WASHINGTON — CSX Transportation is pushing back against allegations a local union official has made regarding operations and safety at the railroad’s hump yard in Selkirk, N.Y. A combination of layoffs, crew shortages, changes to remote-control switching jobs, and CSX’s takeover of New England regional Pan Am Railways has created congestion at the yard near […]
Train Topic: Railroad Operations
St. Louis Merchants Bridge project reaches final major milestone
ST. LOUIS — The culmination of the Merchant’s Bridge rebuild project, which began in 2018, is scheduled to take place today (Friday, Aug. 26), with the third and final new span being floated into place on the Mississippi River. Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRRA) owns the bridge. The 4,340-foot-long bridge, completed in 1889, […]
St. Paul Union Depot — Another great Amtrak station
St. Paul Union Depot is a 105 year-old grand structure in the heart of downtown St. Paul, Minn. In the early 20th century, it was the transportation center for this entire area. Then, like many depots in America, it fell on hard times. But today it’s been restored and remodeled. Now, it’s not only a […]
St. Paul Union Depot — Another great Amtrak station
St. Paul Union Depot is a 105 year-old grand structure in the heart of downtown St. Paul, Minn. In the early 20th century, it was the transportation center for this entire area. Then, like many depots in America, it fell on hard times. But today it’s been restored and remodeled. Now, it’s not only a […]
Baltimore councilwoman calls for CSX coal facility to be shut down
BALTIMORE — A member of Baltimore’s city council has questioned the failure of Maryland’s environmental agency to monitor methane levels at CSX Transportation’s Curtis Bay Coal Piers, and is calling for the immediate suspension of operations at the facility. WJZ-TV reports the comments of Councilwoman Phylicia Porter came Wednesday during a council hearing on the […]
Transportation Safety Board calls for PTC-style system for Canada
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has called for implementation of a form of positive train control on Canadian railroads and new crew training measures as a result of its investigation into a 2019 collision of two Canadian National trains near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. The TSB found that factors in the […]
Freight railroads, Amtrak ask for more time for Gulf Coast mediation
WASHINGTON — The parties in the dispute over Amtrak’s effort to launch Gulf Coast service have asked the Surface Transportation Board to extend the period for board-sponsored mediation by 30 days. In a joint motion filed Wednesday, Aug. 24, by CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, Amtrak, and the Alabama State Port Authority, the parties say “an […]
MBTA to again launch commuter rail service to Foxboro station
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — For the second time, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will launch a pilot program offering extensive weekday commuter rail service to the Foxboro station, which generally has only seen service for events at the adjacent Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The one-year pilot will offer 11 inbound trips and […]
Amtrak Midwest Venture car adventure
In August of 2022, Trains.com staff had a chance to travel from Chicago, Ill., to St. Louis, Mo., along the Illinois Hi-speed Rail corridor. For this trip, riders were treated to the newest equipment operating in the Amtrak Midwest fleet, Siemens-built Venture coaches. Discover some of the major (and subtle ones too!) features these coaches […]
Amtrak Midwest Venture car adventure
In August of 2022, Trains.com staff had a chance to travel from Chicago, Ill., to St. Louis, Mo., along the Illinois Hi-speed Rail corridor. For this trip, riders were treated to the newest equipment operating in the Amtrak Midwest fleet, Siemens-built Venture coaches. Discover some of the major (and subtle ones too!) features these coaches […]
Germany hydrogen trains achieve another milestone
BREMERVORDE, Germany — Germany’s pioneering hydrogen-fuel-cell powered passenger trains have achieved the next step in their launch, fully handling service on their Cuxhaven-Bremervörde-Butexhude route as of today. Alstom, manufacturer of the 14 Coradia iLint trainsets, called the 100% hydrogen operation of the route a “historical milestone” in a press release. The trains had begun operation […]
BNSF to customers: Thanks for your patience during California carload embargo
FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway executives have thanked customers for their patience regarding the limited embargo on carload traffic bound for California that began on June 27 and is now set to expire next month. “Beginning Monday, Sept. 5, shipments may move into California without a permit. We recognize the embargo has led to […]