WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has dismissed a complaint from a coalition of rail shippers taking issue with what they characterized as unfair fuel surcharges. The STB’s decision to deny the petition for reconsideration on Dec. 30 is the latest in a long-brewing conflict over fuel surcharges. Railroads say they are simply trying to […]
Trains News Wire Round-up for the week of Jan. 3, 2020 NEWSWIRE
Trains editors discuss all the rail news that’s fit to print for the week of Jan. 3, 2020. This week, Jim and Steve talk about a BNSF Railway derailment in Idaho, a judge’s ruling on a Durango & Silverton lawsuit, and more. […]
BNSF crew briefly trapped after train derails into Idaho river NEWSWIRE
BNSF’s main line to the Pacific Northwest is shut down after this train derailed into the Kootenai River in Idaho on Wednesday. Idaho State Police BONNERS FERRY, Idaho — A BNSF Railway crew was briefly trapped inside a partially-submerged locomotive following a derailment in northern Idaho Wednesday night. BNSF spokesperson Gus Melonas tells Trains News […]
Bombardier to continue JFK Airport AirTrain operation NEWSWIRE
Bombardier’s contract to operate and maintain the AirTrain system at New York’s JFK Airport has been renewed. Bombardier NEW YORK — Bombardier Transportation and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have renewed Bombardier’s contract to operate and maintain the automated AirTrain system at John F. Kennedy Airport, which connects airport terminals with […]
Judge recommends Durango & Silverton wildfire lawsuit moves forward
DURANGO, Colo. — A federal judge in Colorado has recommended the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit seeking costs associated with a 2018 wildfire be thrown out. In July 2019, attorneys for the federal government filed a lawsuit demanding the narrow gauge railroad pay $25 million to compensate the U.S. […]
MBTA derailment to lead to increased crew training NEWSWIRE
BOSTON — Preliminary indications are that a low-speed derailment of a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter train on Dec. 26 came when the train crew attempted to pass through a switch that was not properly aligned, a finding that is sparking plans for more crew training. The MBTA, contract operator Keolis Commuter Services, and the […]
Mobile city council delays Amtrak vote until Jan. 28 NEWSWIRE
MOBILE, Ala. — As expected, the Mobile City Council has delayed its vote on providing funding support for the restoration of Amtrak service to the Gulf Coast. Fox 10 News reports the vote is now set for Jan. 28. Mobile is asked to being commit to providing $2 million to $3 million to match a […]
Six of seven Class I railroads see volume decrease in 2019 NEWSWIRE
Canadian Pacific was the only Class I railroad to show volume growth in 2019. CP eked out 0.9% growth in total traffic, well above the industry average of a 3% decline in total volume measured by carloads and intermodal units, according to a Trains News Wire review of the railroads’ weekly carload reports. CP also […]
VIA remote-service train derails near Winnipeg; five injured NEWSWIRE
VIA Rail Canada’s train from Churchill, Manitoba, to Winnipeg derailed on Tuesday, injuring five people on board. Manitoba RCMP, via Twitter KATRIME, Manitoba — VIA Rail Canada’s remote-service train from Churchill, Man., derailed Tuesday morning near Winnipeg, sending two passengers and three crew members to the hospital. Train No. 692 derailed at 6:44 a.m. at […]
Appeals court affirms Virgin Trains’ right to use private activity bonds NEWSWIRE
Florida East Coast’s single-track right-of-way through downtown Melbourne, Fla., shown in 2014, is being converted to two tracks to support Virgin Trains USA passenger service. An appeals court decision has upheld Virgin Trains’ right to use private activity bonds as part of the funding package for that project. Bob Johnston WASHINGTON — The U.S. Court […]
CP completes acquisition of Central Maine & Quebec NEWSWIRE
Canadian Pacific has completed its acquisition of the Central Maine & Quebec as of Dec. 30. Scott A. Hartley BANGOR, Maine — Canadian Pacific Railway has announced it completed acquisition of the Central Maine & Quebec Railway on Dec. 30. While the regional railroad is now owned by the CP, the deal still needs to be […]
Mobile likely to delay decision on Amtrak funding NEWSWIRE
MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile City Council, which had been expected to vote today on funding to support the return of Amtrak service to the city, is now likely to delay that decision. AL.com reports that the vote is likely to be delayed because council members learned a deadline to submit matching funds for a […]