More Monday morning rail news in brief: Lac-Megantic bypass work to begin in 2021, government says The government of Quebec announced Sunday that construction of a rail bypass around the town of Lac-Mégantic will begin in 2021. The Montreal Gazette reports that the 8-mile line relocation of the Canadian Pacific, away from the site of […]
Magazine: Trains Magazine
GO Transit to add plastic shields between seats
Commuter rail news in brief for July 6: In pilot program, GO Transit to introduce plastic dividers between seats Toronto area transit agency Metrolinx will introduce clear plastic dividers between seats on some GO Transit trains this week, expanding a pilot program that has placed similar dividers on 30 GO Transit buses. Five trains are […]
Dow to sell rail operations to Watco
Still more Monday morning rail news: Dow to sell rail operations to Watco Dow Inc. will sell its rail infrastructure and operations at six sites to Watco for more than $310 million, the chemical giant announced today. The two companies will also enter long-term service agreements to continue to provide service to Dow businesses at […]
Crude-by-rail could be boosted as judge orders pipeline shutdown (updated)
Evening rail news in brief for a very busy Monday: Court orders North Dakota pipeline to shut down; crude-by-rail could benefit Crude-by-rail business could see a surge in business following a court ruling that will shut down the largest pipeline serving North Dakota crude production. The New York Times reports the Dakota Access Pipeline must […]
Forest Service orders Durango & Silverton to stop fire-mitigation efforts
Rail news in brief for a busy holiday weekend: Forest Service stops Durango & Silverton fire mitigation effort The U.S. Forest Service has halted a fire mitigation program by the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad over concerns about the number of trees being cut down. The Associated Press reports the project cleared 100 feet […]
Cracked wheels sideline Ottawa light rail equipment
More holiday weekend rail news in brief: Ottawa light rail equipment sidelined by cracked wheels In the latest setback for Ottawa’s problem-plagued light rail Confederation Line, service will be scaled back after defective wheels were found on several light rail vehicles. The CBC reports that service was disrupted Friday when a cracked wheel was found […]
Restoration of Reading 2100 receives boost from Reading & Northern
American Steam Railroad, which is restoring Reading T-1 4-8-4 No. 2100, has received a notable assist in its efforts from the Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad, which is restoring sister locomotive No. 2102. While visiting the Reading & Northern shops in Port Clinton, Pa., to inspect the progress on 2102, the American Steam group […]
Colorado Railroad Museum to debut restored RGS No. 20 on Aug. 1
More Thursday morning rail news: Colorado Railroad Museum sets debut for Rio Grande Southern No. 20 Rio Grande Southern No. 20 will make its public debut at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, Colo., on Aug. 1, marking the conclusion of a 14-year, $1.5 million restoration for the narrow gauge 4-6-0 built in 1899. Built […]
Derailment blocks UP line in Texas (updated)
Wednesday afternoon rail news in brief: Severe weather leads to UP derailment in Texas (updated) Union Pacific has informed customers that its route between Fort Worth, Texas, and El Paso has been disrupted by a derailment near Colorado City, Texas, caused by “a severe-wind weather event.” It is warning that shipments through the area could […]
CN gets approval for double-tracking on former EJ&E near Elgin
CHICAGO — Canadian National has won federal regulatory approval to double track more than four miles of its former Elgin, Joliet & Eastern route near Elgin, Ill., a project the railroad says will eliminate a chokepoint and improve the flow of rail traffic in and around Chicago. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a […]
Virgin Trains high speed project gets more time to sell bonds
Tuesday morning rail news in brief: Virgin Trains Las Vegas project gets extension to sell bonds The Virgin Trains USA subsidiary seeking to build a high speed rail line between Southern California and Las Vegas has received a five-month extension on its efforts to sell $3.25 billion in private activity bonds to help fund the […]
Restoration work begins on CN 6060
Rail preservation and museum news in brief: Work begins on CN 6060 Work has begun to restore Canadian National No. 6060, the semi-streamlined 4-8-2 which had a heralded excursion career beginning in 1972 but has been inactive since 2011 and stored in Stetler, Alberta. The Rocky Mountain Rail Society is working to restore the locomotive, […]