SAVANNAH, Ga. — Two Genesee & Wyoming short lines in Georgia today asked the Federal Railroad Administration to allow them to conduct a pilot program that would test Parallel Systems’ zero-emission autonomous container cars. The 211-mile Georgia Central Railway and 233-mile Heart of Georgia Railroad would like to test the battery-electric cars – which can […]
Train Topic: Railroad Operations
CP No. 2816 continues break-in runs
CALGARY — Canadian Pacific No. 2816 has now been run for about 700 miles since returning to operation, CPKC’s Jonathan J. Morris, manager, operating practices-steam, says in a post on the locomotive’s Facebook page, and is “running like the wind.” The locomotive was returned to steam June 18 and made its first short run June […]
Federal judge orders BNSF and coal producer to arbitrate dispute
Navajo Transitional Energy Co.’s lawsuit against BNSF Railway, which seeks damages for the railway’s alleged failure to reach coal volume commitments, must head to arbitration, a federal judge ruled this week. NTEC filed suit against BNSF in December, claiming that the railroad’s preferential treatment of other mines cost it more than $150 million in revenue […]
Seminole Gulf Railway gradually being restored after severe hurricane damage
FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Seminole Gulf Railway, which sustained major damage last October from Hurricane Ian, has gradually reopened its damaged right-of-way and should have operations fully restored by the end of the year, WBBH-TV reports. Six bridges were destroyed along the railroad’s route south from Arcadia, Fla., where it interchanges with CSX, through […]
NS reaches settlement with OSHA, union over safety at East Palestine site
CLEVELAND — Norfolk Southern has agreed to a settlement with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the union representing maintenance-of-way employees to improve safety at the site of the Feb. 3 East Palestine, Ohio, derailment, according to a Wednesday OSHA announcement. The settlement stems from OSHA enforcement inspections that began in March to […]
New rules coming for Stuart, Fla., rail drawbridge
STUART, Fla. — The U.S. Coast Guard plans to issue revised rules governing the Florida East Coast Railway drawbridge over the St. Lucie River in Stuart on Friday, Aug. 11, WQCS Radio reports — but details on those revisions are not yet public. Operating rules for the bridge are a key concern for Brightline as […]
FRA report: Norfolk Southern safety improving, but gaps remain
WASHINGTON — Norfolk Southern’s commitment to safety has improved since the disastrous Feb. 3 hazardous materials derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, the Federal Railroad Administration said in a report released today. But the FRA’s 143-page supplemental safety culture assessment also found that NS often focuses on meeting minimum safety standards, has inadequate communications procedures, inconsistent […]
Alstom to build 60 new passenger cars for Connecticut
HARTFORD, Conn. — Alstom will build 60 new coaches for Connecticut commuter rail service, Gov. Ned Lamont announced today. Delivery of the first cars under the $315 million contract is expected in 2026. The cars are intended for use on the Hartford Line as well as New Haven Line branches. “Having a modernized transit system […]
Landowners sue BNSF over damage from 2018 derailment
SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Landowners at the site of a 2018 derailment near Doon, Iowa, are suing BNSF Railway, seeking damages for cleanup costs and reduced property values from oil spilled in the incident. The Sioux City Journal reports Philip, Kirsti, John, and Helen Kooima of Rock Valley, Iowa, have sued BNSF for negligence over […]
Manitou & Pikes Peak to offer sunrise trips in September, October
MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. — The Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which debuted sunrise trips to the top of Pikes Peak earlier this summer, has scheduled two more this season, the Denver Post reports. The first is set for Sept. 11 and will honor first responders, with a portion of proceeds going to the […]
BLET conducting strike vote for NJ Transit engineers
NEWARK, N.J. — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is conducting a strike authorization vote for 500 locomotive engineers employed by NJ Transit, the union announced on Monday. Balloting will be conducted through noon on Aug. 31. The union said in a press release that its contract dispute with NJ Transit dates to 2019 […]
No injuries reported as CN trains collide in Alberta
WAINWRIGHT, Alberta — Two Canadian National trains collided west of Wainwright about 10:30 a.m. today (Aug. 8), Global News reports. No injuries were reported. CN, in a statement to Global News, said two of its trains “came into contact with each other, resulting in several derailed rail cars in various positions.” The railroad said no […]