UP says chemical lost from hopper car leaked away in transit

Manufacturing facility in Wyoming

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Union Pacific says its investigation into the disappearance of 30 tons of a chemical from a hopper car earlier this year indicates the material was lost in transit because of a leak during the trip from Cheyenne to California, KGWN-TV reports. The hopper loaded with ammonium nitrate — used as a fertilizer […]

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Wabtec: Hydrogen is the locomotive fuel of the future (updated)

As the railroad industry searches for ways to reduce and ultimately eliminate its greenhouse gas emissions, Wabtec sees hydrogen as the locomotive fuel of the future, whether it’s burned in internal combustion engines or used to power fuel cells. “We think this is going to be an impactful technology. We’re not seeing this as a […]

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Virginia agency nears start of work on new Potomac rail bridge

Rendering of rail and pedestrian bridges across river

WASHINGTON — Virginia Passenger Rail Authority officials will seek $829 million in federal funding for the project to build a new bridge over the Potomac River, a key portion of the plan to greatly expand passenger rail service by creating separate passenger and freight main lines south of Washington. But the Washington Post reports that, […]

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Additional work scheduled on Stuart, Fla., rail bridge (updated)

Boat approaches open drawbridge

STUART, Fla. — Additional time has been added for rehabilitation work on the St. Lucie River Drawbridge in Stuart, Brightline and Florida East Coast Railway have announced. While intermittent closures were scheduled to continue today (Wednesday, Aug. 30) and Thursday, Aug. 31, an additional extended full closure has now been added on Thursday from 5:30 […]

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Grain cars overturn in UP derailment in El Paso

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

EL PASO, Texas — Approximately 13 cars of grain derailed on a Union Pacific train in central El Paso this afternoon, closing an exit of Interstate 10, KFOX-TV reports. Three of the cars overturned, spilling a load reported to be soybean meal. No injuries are reported and no hazardous materials are involved, El Paso Fire […]

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Alberta tourist railroads you must visit

Passengers riding in a dome car.

Alberta tourist railroads you must visit include adventurous excursions, a historic village in Calgary, and everything in between. From the Tourist Trains Guidebook, here are the tourist railroads, museums, and historic sites you must visit across this Canadian province. Alberta Tourist Railroads and Museums Calgary Heritage Park Historical Village – 1900 Heritage Drive SW, Calgary […]

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Macquarie Infrastructure Partners to acquire Massachusetts short line

WASHINGTON – Macquarie Infrastructure Partners is acquiring Massachusetts short line Pioneer Valley Railroad from its founder, Pinsly Railroad Co., according to a regulatory filing. Through Gulf & Atlantic Railways, Macquarie currently owns five railroads, including the 228-mile Grenada Railroad in Mississippi; the 430-mile Florida Gulf & Atlantic; 14-mile Camp Chase Rail in Ohio, the 28-mile […]

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Tourist railroads in the Western United States

Train with mountains in distance

Tourist railroads you must visit out west include scenic excursions heading into the Alaskan wilderness, a top-tier museum, and everything in between. From Trains Magazine’s Tourist Trains Guidebook, here’s our list of tourist railroads, museums, and displays to experience in the region. Tourist Railroads and Museums out West Alaska Alaska Railroad – 411 West 1st […]

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New Class I locomotive orders trickle in

orange and yellow locomotive on track

Class I locomotive It’s been three years since the railroad industry has had a new-build six-axle freight locomotive order for a Class I railroad. Precision Scheduled Railroading, a glut of stored locomotives, and the desire to rebuild instead of build, has kept railroads on the sidelines in terms of new power. Progress Rail’s last new […]

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