment
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. —Eight railcars of military equipment derailed Monday evening in Colorado Springs, KOAA-TV reports. The derailment occurred about 6:30 p.m. and led to the closure of East Las Vegas Street adjacent to the derailment site. A Union Pacific representative told the station that the train’s final destination was Colorado Springs but the company […]
Metrolink to add service on Antelope Valley Line
LOS ANGELES — Commuter rail operator Metrolink is expanding service on its Antelope Valley Line effective Oct. 23, adding more night service on weekdays and offering twice as many trains on weekends, KTLA-TV reports. Weekday service will see 15 round trips, up from the current 11. Inbound, the current earliest train of the day, which […]