FRA proposes changes to rail, brake inspection rules NEWSWIRE

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WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration issued two Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Dec. 19 which would allow railroads to change how they inspect track and train brake systems. Officials say the changes will “promote safety innovation and reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens.” “It’s time to modernize existing regulations to permit methods of inspecting, testing, […]

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Massachusetts DOT announces $2.7 million in rail grants NEWSWIRE

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BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has awarded more than $2.7 million in grants to nine projects as part of its Industrial Rail Access Program to improve rail and freight access. Applicants must match the public funds with private funding that pays at least 40% of the project’s total cost. The projects approved Monday […]

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Avalanche derails CP train in British Columbia NEWSWIRE

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ROGERS PASS, British Columbia — A Canadian Pacific train derailed after being struck by an avalanche over the weekend. At 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 21, a CP intermodal train was struck by an avalanche on Rogers Pass in British Columbia’s Glacier National Park. Seven cars derailed in the incident and no one was injured, spokeswoman […]

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Metra launches survey on features for new railcars NEWSWIRE

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Metra trains meet in Western Springs, Ill., in November 2019. The commuter railroad is inviting riders to participate in a survey on possible amenities in new railcars that could replace the familiar bilevel gallery coaches. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — Metra is seeking customers’ opinions on features of new railcars it expects to order soon. […]

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Illinois, Michigan Tech programs win NRC educational grants NEWSWIRE

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WASHINGTON — Programs at the University of Illinois and Michigan Tech are the 2019 recipients of the National Rairload Construction and Maintenance Association’s Educational Grant Program. The Rail Transportation and Engineering Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign plans to use its grant funds for outreach and recruiting of grade K-12 students that demonstrate […]

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Report: KCS interested in operating yet-to-be-built Mexican rail line NEWSWIRE

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MEXICO CITY — Kansas City Southern, rail company Ferromex, and bus company Autobuses de Oriente have already expressed interest in operating Mexico’s Maya train project, even though construction has not yet begun, according to Latin America business site BNamericas. The $6.3-billion project would build a 900-mile tourist route on the Yucatan Peninsula, connecting archaeological sites, […]

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VIA’s ‘Canadian’ reaches Vancouver 27 hours late NEWSWIRE

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An eastbound Canadian rolls through northern Ontario near Sioux Lookout on Oct. 15, 2018. The westbound Canadian arrived in Vancouver, British Columbia, some 27 hours late on Monday, delaying the return trip until Tuesday. Bob Johnston VANCOUVER, British Columbia —Mechanical issues, not Canadian National dispatching decisions, caused VIA Rail Canada’s transcontinental flagship Canadian to finally […]

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UP sues Metra over commuter operations

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CHICAGO — Union Pacific’s desire to get out of the business of operating Metra commuter trains has landed in federal court. Crain’s Chicago Business reports that UP filed suit earlier this week. The exact nature of the dispute is unknown, since the filing is sealed at UP’s request, and neither side provided details in response […]

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