CPKC announces schedules for Holiday Train, Holiday Express

Train decorated with Christmas lights stopped near station at night

CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Kansas City has announced the schedule and lineup for the 25th annual Holiday Train begun by Canadian Pacific, which this year will expand its route to visit a number of communities on the former Kansas City Southern. Meanwhile, the Holiday Express train formerly operated by KCS will also visit 20 locations […]

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Stadler, California sign deal for hydrogen trainsets

Illustration of multiple-unit passenger train operating along California coast

SALT LAKE CITY — Rail equipment manufacturer Stadler and the state of California on Thursday signed a contract calling for Stadler to build four hydrogen-powered trainsets for use in the state, with an option for up to 25 more trains. The contract signed Thursday formalizes an agreement announced as a “memorandum of understanding” in September […]

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Virgin Group wins lawsuit against Brightline in British court

High speed passenger train at station.

LONDON — Virgin Group has come out on top in its legal battle over Brightline Holdings LLC in a United Kingdom court judgment. This comes after a $115 million [originally reported to be $250 million] lawsuit was filed by Virgin over the Brightline’s exit from its 20-year partnership in the Virgin Trains USA branding that […]

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FTA offers almost $200 million for railcar replacement

White and blue locomotive pushing commuter train

WASHINGTON — The Federal Transit Administration announced Wednesday announced the availability of $197 million to replace aging railcars on subway, light rail, commuter rail, and other systems under the Rail Vehicle Replacement Program, funded under the $1.5 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The agency says older cars contribute to service delays and increase costs, and many […]

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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 […]

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Stadler hydrogen trainset makes debut in Florida

Front view of blue and white passenger train equipment

ORLANDO, Fla. — Stadler’s FLIRT H2 trainset, the hydrogen-powered commuter-rail equipment set to debut next year in Southern California, has made its first U.S. debut this week at the APTA Expo in Orlando, the American Public Transportation Association’s annual conference. The train will eventually join three Stadler FLIRT diesel multiple-unit trainsets on the San Bernardino […]

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Florida officials approve development district to support ‘Sunshine Corridor’ rail project

Locomotive with two bilevel passenger cars rounding curve

ORLANDO, Fla. — Officials in Orange County, Fla., have approved creation of a new special taxation district to help fund development of the “Sunshine Corridor” rail connection to allow Brightline and commuter rail service SunRail reach the Orange County Convention Center and nearby attractions. WKMG-TV reports county commissioners unanimously approved creation of the Shingle Creek […]

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Weekly U.S. rail traffic again shows increase

Weekly table showing U.S. carload traffic by commodity type, plus overall intermodal traffic

WASHINGTON — Weekly U.S. rail traffic continued its recent upward trend, with traffic for the week ending Oct. 7 showing a 3% increase over the same week in 2022, according to statistics from the Association of American Railroads. It was the fourth straight week traffic has been ahead of weekly figures of a year ago. […]

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