Union Pacific announces management promotions

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific has promoted Josh Perkes to senior vice president and chief human resources officer, reporting directly to CEO Jim Vena, effective Aug. 1. Perkes will be responsible for all human resources and labor relations functions and become a member of the company’s senior leadership team, the railroad said today. “Josh embodies […]

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Test runs begin on DART Silver Line

Silver and yellow diesel multiple unit trainsets

DALLAS — Dallas Area Rapid Transit has begun running test trains on a portion of the Silver Line, the 26-mile, 10-station commuter rail line that will connect Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Dallas and six of its northern suburbs: Grapevine, Coppell, Carrollton, Addison, Richardson, and Plano. Trains began running Monday, July 22, on the eastern […]

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Nashville-area transit agency considering changes to commuter rail service

Commuter train with purple and silver locomotive

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The WeGo Star commuter rail service is considering operating changes including the introduction of evening and Saturday service, as well as Sunday operation for Tennessee Titans football games. Currently, the service offers six daily round trips, weekdays only, on a seven-station, 32-mile route between downtown Nashville and Lebanon, Tenn., on the Nashville […]

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PIKO SmartControl wlan DCC system

Color photo showing components of Digital Command Control system

PIKO is a well-known European manufacturer that has a following among G scale modelers in the United States. More recently, the firm has released HO scale engines for the North American market, including a Whitcomb 65-ton switcher and Krauss-Maffei ML-4000 diesel-hydraulic locomotive. However, PIKO is also a producer of Digital Command Control (DCC) products, ranging […]

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MBTA approves plan for battery-electric commuter service on Fairmount Line

Purple and silver multiple unit trainset with pantograph

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority board of directors today approved a $54 million plan to introduce battery-electric train service on the commuter rail Fairmount Line. The first train could enter service as early as 2028. Keolis Commuter Services, the contract operator of MBTA’s commuter rail lines, submitted the proposal to introduce battery-electric multiple […]

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Rocky Mountaineer cancels Jasper trips ‘for forseeable future’

Passenger train greeted by individuals waving flags.

JASPER, Alberta — Two of tourist operator Rocky Mountaineer’s three Canadian itineraries that originate or terminate in Jasper have been cancelled until further notice as the western Alberta town continues to be ravaged by wildfires. A message late today (Thursday, July 25) on the company website says, “Tragically, there are reports of significant structural damage […]

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Operational improvements propel Norfolk Southern’s second-quarter results

Predominantly red and black Norfolk Southern locomotive on turntable

ATLANTA – Operational improvements helped Norfolk Southern win back service-sensitive intermodal and automotive traffic while driving down costs and boosting the railroad’s profitability in the second quarter. “While our work continues, our second-quarter results represent an encouraging inflection point in our operating performance,” CEO Alan Shaw said on the railroad’s earnings call on Thursday afternoon. […]

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Hitachi Rail to build 200 new cars for SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line

Illustration of rapid-transit car at speed

PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority today awarded a contract to Hitachi Rail for 200 new railcars for its Market-Frankford Line rapid-transit fleet. The contract is worth $724.3 million, not including an option for up to 40 additional cars. Delivery of the cars is scheduled to begin in 2029 with completion by the end […]

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