VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The Canadian government is prepared to impose a settlement in the labor dispute at British Columbia ports after dock workers again rejected a tentative deal on Friday night. Labor Minister Seamus O’Regan wrote in a statement today (July 29) that he has directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to determine whether […]
Train Topic: Railroad Operations
Plan to close English ticket offices brings controversy
LONDON — British government proposals to potentially close ticket counters at all railway stations in England have led to widespread opposition, with a nationwide consultation exercise extended to Sept. 1 following protests and threats of legal action. The opposition has come from most politicians, trades unions, and — unusually — almost the entire news media, […]
Montreal’s REM light rail makes debut
MONTREAL — With Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Quebec Premier François Legault taking part in the inaugural run, Montreal’s Réseau express métropolitain light rail network made its debut with ceremonies on Friday. The first trips Friday on the 16.6-kilometer (10.3-mile) segment between Central Station and Brossard were a prelude to open-house events and free […]
Return of Ottawa light rail line pushed back at least 10 days
OTTAWA, Ontario — Return of Ottawa’s light-rail Confederation Line has been pushed back at least 10 days to allow for additional track work, city officials were informed on Friday. Aug. 10 is now the earliest the system could resume operation. CTV News reports Renée Amicar, the city’s general manager of transit services, told the city […]
Court rules Union Pacific is not obligated to continue service for Metra
CHICAGO — A U.S. appeals court has ruled Union Pacific does not have a common-carrier obligation to continue operating commuter trains for Metra, likely hastening the transition of operations on three commuter lines from UP to Metra operation. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled on Wednesday that “Union Pacific is not […]
Three injured as SEPTA trolley derails, hits historic building
PHILADELPHIA — An out-of-service Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority trolley derailed, struck a vehicle, and crashed into a historic building dating to 1766 on Thursday night. Three people were injured, although Delia King, the woman who lives in the former Blue Bell Inn at the corner of Island and Woodland avenues was unhurt. “A SEPTA trolley just […]
Canada’s Cando Rail to develop battery switcher
EDMONTON, Alberta — Cando Rail & Terminals — the Canadian company which operates shortlines, terminals and transload facilities, and handles industrial switching, among a wide variety of rail services — will develop a battery-electric switcher. The company announced Thursday that it plans to retrofit a legacy, non-tier compliant diesel with a lithium-ion propulsion system for […]
Toronto subway line to remain closed at least three weeks following derailment
TORONTO — The Toronto Transit Commission said Thursday that service on the Scarborough line of its subway system will be suspended at least three more weeks as an investigation continues into a derailment on Monday. CityNews Toronto reports a TTC representative said a decision on restoring operation on the Scarborough RT line, also known as […]
Genesee & Wyoming Canada acquires BMS Locomotive Services
EDMONTON, Alberta — Genesee & Wyoming Canada has completed acquisition of BMS Locomotive Service group, the company announced Thursday. The firm based in Edmonton has offered locomotive inspection, maintenance, refurbishment, and repair services in Western Canada for more than 20 years. It has 10 employees. “The addition of BMS enhances G&W Canada’s suite of services […]
NTSB says track conditions caused fatal 2021 Empire Builder derailment (updated)
WASHINGTON — Track conditions led to the fatal derailment of Amtrak’s Empire Builder in Joplin, Mont., in September 2021, the National Transportation Safety Board said in its final accident report released today (July 27) Three passengers were killed and 49 other people were injured in the derailment of the westbound train on BNSF’s Hi Line […]
Norfolk Southern operations and service rebound to levels not seen since 2019
ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern’s operations and service have bounced back from the disruptions created by the Feb. 3 East Palestine hazardous materials derailment and changes the railroad made to its train makeup rules after a March 4 wreck. “Service is now at levels comparable to our best performance in 2019,” CEO Alan Shaw told investors […]
Norfolk Southern, SMART-TD announce plan to improve conductor trainee program
Norfolk Southern and the union representing conductors will collaborate on efforts to improve the training program for conductor trainees and increase compensation for conductors who provide the training, the two parties announced Wednesday. The agreement by NS and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division (SMART-TD) comes after the Federal […]