BERLIN — The countries of the European Union have supported a proposal made by the German government to recreate the “Trans Europe Express” (TEE) system of international trains, which in the 1950s to 1970s represented the best and most luxurious international trains in Western Europe. Partly inspired by the Swedish “flight shaming” movement which seeks […]
Digest: NS coal train derails in Illinois
More Monday morning rail news: NS coal train derails in Illinois Twenty-four cars of a Norfolk Southern coal train derailed in Panama, Ill., Sunday morning, according to a Facebook post by the Chris-Mont Emergency Management Agency. A press release from the agency says the Shoal Creek Fire Protection District was dispatched to the derailment at […]
Digest: New Amtrak station opens in Buffalo
Still more Monday morning rail news: New Buffalo Amtrak station opens Amtrak’s new downtown Buffalo, N.Y., station opened Sunday, with the $28 million structure replacing a building from 1952 that had occupied the same spot. The Buffalo News reports the new building, at 4,800 square feet, is about three times as large as its predecessor, […]
Digest: Canada revises cold-weather rules for hazardous-material trains
Monday morning rail news: Canada revises rules on cold-weather speed restrictions for hazardous-material trains Canada’s Minister of Transport on Friday issued an order modifying previous rules regarding train operation in cold weather, basing the new rule on temperatures rather than a winter date range. As with the previous rule, issued in April [see “Canada issues […]
News Photo: Metra bike car debuts
CHICAGO — Metra’s first bike car — a Pullman-Standard coach with seating removed on half of the lower level, creating space for 16 bicycles — made its debut Saturday, a biking-friendly day of unseasonable temperatures in the 70s. Metra unveiled the car on Thursday, saying its debut had been delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic […]
Digest: Tri-Rail shuts down because of tropical storm
Sunday morning rail news: Miami’s Tri-Rail suspends operations because of Tropical Storm Eta Miami-area commuter railroad Tri-Rail has suspended operations as of today because of severe weather expected with the arrival of Tropical Storm Eta. WFOR-TV reports Tri-Rail will also be removing arms from crossing gates, as is procedure when there are sustained winds of over 35 […]
North County Transit District asks STB to delay action on Del Mar dispute
WASHINGTON — The North County Transit District has asked the Surface Transportation Board to put its proceeding regarding maintenance and safety-fence issues in Del Mar, Calif., on hold. In a Friday letter to the board, the district asked that its request for a declaratory order — protecting its right to perform stabilization work along the Del […]
BNSF reports lower revenue and earnings, but operating ratio improves to 59.7%
FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway posted what’s believed to be a record low operating ratio of 59.7% for the third quarter, despite deep declines in revenue and volume due to the economic impact of the pandemic. BNSF’s third-quarter operating income fell 8.4%, to $1.8 billion, as revenue sank 14%, to $5 billion, the railroad’s corporate […]
Onboard analysis: Scheduling logistics, limited help hobble ‘Zephyr’
Second in a series DENVER — When Amtrak operates its long-distance trains daily, train and engine crews make regular turns back to their home base after a mandated minimum of 12 hours’ rest. On the routes of the triweekly Sunset Limited and Cardinal, longer stays — perhaps days longer — have been necessary, adding extra […]
Norfolk Southern slims down to six divisions
NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk Southern has reduced its number of operating divisions to six from nine, continuing an industry trend toward larger divisional territories. The move was effective Nov. 1, Chief Operating Officer Cindy Sanborn wrote in a memo to employees. The Southern Region, which previously included the Alabama, Georgia, and Piedmont divisions, is now […]
Montana Rail Link paints veterans commemorative locomotive
MISSOULA, Mont. – Fan-favorite regional railroad Montana Rail Link has given us another reason to admire it. The railroad recently repainted EMD SD70ACe No. 4407 in a red, white, and blue paint scheme honoring U.S. military veterans. The locomotive is one of 29 such units on the railroad’s roster. Watch Trains News Wire for more […]
Metra debuts new bike car, will allow bicycles on all trains
CHICAGO — Metra will introduce its first bike car — a coach with room for 16 bicycles, instead of the usual five — on Saturday on the Milwaukee District North Line, and will relax its bicycle policy to allow bikes on all trains across its 11 lines as of Monday, Nov. 9. There will still […]