KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Oscar Del Cueto, president of Kansas City Southern de Mexico, has been appointed president of the Mexican Railroad Association (AMF) by unanimous vote of the association board of directors, KCS announced. It is his second term as president, following one in 2020-21. Del Cueto joined KCS de Mexico in 2006 and […]
Dynamic brakes The primary way to stop a train is using the air brake system located on the trailing freight cars behind the locomotives. A locomotive equipped with dynamic brakes can be a powerful tool for the engineer to help stop or control the speed of the train in addition to the train brakes. While […]
STONINGTON, Ill. — A 69-year-old worker at a grain elevator was killed and a Norfolk Southern train was derailed after a collision between the train and a Trackmobile on Friday. WAND-TV reports the employee of the Legacy Grain Cooperative was operating the railcar moving equipment when it crossed into the path of the oncoming NS […]
MONTREAL — Issues ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to the financial impacts of the war in Ukraine have led to the latest delay in opening the first segment of Montreal’s Réseau express métropolitain light rail system, officials of the organization building the REM said on Friday. The CBC reports Jean-Marc Arbaud, CEO of CDPQ Infra […]
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has denied a bid by the owner of the Skunk Train tourist operation to acquire 13 miles of abandoned Northwestern Pacific right-of-way, increasing the likelihood the entire route will become a public trail. In a Thursday decision, the board ruled that Mendocino Railways, the Skunk Train owner, “has failed […]
WASHINGTON — The Rail Passenger Association is asking for an expedited federal review of the disastrous 19-hour trip of an Amtrak Wolverine train earlier this month — a 304-mile trip that should take less than six hours — and is asking to be allowed to observe that review when it takes place. That Oct. 7 […]
OTTAWA — The Safety Order issued Thursday by Transport Canada appears to require VIA Rail Canada to continue to use unoccupied end-of-train buffer cars through 2023, and recommends “operational measures and additional analysis” until VIA undertakes “a structural reinforcement and repair program” of its entire heritage fleet of stainless steel, head-end-power rolling stock. The […]
LOWELL, Ark. — Railroads’ intermodal service improved considerably during the third quarter, J.B. Hunt executives said this week on the company’s earnings call. “Rail service has shown real signs of improvement in both velocity and reliability during the quarter with positive momentum building, the most notable increase coming from our friends at the BNSF,” J.B. […]
SACRAMENTO — The California High-Speed Rail Authority has awarded its first contract for design of stations on the initial segment of the rail operation in the state’s Central Valley. The Fresno Bee reports the board has awarded a $35.3 million, 30-month contract for preliminary site planning and design for stations in Fresno, Merced, Hanford, and […]
MONTREAL — Officials will announce another delay in opening Montreal’s Réseau Express Métropolitain light-rail system today, according to media reports. The Montreal Gazette, citing reports from La Presse and Radio-Canada, the French-language arm of the CBC, says the first segment of the system between Montreal’s Central Station and the South Shore municipality of Brossard will […]
WASHINGTON — DC Metro says it is ready to open its Silver Line extension to Dulles International Airport in time for the Thanksgiving Holiday Rush but lacks the equipment to do so — and is blaming the watchdog Washington Metrorail Safety Commission. In a Wednesday press release, Metro said the Silver Line is “operationally ready,” […]
FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Seminole Gulf Railway, devastated by Hurricane Ian, is now estimating it will take $28 million to return the 105-mile railroad in southwest Florida to operation. WBBH-TV reports the railroad hosted government officials on Thursday in an effort to rally support for emergency funding, so the railroad can return to operation […]
