CHICAGO — Metra has opened a new $27 million station on Union Pacific’s North Line. The Peterson/Ridge station opened May 20. It includes two six-car platforms; heated concrete stairs and ADA-compliant ramps; a glass and masonry warming house with side canopies and metal roof; two shelters with on-demand heating; an access drive with a cul-de-sac […]
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Wisconsin governor proposes passenger trains to NFL Draft
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has proposed running special Amtrak trains to Green Bay during next year’s NFL Draft. In the last few years, the draft announcements have become big business, drawing thousands of people to host cities. The 90th version of the NFL Draft will be held in Green Bay, home […]
Downed catenary halts Amtrak and commuter service between New York and Philly
Amtrak and commuter service between New York and Philadelphia was suspended for hours at the height of the evening rush hour on Wednesday after catenary came down in Kearny, N.J. Service between New York and Newark, N.J., was initially suspended at 5:05 p.m., prompting backups that cascaded along the Northeast Corridor. An Amtrak spokesman told […]
CPKC and Teamsters Canada remain at impasse, with no new contract talks scheduled
Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference made no progress on their stalled contract talks this week and no further negotiations are planned, the railway and union said in updates on Wednesday. Although Wednesday marked the end of a mandatory 21-day cooling off period under Canadian labor law, the Canada Industrial […]
Holiday trains & ‘Polar Express Train Rides’ (2024)
Holiday trains & Polar Express Train Rides (2024) Holiday trains & Polar Express Train Rides (2024): It’s never too early to start planning for a magical train ride with family and friends — especially when tickets go on sale during the spring and summer for some venues. Purchasing a ticket for a holiday ride on […]
Intermodal leads U.S. rail traffic to a weekly gain
WASHINGTON – Total U.S. weekly rail traffic rose 0.9% for the week ending May 18, up 474,886 carloads and intermodal units compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads reported on Wednesday. Total carloads for the week ending May 18 were 214,092 carloads, down 4.8% compared with the same week in […]
Central Railroad of New Jersey No. 113 debuts in 2024 steam season
MINERSVILLE, Pa. — Mid-May marked the return of Central Railroad of New Jersey No. 113 for its 2024 operating season. Back-to-back Saturdays on May 11 and 18 saw the heavy 0-6-0 switcher in steam at its Minersville home for a night photo session and a series of excursions, respectively. Offseason work beforehand focused on general […]
Young Guns in Preservation: Russell Heerdt
Railway preservation is important for museums and tourist railroads. But each non- and for-profit approaches this differently. For Special Events Coordinator Russell Heerdt of the for-profit Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, keeping the doors open, lights on, and wheels turning is a juxtaposition between individual organizations. How did you get involved in rail preservation? […]
Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 to pull public excursion
SILVIS, Ill. — Railroading Heritage of Midwest America and the Central States Steam Preservation Association announced today that Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 will pull a public excursion June 29 on the Iowa Interstate Railroad. According to the two sponsors, the trip is being run as an educational fundraiser to promote railroad safety. The train […]
Coal exports resuming through port of Baltimore
CSX and Norfolk Southern expect to resume normal export coal operations at the port of Baltimore in the coming days now that the 50-foot shipping channel has been reopened in the wake of the deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The March 26 collapse of the bridge following a ship strike blocked marine […]
Second Chicago-St. Paul train shows value of frequency, capacity: Analysis
WINONA, Minn. — The first westbound trip of Amtrak’s new Borealis wasn’t flawless. A “technical problem” with a credit card reader delayed the café car’s opening. A pesky lock on the platform wheelchair lift’s enclosure at the Sturtevant, Wis., stop contributed to delay, as did the decision to open only one vestibule trap at downtown […]
Colorado voters unlikely to be asked to fund Front Range rail project this year
DENVER — It appears a ballot measure to fund Colorado’s Front Range Passenger Rail project will not go to voters until 2026. Colorado Public Radio reports that members of the Front Range Passenger District board said that a 2026 vote would be “the best course of action,” as it would allow the measure to go […]