POWELL, Texas — Severe weather is believed to have played a part in the derailment of a Union Pacific train Wednesday evening in Powell, WFAA-TV reports. About 26 cars of an intermodal train derailed during a period that the Navarro County Office of Emergency Management says included storms with winds up to 80 mph. No […]
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Metra considers significant changes to fare structure
CHICAGO — Commuter rail operator Metra would simplify its fare structure — but replace or eliminate some passes introduced since the COVID-19 pandemic— under a new proposal for 2024. The proposal was unveiled Wednesday, and the commuter operator is now seeking public comment. Metra says the intent of the plan is to create an easily […]
Rail accidents increased in Canada in 2022, TSB reports
GATINEAU, Quebec — Rail accidents and other incidents in Canada increased in 2022 from 2021, but remain below the level of the 10-year average, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said in its annual review of transportation statistics released on Wednesday. The review of events reported to the TSB across all modes of transportation also […]
Australian mining rail line reopens after derailment of autonomous train
KARRATHA, Australia — Mining company Rio Tinto has reopened the Western Australia rail line that had been shut down by the derailment of an autonomous train hauling iron ore, with a company official telling the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that autonomous operation was not a factor. About 30 cars derailed on Saturday of a train moving […]
Minor leaguer’s home run hits passing train
WORCESTER, Mass. — When Trains Magazine wrote about baseball parks near railroad tracks (“High iron baseball,” June 2023), one of the qualifications for the article was the ability to see trains pass from within the ballpark. Worcester’s Polar Park didn’t make the magazine — although it’s in this Trains.com article — but it’s clear it […]
Austin, Texas, sets 10-day commuter rail shutdown in July
AUSTIN, Texas — CapMetro commuter rail service will be suspended from Wednesday, July 5, to Friday, July 14, the transit agency has announced, to allow for maintenance along the rail road and work on McKalla Station, a new stop near Q2 Stadium, the home of Austin’s Major League Soccer team. That station is scheduled to […]
U.S. weekly rail traffic shows more moderate decline
WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic for the week ending June 17 was one of the mildest weekly declines this year, according to statistics from the Association of American Railroads. Overall traffic was 477,126 carloads and intermodal units, down just 3% from the same week in 2022. That included 228,724 carloads, up 1.2%, and 248,402 containers […]
Brightline celebrates completion of Orlando route construction
ORLANDO, Fla. — With a display of civic support from mayors along its route, Brightline has celebrated completion of construction on its route to Orlando, as well as the contribution its employees have made in forging a unique passenger rail operation. The event today (Wednesday, June 21) at Brightline’s Orlando International Airport station comes as […]
Federal proposal would require railroads to maintain, provide information on hazardous materials in train consists
WASHINGTON — A new proposal from the federal government would require railroads to maintain updated electronic information on hazardous materials in train consists, and to transmit that information to local first responders as soon as the railroad is aware of an incident. The Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration announced the proposed […]
Norfolk Southern to fund $25 million renovation of East Palestine park
EAST PALESTINE — East Palestine’s city council has approved a master plan for revitalizing the city’s main park, a project being funded entirely by Norfolk Southern. The park improvements are expected to cost more than $25 million, bringing the railroad’s total financial commitment to the community since the Feb. 3 derailment to approximately $62 million, […]
CPKC and Americold team up to locate cold storage facilities along rail network
CALGARY, Alberta — A global operator of temperature-controlled warehouses will locate facilities along the CPKC network, the railway and Americold Realty Trust announced on Wednesday. The first cold storage facility under the collaboration deal will be built in Kansas City, Mo., which is on the route of CPKC’s new Mexico Midwest Express intermodal service linking […]
Ask Trains.com June 2023 compilation part two
Ask Trains.com June 2023 compilation part two: Cody Grivno answers questions regarding figures seen in the pages of Model Railroader, the compatibility of track from different manufacturers, and more! Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? We’d love to hear from you! Send us […]