As always, some notable events did not quite crack our list of the Top 10 stories of the year. And as it happens, the four stories that finished just outside the Top 10 are closely related: Chairman Martin J. Oberman’s forthcoming departure from the Surface Transportation Board; UP’s service issues and change of CEOs; the […]
WASHINGTON — The actions of an improperly licensed truck driver were the probable cause of a fatal grade-crossing collision involving a Metra commuter train in Clarendon Hills, Ill., in May 2022, with the trucking company’s inadequate safety policies contributing to the incident, the National Transportation Safety Board has determined in its final report. The incident […]
NEW ORLEANS — The Port of New Orleans will receive $73.8 million under the federal Mega Grant program for its Louisiana International Terminal project, a planned $1.8 billion container port with the eventual goal of handling some 1.2 million containers annually. The project in Violet, La., announced in late 2022, is located to eliminate height […]
BALTIMORE — Maryland Transit Administration officials say they have completed repairs on 18 cars in the Baltimore light rail fleet, but are still unwilling to say when light rail service might resume. The 30-mile, 32-station light rail line has been shut down since Dec. 8 for emergency equipment repairs following several incidents involving wiring connecting […]
PHOENIX — The latest addition to the Phoenix area’s light rail system is scheduled to open Jan. 27, officials have announced. Valley Metro’s Northwest Extension Phase II will add 1.6 miles and three stations to what is currently a 28.2-mile, 38-station system. The extension will include the system’s first elevated station, as well as a rail-only […]
OTTAWA, Ontario — The Canadian government and the Railway Association of Canada on Thursday announced renewed plans to address emissions reduction in the rail industry. Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez and Railway Association CEO Marc Brazeau announced a renewed Memorandum of Understanding, under which Transport Canada and members of the Railway Association will work together toward […]
WASHINGTON — The Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas, railroad gateways to Mexico remained closed for a fourth straight day today — and there was no indication when freight might begin moving again despite a phone call today between President Joseph Biden and his Mexican counterpart. Biden spoke with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador […]
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board’s controversial service-based reciprocal switching proposal faced another round of criticism this week, with many shippers saying it doesn’t go far enough and railroads saying it’s an unworkable, unrealistic rule that goes too far. The proposal, unveiled in September, would allow shippers located in terminal areas to seek access to […]
OWOSSO, Mich. — The brief yet significant operating season for Pere Marquette steam locomotive No. 1225 concluded Dec. 17 with the final runs of the 2023 North Pole Express. The holiday excursions are operated by Owosso’s Steam Railroading Institute, the 2-8-4’s owner, and covered five consecutive weekends beginning on Nov. 18. This followed multiple tests […]
ADAMANA, Ariz. — One track of BNSF’s Southern Transcon main line is expected to reopen today (Thursday, Dec. 21) through Adamana at approximately 7 a.m. local time following a Wednesday derailment, according to a customer service update by the railroad. No estimate has yet been determined to reopen the second track through the site. One […]
It seemed transit’s biggest headlines in 2023 were generated for all the wrong reasons. Two systems in particular — the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority — continued to deal with major administrative and operational issues. On top of that, WMATA — facing a massive operating deficit — issued a budget […]
ROANOKE, Va. — Norfolk & Western No. 611, the Virginia Museum of Transportation’s celebrated Class J 4-8-4, has gained a new honor: a spot on the National Park Services’ National Register of Historic Places. The museum learned of the designation earlier this week, and plans an official celebration in the spring, according to social media […]
