NEW YORK — Train crew shortages that have affected service on Class I railroads this year also have cropped up on short lines, as rail workers seek greener pastures and new hires are hard to find. Genesee & Wyoming, the largest shortline holding company, saw the number of employees leaving the railroad double in the third […]
LONDON — The British government last week published what it called the “Integrated Rail Plan for the North and Midlands,” which sets out plans totalling £96 billion ($130 billion) to build several new rail lines in northern England. However, the plan also contained less welcome news for some parts of the country, providing notification that the […]
WINDSOR, Ontario — The Essex Terminal Railway is celebrating its upcoming 120th anniversary by unveiling a rebuilt SW1200 restored to its original colors. The short line serves industries along 54 km (33.5 miles) of track in Windsor and surrounding Essex County, across the border from Detroit. It commissioned Sarnia, Ont., firm Lambton Diesel Specialists (LDS) […]
WASHINGTON — The DC Metrorail system will continue to operate at reduced levels for the rest of 2021 as the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority works to return its newest railcars to service. The Washington Post reports Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld said Monday that the decision to maintain service at the current level, […]
WASHINGTON — Union Pacific has urged federal regulators to reject the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger application, arguing that it doesn’t contain enough market or operational data to meet requirements — a view subsequently supported by Canadian National. UP, in a filing with the Surface Transportation Board late Friday, said CP took shortcuts in its […]
NEW YORK — Railroads have a stark choice. They can maintain their focus on the operating ratio, continue to bleed traffic to the highway, and lose $177 billion in revenue by 2030. Along the way railroads would shrink in line with declining volume, meaning track would be torn up, real estate sold off, railcars scrapped, […]
CUMBERLAND, Md. — Trains Magazine and Western Maryland Scenic Railroad are pleased to announce the first enthusiast event to celebrate return of newly restored 2-6-6-2 No. 1309, to be held Feb. 25-27, 2022. The three-day event will be limited to 100 participants and will include a night run on the legendary Western Maryland Railway main […]
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — With flood damage to road and rail lines still cutting much of the province off from the rest of Canada, British Columbia has begun rationing gasoline and instituted travel restrictions that will prohibit vehicle traffic on some key highways to commercial transport of essentials such as food, water, and medical supplies. […]
SANTA FE, N.M. — A group of entrepreneurs who purchased the old Santa Fe Southern Railway in 2020 plan to begin offering excursions Dec. 3. “Every train ride will be embedded in entertainment,” Sky Railway co-owner Bill Banowsky told the Santa Fe New Mexican in announcing plans for the new attraction. Santa will be aboard […]
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The North County Transit District plans to revive its regulatory efforts to build a safety fence along its rail line through Del Mar, Calif., saying it has been unable to reach agreement with the city, which opposes the fencing. The San Diego Union Tribune reports the district board of directors, at […]
PHOENIX — Phoenix officials were joined by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg Friday in marking the approval of $158.1 million in federal funding for the latest extension to the area’s light rail system. The Arizona Republic reports the money will fund the $401.3 million, 1.6-mile extension of the northwest portion of the 28-mile Valley […]
NORFOLK, Va. — The Port of Virginia’s board of directors has approved a $61.5 million contract to double the size of the Central Rail Yard at the Norfolk International Terminals. WAVY-TV reports the board also approved an $18 million contract for up to three cantilever rail-mounted gantry cranes and related systems. The two projects will […]
