MONTREAL — Apparently triggered by one or more incidents in which a VIA Rail Canada Venture trainset failed to activate highway crossing warning devices, Canadian National is now requiring that all of VIA’s Venture-equipped trainsets operate with 32 axles. The edict came late Friday, at the beginning of Canada’s Thanksgiving Day holiday weekend. It also […]
Section: News Wire
UP, Ferromex limit grain traffic into Mexico following derailment
EAGLE PASS, Texas — Union Pacific and Mexican partner Ferromex have suspended permits for grain shuttles as a result of a derailment in Mexico, UP said in a notice to customers issued Saturday, Oct. 12. The suspension of permits for two active Ferromex embargos reflects “the high volume of ag unit trains in the pipeline […]
San Diego agency asks STB to dismiss case over long-running fight on Del Mar bluffs
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — San Diego’s North County Transit District will abandon its original plans to build safety fencing along the Del Mar bluffs under a settlement reached last month with the California Coastal Commission, and as a result will end its long-running case before the Surface Transportation Board regarding the fence and bluff-stablization work. […]
Two charged in looting of UP freight train
CHICAGO — Two people have now been charged in connection with the looting of a Union Pacific intermodal train Friday on the city’s West Side, WLS-TV reports. Derrick Weathers, 53, and Lemar Hollingsworth, 21, are facing misdemeanor charges for theft. Weathers is also facing a felony charge for drug possession. At least six individuals were […]
BNSF line reopened at site of Montana derailment
ESSEX, Mont. — One main track at the site of an Oct. 12 grain train derailment near Essex has been reopened, with the second expected to be reopened this evening, according to a BNSF advisory to customers. A dozen cars were reported to have derailed at Java, Mont., early Saturday [see “BNSF grain train derails […]
Riding the Adirondack: photo report
A full-length heritage dome once operated seasonally on the New York-Montreal Adirondack north of Albany-Rensselaer, N.Y. That began during Amtrak’s 1990s product line era when managers focused on growing ridership and revenue on individual routes. The car was sold off during CEO Richard Anderson’s regime, although views are still terrific through Amfleet II coach windows. […]
CPKC opens new US operations center
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — CPKC on Friday, Oct. 11, marked the opening of its new U.S. Operations Center at Knoche Yard in Kansas City, Mo. Mayor Quinton Lucas and CEO Keith Creel participated in the ribbon-cutting for the four-story, 46,000-square-foot tower completed in just 15 months. The structure is home to the U.S. Network Operations […]
Canadian government announces funding for grade crossing projects
LONDON, Ontario — The Canadian government on Friday announced it would fund more than Ca$45 million in grade crossing safety projects and programs across the country, including infrastructure improvements and educational programs. The funding will Ca$44 million for 231 projects under the Rail Safety Improvement Program. The government has now announced more than 400 such […]
BNSF grain train derails in Montana
ESSEX, Mont. — Twelve cars of a BNSF grain train derailed near Essex early today (Saturday, Oct. 12), KRTV reports. No injuries were reported. The incident occurred about 5:42 a.m. near Java, Mont., on the Hi Line Subdivision, according to a BNSF customer advisory. Both tracks of the main line were affected; BNSF is estimating […]
Six arrested after looting of UP train in Chicago
Chicago Austin: CPD dispatched that several freight trains were being burglarized between Cicero and Lockwood. Lots of merchandise taken off trains and loaded into vehicles NBCSky5 has witnessed this. @metra and CPD in the area. Also @Metra delays. Live #NBCSky5 @nbcchicago pic.twitter.com/8zJQhQonqc — Mike Lorber (@NBCSky5) October 11, 2024 CHICAGO — At least six people […]
North Carolina’s Tweetsie Railroad facing lengthy closure because of hurricane
BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — The Tweetsie Railroad, a tourist railroad and theme park in western North Carolina, will be closed for the remainder of its fall season as a result Hurricane Helene, the company announced Friday. An announcement posted on Facebook reads, “Tweetsie Railroad will remain closed for the rest of the fall season to […]
Legislation would allow Amtrak to sue over freight train interference
WASHINGTON — Two Pennsylvania Congressmen on Friday introduced a bill which would allow Amtrak to address freight train interference issues by taking railroads to court over the issue. The bill, dubbed the “Rail Passenger Fairness Act,” was introduced by U.S. Reps. Chris Deluzio (D-Aspinwall, Pa.) and Brendan Boyle (D-Philadelphia), would allow Amtrak to sue railroads […]