Minnesota county disputes funding for Northstar commuter rail

Commuter train with smoking locomotive

MINNEAPOLIS — One of the counties that helps fund Minnesota’s Northstar commuter rail service is seeking to reduce its share of payments to keep the line running, and joining in questions whether the operation should continue in the wake of a massive loss of ridership  because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports […]

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Ohio blocked-crossing bill would levy fines starting at $5,000

Seal of the state of Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio — An Ohio state legislator has introduced legislation that would fine railroads $5,000 or more for blocking grade crossings for more than 5 minutes “to the hindrance of traffic.” The Butler County Journal-News reports state Rep. Thomas Hall (R-Madison Township, Ohio) said House Bill 361 is designed “to get the railroads’ attention,” with […]

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Union Pacific train derails near Des Moines, Iowa

Union Pacific logo with Building America slogan

CARLISLE, Iowa — Cleanup continued through the weekend after one locomotive and about 20 cars of a Union Pacific train derailed Friday night near the town of Carlisle, just southeast of Des Moines. KCCI-TV reports the accident, which temporarily closed the adjacent State Route 5, initially launched a hazmat response from local fire departments, but […]

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Train 4

Steam locomotive with passenger train

Train 4 Pere Marquette’s unnamed Grand Rapids–Detroit train 4 rolls through Trowbridge, Mich., in 1940. Locomotive 712 is one of 12 class SP-3 4-6-2 Pacifics built by Alco’s Brooks works in January 1921. Classic Trains collection […]

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Brookfield, Wis., depot prepared for move

Passenger train passing one-story wooden station

BROOKFIELD, Wis. — One of the last remaining Wisconsin depots on the former Milwaukee Road main line is about to move after being in one place for more than 150 years. The 1867 Brookfield depot will be relocated starting at 10 p.m. on Nov. 4, city Economic Development Coordinator Todd Willis tells Trains News Wire. […]

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News Photo: Amtrak Chargers testing in Michigan

Black locomotive with blue stripes leads short train at night

An Amtrak test extra — with Siemens Charger ALC42 locomotives Nos. 301 and 300 bracketing a Horizon car and a Viewliner baggage car — heads west from Chelsea, Mich., during the wee hours of Oct. 28, 2021. Nighttime PTC testing for the new locomotives is based at nearby Jackson, Mich. — David Patch […]

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Minnesota museum 2-8-0 passes hydro test

Steam locomotive pulling freight cars over bridge

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railway 2-8-0 No. 332 has passed a hydrostatic boiler test at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum following boiler repairs. Museum Executive Director Ken Buehler told Trains News Wire the test last week was a success, and the Federal Railroad Administration has now signed off on repairs to […]

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Metra asks court to revisit ruling on UP dispute

Metra_UP_Winthrop_Lassen

CHICAGO — Metra is seeking review of a September federal court ruling that Union Pacific is not obligated to continue operating rail service for the Chicago-area commuter operator. The Cook County Record reports Metra is arguing U.S. District Judge Jorge Alonso committed a “manifest injustice” in a September ruling that UP has no common-carrier obligation […]

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Cleveland RTA train separates while in motion

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority logo

CLEVELAND — One person required transport to a hospital after a Regional Transit Authority Red Line train separated while in motion on Thursday afternoon, WKYC-TV reports. The incident involved a westbound train heading for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, with the uncoupling occurring between the Cudell and West 117th Street stations. Police and Cleveland Fire first […]

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Wabtec wins contract for Metra car components

Rendering of new commuter rail cars

PITTSBURGH — Wabtec will supply components for a Metra order for new passenger cars, the company announced today. Included are brakes; passenger doors; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; and event recorders. The 200-car order for new bilevel cars is being built by Alstom under a contract approved by the Metra board earlier this […]

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