The union that represents conductors says it will ask the Federal Railroad Administration to deny CSX’s request to become the first railroad to use Trip Optimizer’s Zero-to-Zero feature, which allows the advanced cruise-control system to automatically start and stop trains. After a round of tests in 2020 and 2021, CSX initially sought FRA permission to […]
BOSTON — Massachusetts’ inspector general has called for the MBTA to improve fare collection on its commuter trains, saying it does not happen “dependably or consistently,” while the state’s auditor has issued a report critical of the transit agency’s administration of its contract with commuter operator Keolis. The scrutiny comes as the MBTA approaches the […]
PITTSBURG, Kan. — Short line holding company Watco is adding another railroad to its stable: Great Lakes Central, the operator of 420 miles of state-owned trackage in Michigan. Watco already knows the railroad well. It has been an equity investor in the GLC since 2013. “The Great Lakes Central Railroad has been a vital part […]
This year was my second year attending the Amherst Railway Society’s Railroad Hobby Show in West Springfield, Mass. and it sure was a great time. After being blown away by the sheer size of the show in 2024, I was ready to experience it again this year, and take it all in. Whether it’s your […]
PITTSBURGH — Wabtec Corp. has gained approval to become a certified telematics vendor for RailPulse, the manufacturer has announced. The RailPulse coalition of railroads, railcar builders and leasing firms, and related parties is developing industry-wide standards for real-time railcar location tracking and data regarding car condition — such as whether doors or hatches are open […]
Billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who heads the advisory “Department of Government Efficiency” as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to upend business as usual in Washington, told a tech conference this week that Amtrak should be privatized. Musk offered no specifics on how Amtrak could be privatized or what company would be interested in […]
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers are considering legislation to allow the state to join the Southern Rail Commission — but the motivation for that legislation could face a roadblock. Bills in the state’s House of Representatives (HB 833) and Senate (SB 966) indicate the goal in joining the SRC is to revive service to Pensacola, […]
NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit will speed up efforts to replace damaged windows on its multilevel railcars, cutting the time to complete to three years instead of the previously projected six to eight years. The plan to replace the windows in one third of the fleet over the next three years was announced Wednesday, March […]
WASHINGTON — After a one-week dip into negative territory, U.S. weekly rail traffic has climbed back above 2024 levels. According to the Association of American Railroads, volume for the week ending March 1, 2025, was 508,531 carloads and intermodal units, a 5.4% increase over the same week a year ago. That includes 222,757 carloads, up […]
WASHINGTON — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority train that caught fire on Feb. 6, 2025, had been inspected earlier in the day because of sluggish performance, according to the National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report on the incident released today (March 5, 2025), About 325 passengers and four crew members were safely evacuated from the […]
CHICAGO — “This is a special day on the Texas Eagle,” said the attendant over the PA system as the train emerged into daylight on its Monday, March 3, departure from Chicago Union Station. “Because today is the day we got our observation car back! Anyone can go in there and relax — it lets […]
CHICAGO — Michael Naatz has been named as chief operating officer at Anacostia Rail Holdings, the company has announced. Naatz most recently was executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Kansas City Southern, after previously serving as senior vice president, operations support, and chief information officer, leading intermodal operations, mechanical, service design, and information […]
