OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Oklahoma House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved House Bill 2472, a Republican-backed measure to allow law enforcement to fine railroads up to $10,000 for blocking grade crossings for more than 10 minutes. The bill, which enjoys large bi-partisan support, passed by a vote of 92-5, and will now move forward to […]
Zone & Region: Plains & Texas
One child is dead after train-school bus crash in Texas NEWSWIRE
Athens, Texas Google Maps ATHENS, Texas — One East Texas student is dead and one is injured after an Athens Independent School District bus driver drove in front of a Union Pacific freight train on Friday afternoon. The collision took place just after 4 p.m. in south Athens, and left the school bus partially wrapped […]
After big opening weekend, TEXRail considers expansion NEWSWIRE
A TEXRail train passes equipment of the Grapevine Vintage Railroad in Grapevine, Texas. After a big opening weekend, TEXRail has begun considering expansion. Lance Lassen FORT WORTH, Texas — The TEXRail commuter line carried more than 11,000 riders in its first weekend, prompting officials at its parent organization, Trinity Metro, to start talking about expanding […]
Derailment narrowly misses Texas home NEWSWIRE
A UP freight derailed Wednesday in Texas, narrowly missing a house. Ed Miller AUBREY, Texas — A Union Pacific freight train that derailed in Aubrey, Texas, Wednesday morning, narrowly missed a trackside house. CBS station DFW reports that one locomotive and six cars derailed and remained upright. Seven other cars left the tracks and overturned […]
BNSF focuses on regulatory challenges with NRC presentation
MARCO ISLAND, Florida – BNSF Railway’s capital plans for 2019 include a cluster of major bridge projects in Washington state, and pairs of bridges near Quenemo, Kan., and on the Hannibal subdivision in Missouri. Not included is a bridge over the Missouri River at Bismarck, N.D., and therein lies a tale that serves an an […]
Federal shutdown delays TEXRail opening NEWSWIRE
FORT WORTH, Texas— Dallas-Fort Worth area commuters looking forward to the Jan. 5 startup of TEXRail will have to wait until the federal government reopens before riding the area’s newest commuter train. “We have been unable to get clearance to operate the entire 27-mile corridor from the Federal Railroad Administration,” Trinity Metro, the train’s operator, […]
Government shutdown could keep TEXRail from full operation NEWSWIRE
FORT WORTH, Texas — The partial shutdown of the federal government could prevent the TEXRail commuter line from full operation on Saturday, its scheduled opening day. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that the rail line from downtown Fort Worth to DFW International Airport needs Federal Railroad Administration certification for a junction near downtown, where the […]
TEXRail debuts with ceremonial run NEWSWIRE
FORT WORTH, Texas— In the closing hours of 2018, a new passenger train serving the Dallas/Fort Worth area initiated service. TEXrail, a train operated by the Trinity Metro made its maiden voyage on Monday with about 500 dignitaries involved with planning, funding, and building the train on board. The service starts at downtown Fort Worth’s […]
Fort Worth’s TEXRail set to debut NEWSWIRE
FORT WORTH, Texas — TEXRail, the newest element in the Dallas-Fort Worth area’s growing network of commuter and light rail, will make its debut on New Year’s Day, with regular service set to begin Jan. 5. The New Year’s Day kickoff will feature officials from the cities along the route taking a celebratory ride, ending […]
Dallas Area Rapid Transit awards contracts to build Cotton Belt commuter line
DALLAS — Dallas Area Rapid Transit has awarded $872 million in contracts to design and build its 26-mile Cotton Belt commuter rail line, the Dallas Morning News reports. The contract was awarded to a joint venture of Archer Western Construction, based in Irving, Texas., and Herzog Contracting, based in Fort Worth. Construction is scheduled to […]
Oklahoma City streetcars debut NEWSWIRE
An Oklahoma City streetcar engages in testing. The system opened on Friday. EMBARK OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City’s streetcar system debuted on Friday, offering free rides for its first three weeks. The streetcars will serve two overlapping loops, one of 4.8 miles downtown that will offer service six days a week, and one of 2 […]
President George H.W. Bush funeral train video
Watch the Union Pacific funeral train for George H.W. Bush as it crosses Texas. You’ll see SD70ACe No. 4141, painted and lettered for our 41st president, do the honors while thousands of people line the tracks to pay their respects. […]