Ottawa set to open expanded Trillium rail line

Red and white DMU trainset outside shop building

OTTAWA, Ontario — The phase two extension of Ottawa’s light rail Trillium Line, which includes a connection to the city’s airport, is set to open Monday, Jan. 6, transit agency OC Transpo has announced. The addition will open for limited service for at least the first two weeks, operating from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. […]

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Man arrested after explosive device found on railcar in Idaho

Union Pacific logo without slogan. UP Bailey Yard explosion appear to be accidental.

PAYETTE, Idaho — A 40-year-old Idaho man has been arrested in connection with the discovery of an improvised explosive device attached to a railcar in the town of Payette, the Idaho Stateman reports. Brent Sharrai of Payette was arrested on New Year’s Day after police followed footprints through fresh snow leading from the railcar, which […]

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Roberts becomes CEO at Savage

Upper-body shot of man in blue blazer

SALT LAKE CITY — Jeff Roberts has become CEO of Savage Cos., the multifaceted supply-chain company whose businesses include short line railroads and other rail operations and logistics. Roberts becomes just the fourth CEO in the history of the privately held company established in 1946. He replaces Kirk Aubry, who announced plans to retire in […]

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Engineers’ union ratifies Berkshire & Eastern contract

Logo of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have ratified a five-year contract with Genesee & Wyoming’s Berkshire & Eastern Railroad, the union announced this week. The contract, ratified unanimously, includes wage increases totally 22.5% over the life of the contract: 5% at signing, 5% in 2025, 4% in 2026, 4% […]

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News Wire recommended reading

Short passenger train on single track surrounded by trees

Trains News Wire’s occasional roundup of noteworthy articles is back for your New Year’s Day enlightment, this time with three recent stories on commuter and passenger rail: — The news site MinnPost looks at Amtrak’s Borealis and barriers to further service; even adding another car to the consist would require negotations. — The Boston Globe […]

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News Wire top stories of 2024, No. 1: Turmoil at Norfolk Southern

Front view of black locomotive entering curve

For Norfolk Southern, 2024 was the second turbulent year in a row that the railroad probably would like to forget. As the year began, NS executives held private meetings with a Cleveland-based activist investor that sought seats on the company’s board and wanted the railroad to improve its lagging financial performance in the wake of […]

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CPKC train derails in eastern North Dakota

CPKC logo

CUBA, N.D. — No injuries were reported when 17 cars of a Canadian Pacific Kansas City train derailed Monday (Dec. 30, 2024) near the town of Cuba. The derailment occurred just before noon. Barnes County Emergency Manager Jessica Jenrich told KFGO Radio that the cars involved were either empty or carrying sand. Cuba is about […]

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Amtrak ends plan to move to Miami Airport station: report

Blocked-off platform at passenger station

MIAMI — Amtrak has ended plans to move its operations to a station at Miami International Airport. The news site Miami Today reports that the passenger operator sent a short letter to officials involved with the Miami Intermodal Center at the airport, saying it “currently not feasible” to move operations of the Silver Meteor and […]

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