Rail labor seeks regulations to protect workers from technological advancements

A train passes through a tall, gray, open-ended shed

WASHINGTON — The Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, the umbrella group that includes all railroad labor unions, today urged Congress and federal regulators to protect workers whose jobs are affected by the rollout of automated and autonomous railroad technology. In a broadside against technological advances — including automated track and train inspection systems, automated […]

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Construction begins on Manly Junction Railroad Museum

Exterior illustration of station-like building

MANLY, Iowa — Construction has begun on the new Manly Junction Railroad Museum just north of the community of Manly. The $7 million museum, the brainchild of Iowa Northern Railway Chairman Dan Sabin, is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2025. The museum is designed to look like a railroad station and also […]

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New Year’s Eve train rides you’ll remember (2024)

man and woman on train with mountain in back

New Year’s Eve train rides Themed train rides are a fun, slightly different way of experiencing train travel. There are endless opportunities for railroads to host events that are multigenerational, and thus, keep them growing in popularity. From holiday decor to murder mysteries to food-oriented trains, themed excursions offer a unique way for friends to […]

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Boilermakers union ratifies deal with BNSF

Logo of International Brotherhood of Boilermakers

FORT WORTH, Texas — Members of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers have ratified a new five-year contract with BNSF Railway, the union and railroad have announced. The agreement includes average wage increases of 3.5% as well as improvements to health care and vacation time. It was one of two tentative deals announced by BNSF in […]

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LCCA sets dates for 2025 convention

round logo with locomotive in the middle

The Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA) will be celebrating their 55th anniversary at their annual convention set for July 21-26th in the historic railroad town of Scranton, Penn. The tours will include the famous Steamtown and the Electric City Trolley Museum just to mention two.  Convention activities will include multiple running train layouts, seminars, […]

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Cando Rail acquires terminal in Northwest Territories

Aerial view of small rail yard

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Cando Rail & Terminals has acquired the rail terminal operations of AWP Industries, a storage and transload facility in Enterprise, Northwest Territories, the northernmost point on the North American rail network. Cando says the facility is recently built and describes it as a “critical gateway” for the transport of bulk products to […]

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Weekly U.S. rail traffic still ahead of 2023 levels

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

WASHINGTON — A drop in carload traffic was more than offset by strong intermodal numbers, allowing U.S. rail traffic to remain above 2023 volume for the week ending Nov. 16. According to statistics from the Association of American Railroads, total traffic for the week was 516,886 carloads and intermodal units, a 3.2% gain from the […]

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SEPTA, unions reach tentative deal, avoiding strike

White trolley car going uphill on street

PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has reached a tentative 1-year agreement with two unions representing train and bus operators, averting a potential strike. Transport Workers Union Local 234, which represents workers in Philadelphia, said in a notice to members that workers will receive a 5% raise effective Dec. 8, and a 5% pension […]

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CSX unveils final heritage locomotive

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The 21st – and final – heritage locomotive in the CSX fleet is ES44AH No. 1981, a tribute to New England regional Pan Am Railways. CEO Joe Hinrichs unveiled the locomotive Tuesday, Nov. 19, in a post on LinkedIn, as has been customary. “Here is the 21st CSX Heritage Locomotive — Pan […]

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