MBTA adjusts plans for Red Line maintenance work

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority logo

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s extended schedule for its current Blue Line track work is having a ripple effect on upcoming plans for the Red Line. The planned shutdown of the Red Line between Park Street and the JFK/UMass stations will now be held May 2-10, beginning one day later than originally planned. […]

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Fire crews aim to extinguish fire at BNSF derailment Saturday night

Burning railroad cars at derailment site

LUPTON, Ariz. — Crews from New Mexico’s McKinley County Fire & Rescue plan to extinguish the burning cars of a BNSF train tonight (Saturday, April 27), the Albuquerque Journal reports. The train derailed and caught fire Friday afternoon, closing Interstate 40 near the Arizona-New Mexico border and leading to evacuation of Navajo Nation residents within […]

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Tickets on sale for return of Amtrak’s Berkshire Flyer

Amtrak logo.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Ticket sales have begun for the Berkshire Flyer, the seasonal Amtrak service between New York and Pittsfield, Mass. The weekend operation sees trains depart New York on Friday nights and return Sunday afternoon from Pittsfield, beginning June 21 and concluding with Labor Day weekend on Monday, Sept. 2. The train leaves New […]

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Missouri congressman seeks to block two-person crew rule

Trains Washington Watch logo

WASHINGTON — A Missouri congressman has introduced a resolution seeking to nullify the Federal Railroad Administration’s two-person crew requirement announced earlier this month. U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Springfield, Mo.) introduced the Congressional Review Act resolution in the wake of the FRA requirement [see “FRA issues rule requiring two-person train crews,” Trains News Wire, April 2, […]

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News photos: BNSF train derailed by tornado in Nebraska

Aerial view of derailed freight cars

WAVERLY, Neb. — A BNSF train was derailed this afternoon when it was struck by a tornado between Waverly and Lincoln, Neb.. The tornado was one of a series in an outbreak across the Midwest today (Friday, April 26). KSBN-TV reports the incident occurred about 3:25 p.m., according to a BNSF representative. There were no […]

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BNSF derailment, fire close Interstate 40 (updated)

Aerial image of burning railcars

GALLUP, N.M. — A BNSF Railway train derailed and caught fire near the Arizona-New Mexico state line at midday Friday, forcing the closure of Interstate 40, KOB-TV reports. The derailment on BNSF’s Gallup Subdivision about 12:42 p.m. Mountain Time, according to an initial BNSF report to customers. BNSF places the incident near Lupton, Ariz., approximately […]

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STB’s Oberman sets May 10 date for retirement

Man standing in front of banner for Midwest Association of Rail Shippers

WASHINGTON — Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin J. Oberman will retire as of May 10, he announced today (Friday, April 26). Oberman, a board member since January 2019 and chairman since January 21, 2021, had announced his plans to step down from the board last November, but had not set a date [see “STB chairman […]

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SunRail airport connection to Orlando attractions, Brightline Tampa route has $4 billion price tag

Commuter train at Spanish-style passenger station

ORLANDO—A Florida Department of Transportation study released Thursday projects improvements necessary to build a rail link from Orlando International Airport into the Interstate 4 corridor adjacent to convention facilities and theme parks would cost $4 billion. But the report to the board of directors for commuter rail operator SunRail’s indicates the investment would generate huge […]

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Norfolk Southern loses support of engineers’ union in proxy battle with activist investor (updated)

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is now backing activist investor Ancora Holdings and its call for management change at Norfolk Southern. The union’s decision, announced today, is the second in as many days: The union representing maintenance of way workers yesterday swung its support to Ancora. The unions represent 41.5% […]

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CP 2816 begins Final Spike tour

Steam locomotive surrounded by people

CALGARY, Alberta — After its first public display on Wednesday, Canadian Pacific No. 2816 begins the CPKC “Final Spike Steam Tour” today, traveling from Calgary to Medicine Hat, Alta., on the first leg of a two-day trip to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where its next display event is scheduled. The first U.S. display date is April […]

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MBTA extends contract of commuter operator Keolis by one year

Commuter train at station platform

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has extended the contract of Keolis Commuter Services, which operates the agency’s commuter trains, by one year to mid-2027, the CommonWealth Beacon reports. The agency said the extension allows time to develop a new contract arrangement for its future operator that would help provide private-sector funding to help […]

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