City of Cheyenne creates group to pursue passenger rail service

Map of northern Colorado with proposed rail line

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Cheyenne’s mayor has launched a new group to aid in efforts to bring passenger rail service back to Wyoming’s largest city. Mayor Patrick Collins announced creation of the 10-member Cheyenne Passenger Rail Commission on Monday, saying the group’s first meeting is set for this Friday, Dec. 15, at 10 a.m. It will […]

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Reading & Northern hits one million tons in coal traffic

Close view of Reading & Northern hopper car

PORT CLINTON, Pa. — The Reading & Northern Railroad announced today it has moved one million tons of coal this year, reaching that long-sought goal for the first time in its 33-year history. The milestone reinforces the “Road of Anthracite” slogan adopted by owner and CEO Andy Muller since launching the railroad with an initial […]

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Greg Scholl, noted producer of rail videos, dies at 72

Photo of covers of two steam video DVDs

Greg Scholl, who turned his lifelong interest in trains into a major video production business, died Dec. 9, 2023, after a long illness. He was 72. His company, Greg Scholl Video Productions, is one of the last independent video producers, having produced more than 250 titles as he traveled North America in search of steam […]

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Canadian government announces second phase of new brake rules

Transport Canada logo

OTTAWA, Ontario — The Canadian government has announced new rules regarding rail air brake inspection and maintenance, to take effect Dec. 1, 2025. The new changes to the federal Railway Freight and Passenger Train Brake Inspection and Safety Rules, announced on Friday, Dec. 8, require railroads to: — Perform more robust brake inspections for heavy […]

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News photos: Metra operates congressional special

Blue and white locomotives lead commuter train

CHICAGO — In a rarity on a number of fronts, Metra operated a special train today (Sunday, Dec. 10) for members of Congress between Chicago Union Station and the O’Hare Airport station on the North Central Service line. The train, using one of Metra’s decorated holiday train sets generally led by F40PH-3 No. 104, the […]

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Biden administration heralds commitment to high speed rail

President Joe Biden speaking at podium with banner reading "high speed rail" above him

President Joe Biden and passenger rail advocates on Friday hailed announcement of two major Federal Railroad Administration programs — one providing $8.2 billion in grants for construction of passenger-focused projects [see “FRA announces $8.2 billion in Federal-State Partnership passenger grants,” Trains News Wire, Dec. 8, 2023] and the other announcing routes selected for further passenger […]

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Full list of passenger routes in FRA Corridor program released

Map of routes selected for FRA Corridor ID program

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration has released its list of routes selected for the first step of its Corridor Identification and Development Program, a catch-all group of 69 potential future Amtrak routes, possible extensions to existing routes, efforts to increase service on existing routes, and future high speed rail systems. Thirty-three of these routes […]

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Baltimore light rail line shut down indefinitely

Red, yellow, and white light rail trainset

BALTIMORE — The Maryland Transit Administration is halting service on its light rail line in Baltimore because of mechanical issues requiring immediate repairs, officials said at a Thursday press conference. The service suspension is effective today (Friday, Dec. 8) and will be in effect indefinitely. The Baltimore Sun reports that MTA Administrator Holly Arnold said […]

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Federal grant to upgrade Empire Builder route in Montana

BNSF Railway logo

WASHINGTON — BNSF Railway will receive a federal grant for $14.9 million toward infrastructure improvements in and around Malta, Mont., U.S. Sen. Jon Tester announced Thursday. The money, from the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program, is to improve service on the route of the Empire Builder. Specifically, it will help with final […]

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