DECATUR, Ill. — A man who died in while operating a locomotive at an Archer-Daniels-Midland rail yard on Tuesday has been identified by the Macon County coroner, WAND-TV reports. Robert L. Dautel Jr., 66, of Morrisonville, Ill., died of blunt force injury of the chest due to injuries sustained an accident described as a collision […]
Section: News Wire
Cimarron Valley Railroad marks start of $15 million upgrade project
HUGOTON, Kan. — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and other officials were on hand Wednesday for groundbreaking ceremonies to mark the beginning of $15 million in improvements for the Cimarron Valley Railroad. KSCB Radio reports funding includes money from private sources, from the federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements, or CRISI, grant program, and from […]
U.S. weekly rail traffic continues slide, compared to 2022
WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic saw its largest weekly drop so far this year, measured against 2022 traffic, in the week ending April 8, according to statistics from the Association of American Railroads. Traffic for the week was 451,336 carloads and intermodal units, down 11.2% from the same week a year earlier. It is the […]
MBTA completes purchase of land for new commuter yard
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has completed purchase of 24 acres of land near South Station where it plans to build a new commuter rail layover facility. State House News Service reports MBTA officials announced today they have finalized the $255 million purchase of the land at Widett Circle, a mile from South […]
At least five hurt in Houston collision between light rail train, ambulance
HOUSTON — At least five people were injured Tuesday night when a METRORail train and Houston Fire Department ambulance collided in downtown Houston, according to media reports. KPRC-TV reports the accident occurred about 9 p.m. when the light rail train hit the ambulance as it was making a turn in the 6500 block of Fannin […]
British effort seeks to build new 0-4-4 tank engine
SHILDON, England — British rail enthusiasts have formed several groups to build new steam locomotives as part of the United Kingdom’s thriving heritage rail industry. The trend began with the building of the A1 Tornado, which in 2008 became the first main line steam locomotive built since the end of the steam era. Such a […]
Metrorail rail operator who used automated system is out, safety agency says
WASHINGTON — The DC Metrorail train operator who ran a train using Metro’s Automatic Train Operation system, which has been out of service since 2009, “will not be returning to duty,” according to the head of the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission. The Washington Post reports commission CEO David L. Meyer told the commission’s board on […]
Stadler to host Railway Interior Innovation Summit in Salt Lake City
SALT LAKE CITY — Stadler will host RedCabin’s Railway Interior Innovation Summit on April 18-20, featuring an exclusive tour of the Stadler facility including its assembly and production areas. The three-day event will feature interior developments to enhance the passenger onboard experience, including a keynote presentation on transit interiors by the Utah Transit Authority; a […]
Labor leaders welcome FRA’s train makeup safety advisory, while railroads emphasize their train-building tools and techniques
Rail labor leaders welcomed the safety advisory that the Federal Railroad Administration issued last week that encourages railroads to take steps to reduce the in-train forces that can cause long trains to derail. Railroads, meanwhile, said they were reviewing the advisory to make sure their operating practices are in line with the FRA’s recommendations. “For […]
Norfolk Southern tightens train makeup standards for long trains
ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern has tightened its train makeup standards for long, heavy trains in order to reduce the in-train forces that can cause derailments. The new restrictions — part of the railroad’s broader push on safety in the wake of the disastrous Feb. 3 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio — have caused significant increases […]
Pacific Surfliner between L.A. and San Diego, Metrolink service to Oceanside to resume
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — The long disruption of Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink service in south Orange County is about to end. As of Monday, April 17, full daily Pacific Surfliner service between Los Angeles and San Diego — halted in September 2022 — will resume, as well as Metrolink service to Oceanside, Calif. Passenger traffic […]
Patriot Rail to serve new Denver-area industrial park
DENVER — Infrastructure company Rocky Mountain Industrials Inc has reached agreement with Patriot Rail Co. to provide service at the Rocky Mountain Rail Park, a 620-acre project some 29 miles east of downtown Denver in Adams County, Colo. The development features direct interchange with Union Pacific and is adjacent to Interstate 70. “The RMI team […]