ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Commuter rail operator Virginia Railway Express will contribute almost $195 million to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s purchase of rail right-of-way from CSX Transportation as part the effort for long-term expansion of passenger service. VRE announced Wednesday it would contribute $119.2 million from the proceeds of a bond sale that closed on June […]
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Three unions have ratified new contracts with Canadian Pacific subsidiaries in the U.S. and eastern Canada, the railroad has announced. The agreements cover a total of about 430 employees on the Central Maine & Quebec in Canada (represented by United Steel Workers Local 1976), the CM&Q in the U.S. (represented by the SMART […]
WASHINGTON — With weekly traffic figures remaining depressed, year-to-date carload traffic for U.S. railroad has slipped below 2021 figures, albeit just slightly, according to the latest figures from the Association of American Railroads. Carload volume for the first 25 weeks of 2022 is down 0.1% from the same period a year ago, after being higher […]
MENDON, Mo. — The Southwest Chief was traveling at 87 mph — just under the track speed of 90 mph — when it struck a dump truck and derailed Monday in the accident that killed four people, including three passengers on board the Amtrak train. National Transportation Safety Board chairwoman Jennifer Homendy provided that information […]
MENDON, Mo. — National Transportation Safety Board investigators spent their first day on the scene of Monday’s fatal Southwest Chief derailment worked to gather information on train speed and other data from the locomotive event recorder, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy told reporters on Tuesday evening. The NTSB also sought to examine video from the P42 […]
DULUTH, Minn. — After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 and necessary repairs, the Federal Railroad Administration has approved the return to service of the Lake Superior Railroad Museum’s Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railway 2-8-0 No. 332. The locomotive was fired up this week and inspected, including setting its three sets of safety valves. […]
CHICAGO — Railroad capital projects to aid or accommodate traffic growth may temporarily slide to the back burner as inflation maintains near 40-year highs, driving up the costs of project materials as well as the interest rates to finance such projects. Those making decisions on projects and operating within specific capital budgets are likely realizing […]
GATINEAU, Quebec — A Transportation Safety Board of Canada review of outstanding safety recommendations found that none of the nine recommendations regarding rail transportation could be considered have been addressed in Fully Satisfactory fashion, the highest rating available. A Fully Satisfactory rating means a course of action has seen the issue eliminated or substantially reduced. […]
NEWINGTON, Conn. — Most Hartford Line service by CTrail and Amtrak will be replaced by buses for almost two months beginning July 18 to allow the Connecticut Department of Transportation to complete infrastructure projects in Hartford and Windsor, Conn. At Hartford Union Station, the platform canopy will be replaced, with new roofing and lighting over […]
ROCHELLE, Ill. — The Rochelle City Council has approved more than $30,000 for the first part of a three-phase plan to upgrade the Rochelle Railroad Park, the popular facility at the crossing of BSNF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad main lines. The Rochelle News-Leader reports that at a Monday meeting, the council approved a $30,750 […]
MENDON, Mo. — A fourth person, and third train passenger, has died as a result of Monday’s grade crossing accident and collision involving Amtrak’s Southwest Chief, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has reported. USA Today reports that 150 people were injured in the accident, receiving treatment at 10 area hospitals for injuries ranging from minor […]
ORLANDO, Fla. — When Brightline begins constructing its extension beyond Orlando International Airport to Tampa during the next decade, the route won’t include a station on Disney World land or other direct Disney participation. But the Miami-based passenger rail operator and Orlando business interests continue to plan a South International Drive station in close proximity […]
