ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Short line holding company Genesee & Wyoming Industries today celebrated the 125th anniversary of its namesake original short line — the 14-mile salt-hauler Genesee & Wyoming Railroad — with an excursion and the unveiling of two heritage locomotives. The gleaming units, C44-9 No. 1899 and GP38-2 No. 125, sport that same orange […]
Section: News Wire
Adirondack to be cancelled in northern New York State, Canada for more than a month: News and analysis
ALBANY, N.Y. — Amtrak’s Adirondack will be cancelled north of Saratoga Springs, N.Y. between May 20 and June 29, passengers already ticketed on the New York City-Montreal train were informed this week. Anyone trying to book a reservation for those dates on Amtrak’s website receives the message, “We do not have any services between the […]
BNSF bridge at Fort Madison, Iowa, reopens after barge strike
FORT MADISON, Iowa — BNSF Railway’s bridge across the Mississippi River between Fort Madison and Niota, Ill., was briefly closed today after having been struck by a barge, but has been reopened, according to authorities. The Hancock County (Ill.) Sheriff’s Office reported the closure at about 1:40 p.m.; police in Fort Madison posted on Facebook […]
Union Pacific releases schedule for Big Boy ‘Westward Bound Tour’
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Union Pacific has released the schedule for Big Boy No. 4014’s “Westward Bound Tour” to Roseville, Calif., and back, which begins June 30, and concludes July 26, and will include one excursion — July 14 from Roseville to Sparks, Nev. The locomotive will be on display for two days in Roseville (July […]
Norfolk Southern shareholders back CEO Alan Shaw but give activist investors three board seats (updated)
ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern shareholders delivered a split verdict today, sparing CEO Alan Shaw while electing three of activist investor Ancora Holdings’ insurgent director candidates and ousting its independent chair, Amy Miles. Investors sent a clear message that ends the bitter proxy fight. They backed Ancora’s desire for change but sought to give Shaw & […]
Maersk begins planning for possible Canadian rail strike
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Shipping and logistics company Maersk has begun developing contingency plans for a possible strike by Canadian National and CPKC crews in Canada, including having ships call at Tacoma, Wash., rather than Vancouver, British Columbia. In a customer advisory, Maersk said it is working with CN, CPKC, and terminal operator DP world to […]
BNSF appeals outcome of Montana asbestos trial
MISSOULA, Mont. — BNSF Railway is appealing the results of a recent trial that found the railroad liable in the deaths of two people exposed to asbestos when mining materials were shipped from the town of Libby, Mont., delaying the start of a similar case, Montana Public Radio reports. In April, a jury found the […]
Santa Barbara agency asks for agreement for launch of Metrolink service
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The board of directors of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments has directed its staff to prepare a formal agreement for commuter rail service between Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, following a meeting of the organization on Wednesday, KEYT-TV reports. The proposal would add an early-morning Metrolink trip for commuters […]
Minnesota DOT provides $9.6 million in funding for 11 freight rail projects
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Transportation has awarded a total of $9.6 million to 11 freight rail projects under the Minnesota Rail Service improvement program, the agency announced this week. Funding, approved during the 2023 legislative special session, supports economic development in regions across the state. “Improving Minnesota’s rail service gives local […]
Sparks from locomotive likely caused fire on CPKC train in Ontario, TSB says
LONDON, Ontario — Sparks from a CPKC locomotive’s exhaust likely triggered the fire that sent burning railcars through downtown London in April, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada has concluded. The CBC reports that the TSB has ended its investigation into the incident based on that conclusion, saying in a statement that “there is nothing that […]
U.S. weekly rail traffic flat for week ending May 4
WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic was even with 2023 levels for the week ending May 4, according to the Association of American Railroads, ending a streak of 14 straight weeks showing gains over previous-year levels. Traffic for the week was 463,106 carloads and intermodal units. That included 213,410 carloads, down 5.1% from the corresponding week in […]
Passenger rail committee launched in central Texas
AUSTIN, Texas — Two Central Texas county judges have announced the formation of a committee to pursue passenger rail service in the region. The Austin Monitor reports that Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Bexar County judge Peter Sakai this week said they have fored the Texas Passenger Rail Advisory Committee, a 24-member group seeking […]