CPKC: Railroads should focus on interline partnerships, not mergers

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Kansas City said today that Class I railroad mergers are not necessary and that it isn’t interested in participating in an immediate round of consolidation. “We believe that a transcontinental merger would trigger permanent restructuring of the industry and result in a disproportionately large railway whose size and scope would […]

Read More…

MBTA increases top speed on Orange Line to 55 mph

Portion of subway map for Boston

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority announced Monday (Aug. 25) that portions of the rapid transit Orange Line are now operating at 55 mph as of Sunday, Aug. 24. The increase — from a prior speed limit of 40 mph — is on a four-station section at the north end of the Orange Line, […]

Read More…

Buffett: Berkshire will not bid for CSX or Norfolk Southern

Train rounding curve in mountains

OMAHA, Neb. — BNSF Railway wants to date CSX — but has no interest in getting married. Five days after Union Pacific announced its $85 billion deal to acquire Norfolk Southern, Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett and CEO designate Greg Abel told CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs that they would not bid for the Eastern railroad. […]

Read More…

TTX joins RailPulse telematics joint venture

TTX has joined the RailPulse Coalition, becoming the latest member of the cross-industry effort to transform railcar visibility, safety, and efficiency through the adoption of telematics and data standardization. TTX’s entry into RailPulse adds the scale, operational expertise, and fleet management capabilities of North America’s leading shared railcar provider, the companies said today. TTX, which […]

Read More…

BLET members ratify Arizona Eastern contract

Logo of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have ratified their first contract with the Arizona Eastern Railway, concluding a process that began in June 2024 when workers voted to join the BLET. The five-year agreement was ratified by a 22-0 vote, the union announced. The contract includes wages increases and […]

Read More…

Ehernberger Collection at American Heritage Center expands

Page from September 1958 Trains Magazine with two steam locomotive photos.

LARAMIE, Wyo. — Jim Ehernberger, 88, has now been retired longer than his time working for the Union Pacific. Yet, Ehernberger still considers himself a railroad man. Over the years, he has amassed a collection of documents, maps and photographs detailing western U.S. railroad activity. While he previously donated a portion of his collection to […]

Read More…

News photos: East Broad Top honors Kovalchick family

Plaque mounted on locomotive driving whel

ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — The family responsible for saving the East Broad Top Railroad has been honored by the EBT Foundation for its role in preserving the narrow gauge line. In a Saturday ceremony, the EBT dedicated a monument to Fannie and Nick Kovalchick and their family. The Kovalchicks, who operate a scrap metal firm, […]

Read More…

SEPTA service cuts begin

Map of SEPTA rail network showing lines to be cut

PHILADELPHIA — With action to address its funding crisis still stalled, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority on Sunday (Aug. 24) began enacting a 20% service reduction including the elimination of 32 bus lines and reductions to rail service and other bus routes. The cuts begin as Philadelphia schools, which rely on public transportation for both […]

Read More…

Boise, Idaho, takes step toward developing commuter rail service

Map of rail route in Idaho

Add Boise, Idaho, and Anchorage, Alaska, to a list of locations expressing interest in launching commuter rail service. The Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) last week selected commuter rail as its preferred form of future mass transit, based on a study that has been in progress since January 2024. The planned service would […]

Read More…

Maintenance-of-way union ratifies contract with Union Pacific

BMWEDlogo

NOVI, Mich. — Members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division of the Teamsters Rail Conference have ratified a new contract with Union Pacific. The new contract, including raises totaling 18.5% over five years, covers about 6,600 workers at UP, as well as improved vacation policies and health and welfare benefits — terms […]

Read More…