Rail unions negotiating new national contracts with Class I railroads have again requested arbitration as talks remain stalled. Labor and the National Carriers Conference Committee have been working on joint mediated negotiations under the direction of the National Mediation Board. The talks had resulted from the unions’ request to be released from mediation after more […]
Service problems related to crew shortage have cost CSX traffic
NEW YORK – CSX Transportation has lost traffic and failed to capitalize on strong freight demand due to service problems related to its ongoing train crew shortage, CEO Jim Foote says. “How much business are we missing? Lots. This is not minimal. This is not on the fringes. We’re not doing the job we should […]
NEWS VIDEO: New Brightline route drawbridge now operating
Video by Mark Elias, Mark Elias Media Services JUPITER, Fla. — Florida East Coast Railway’s new Loxahatchee River drawbridge that will begin carrying frequent Brightline passenger trains in early 2023 is now being raised for boat traffic and lowered for trains. Dismantling of the former 96-year-old bridge on the site began in mid-April, when accommodations […]
East Broad Top begins restoring main line south
SALTILLO, Pa. – The long-awaited restoration of the narrow gauge East Broad Top Railroad’s main line south – dormant for nearly seven decades – is under way. A three-pronged approach involves EBT Foundation, Inc., full-time staff; a volunteer track gang led by Gene Tucker of the Friends of the East Broad Top; and a crew […]
Railroads’ automotive carloads show signs of improvement: Analysis
CHARLESTON, W.VA. — Class I railroads are hauling more automotive carloads, a possible sign that the auto sector’s supply chain is improving. Association of American Railroads’ weekly carload report reveals in recent weeks that shipments of motor vehicles and parts are exceeding 2020 and 2021 weekly volumes. This could ease a multi-year carload deficit dragged […]
Rail exhibit with items from Barriger Collection now on display in New York City
NEW YORK — The St. Louis Mercantile Library’s Barriger Railroad Collection is the source of an exhibition, “Travelers, Tracks and Tycoons: The Railroad in American Legend and Life,” now on view at the Grolier Club in New York City. The exhibit, which includes more than 150 items , celebrates the 200th anniversary of railroading’s first […]
Engineer concerned about balloon before crash with train
WAUKESHA, Wis. — Bruce Rogers says that when a hot air balloon with people in it was caught in his train Wednesday evening in southeastern Wisconsin, he felt helpless. “The worst thing is watching it unfold and not being able to do something about it,” Rogers tells Trains News Wire. What Rogers says he saw […]
FRA announces CRISI grants for 46 rail improvement projects in 32 states
WASHINGTON – The Federal Railroad Administration on Thursday announced more than $368 million in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program funds to 46 projects in 32 states and the District of Columbia. The grants were awarded to passenger and freight projects, as well as several technology and safety development programs. The Bipartisan […]
3 people in hot air balloon injured in collision with CN freight train
BURLINGTON, Wis. — Three occupants of a hot air balloon sustained life-threatening injuries when their craft collided with a Canadian National freight train on Wednesday night. At 8:15 p.m. on June 1 the Burlington Police Department responded to the 400 block of Calumet Street after receiving a report that a balloon had been struck by […]
Florida receives $15.875 million engineering grant for Brightline route
ORLANDO, Fla. — Brightline’s plan to extend its passenger route past the Orlando Convention Center, Disney World, and down the wide median of Interstate 4 to Tampa got a public boost Wednesday with the announcement that the U.S. Department of Transportation would release a $15.875 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grant. The […]
U.S. rail traffic declines in May
WASHINGTON – U.S. rail traffic dipped 3.7% in May as both intermodal and carloads slumped compared to last year. U.S. railroads originated 928,742 carloads in May 2022, down 35,821 carloads from May 2021, the Association of American Railroads reported on June 1. U.S. railroads also originated 1,102,558 containers and trailers in May 2022, down 4.3%, […]
MBTA operators injured in Green Line collision in Boston
BOSTON – Two MBTA Green Line trains collided and derailed near the Government Center station on Wednesday night. Three Green Line operators were injured in the 9:20 p.m. accident and taken to a hospital for treatment. The collision involved a westbound train with 20 to 25 passengers aboard and an empty train that was just […]