CINCINNATI — The city of Cincinnati’s sale of the Cincinnati Southern Railway to Norfolk Southern has been completed. Paul Muething, president of the Cincinnati Southern board of trustees, said in a statement available on the railway website that the board received the $1.6 billion payment from NS, plus $20 million in deferred transaction fees, on […]
Magazine: Trains Magazine
Conrail’s West Side story
West Side Freight Line New York Central’s West Side Freight Line, more formally named the 30th Street Branch, was the only direct freight railroad into Manhattan. It was just 10 miles long but maintained to mainline standards, and was even electrified for three decades. Vital for freight, mail, and express into the 1960s, it afterward […]
Gulf Coast impasse at Mobile remains unresolved: Analysis
WASHINGTON — Parties in the settlement intended to lead to the start of Gulf Coast passenger service said in a status report to the Surface Transportation Board that negotiations between Amtrak and the city of Mobile for a lease of downtown city land “are continuing to move forward.” The report filed Friday by Amtrak, Norfolk […]
Norfolk Southern adds communications, compliance officers
ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern has named Betsy Talton-Buck as vice president and chief communications officer, and Angie Kolar as vice president and chief compliance officer. The appointments, announced Friday, March 15, are effective on Tuesday, April 9. Both positions report to Nabanita Nag, executive vice president, corporate affairs and chief legal officer. Talton-Buck was previously […]
MBTA plan would introduce battery-electric equipment on one commuter rail route
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority could become the second transit agency in the U.S. to operate battery-electric commuter trains under a proposal put forth by its contract operator, Keolis, to increase service on the MBTA’s Fairmount line. Bid solicitation documents posted Friday on the MBTA website seek a fleet of battery-electric multiple unit […]
MBTA announces April maintenance shutdowns for transit, commuter rail lines
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s ongoing efforts to eliminate slow orders on its rail transit system will continue with shutdowns on the Orange, Blue, and Red lines in April, the agency has announced. Also planned are shutdowns on several commuter rail lines, one of which will last for nine days. More complete details […]
Metra schedules meeting on plans for new Woodstock yard
WOODSTOCK, Ill. — Metra will hold an open house meeting in Woodstock on Thursday, March 21, to discuss plans for a new layover yard for the Union Pacific Northwest Line planned near the community in McHenry County, The meeting will be Thursday, March 21, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Woodstock Opera House […]
More than 30 rail-related projects receive funding under federal ‘Reconnecting Communities’ program
WASHINGTON — Some 33 rail-related projects are among those receiving $3.3 billion in funding under the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant Program announced earlier this week by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The program seeks to address rail lines, highways, or other transportations that create barriers within communities, improving access to daily needs such as […]
Cumbres & Toltec names Beaudette as general manager
CHAMA, N.M. — The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad has named Ed Beaudette as general manager for the 2024 season, the railroad announced Friday. He replaces Steven Butler, who resigned earlier this month. Beaudette, who worked for many years as the railroad’s manager of engineering and operations, currently serves on the board of the Friends […]
Canadian government provides $6.7 million for improvements at Port of Thunder Bay
THUNDER BAY, Ontario — The Canadian government will provide up to C$6.7 million for two projects to increase capacity at the Port of Thunder Bay, according to a Friday announcement. Up to C$3 million will go to a project to redevelop an existing rail yard at the Port’s Keefer Terminal, adding heavyweight track and switches […]
Maya Train operation begins between Cancun and Playa del Carmen
CANCÚN, Mexico — The latest section of Mexico’s Maya Train has finally begun operation, more than two weeks after its inauguration ceremonies. The news site Noticaribe reports the first train from Playa del Carmen to Cancún departed at 10:30 a.m. today (Friday, March 15). Initial operations include three daily round trips on the 42-mile segment; […]
Ancora responds to STB’s request for a meeting about NS proxy fight
WASHINGTON — Ancora Holdings, which is leading an activist investor group that’s fighting a proxy battle to oust Norfolk Southern’s management, has responded to Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin J. Oberman’s request for a meeting about its plans for the railroad. “We suggest a discussion with yourself and the continuing Board Members once we have […]