News photos: Northern Central’s celebration

Passenger train with replica vintage steam locomotive and 0-4-0T engine.

NEW FREEDOM, Pa. — Northern Central Railway of York hauled more than 500 passengers on six trips during the weekend-long 10th anniversary celebration for the non-profit operation [see “Pennsylvania’s Northern Central Railway to mark 10th anniversary,” Trains News Wire, June 14, 2023]. Trips were powered by the railway’s Kloke 4-4-0 No. 17; Northern Central GP9 […]

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Investigation begins after autonomous ore train derails in Australia

Image of derailed ore hoppers

KARRATHA, Australia — Australian mining giant Rio Tinto has begun an investigation after 30 cars of one of its autonomous iron ore trains derailed Saturday. National broadcaster Australian Broadcasting Corp. reports the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator had been notified. The ONRSR told the Australian Associated Press that initial indications were that onboard […]

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Honolulu rail system to be known as ‘Skyline’

White light rail train with green trim

HONOLULU — Hawaii’s new rail transit system has a new name. The long-delayed, much troubled light rail project — known throughout construction by the name of the agency responsible, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation — was rebranded as “Skyline” on Friday by city officials. A city press release says Skyline was “one of many […]

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NJ Transit okays $19 million for PTC upgrades

NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit will spend $19 million on upgrades to positive train control, keeping its system current with federal regulations and changes made by railroads used by the commuter operators’ trains. NJ.com reports the NJ Transit board approved the spending on June 14. It comes in the form of an amendment to an […]

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NS sells land in Georgia for breakbulk facility

Aerial view of industrial properties with one lot outlined in blue

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Bulk storage firm Colonial Terminals has purchased 16.7 acres from Norfolk Southern in Savannah to develop a breakbulk facility along the Savannah River, the two companies have announced. The land is adjacent to a Norfolk Southern rail terminal and an existing Colonial Terminal riverfront facility. The new rail-served facility should allow in […]

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NTSB releases witness list for East Palestine hearing

Aerial view of derailment cleanup

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board on Friday released the list of witnesses scheduled to appear at next week’s investigative hearing on the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern derailment and hazardous material release in East Palestine, Ohio. That hearing is scheduled for June 22-23 at East Palestine High School and will deal with the decision […]

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NTSB says slack action was probable cause of BNSF yard fatality

Aerial photo of railroad yard with accident notations

WASHINGTON — Slack action was the probable cause of the Feb. 9, 2022, death of a BNSF Railway remote control operator helper who fell from the front platform of his locomotive in Denver, the National Transportation Safety Board said today. “Surveillance video evidence reviewed by NTSB investigators shows slack action in the train consist at […]

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Five scenic highlights aboard Amtrak’s ‘California Zephyr’

While the California Zephyr name continues today under the Amtrak banner, much has changed since the final run of the streamlined predecessor in 1970. What hasn’t changed since the original 1949 debut is the premise from vintage advertisements to “look up, look down, and look all around” when taking the Chicago-Emeryville, Calif. trip. Especially when […]

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