UP derailment in Normal, Ill.

A Union Pacific intermodal train derailed early Saturday morning in Normal, Ill. Mike Matejka

A Union Pacific derailment Saturday morning in Normal, Ill., has disrupted rail service through the community, with Amtrak cancelling Lincoln Service trains and rerouting the Texas Eagle. A number of grade crossings are also blocked. The city’s mayor told a local newspaper at least 16 cars derailed. There were no injuries. […]

Read More…

CN to hold vote on climate plans at shareholder meeting

CN logo

CN to hold shareholder vote on climate action plan Meeting a request from one of its top shareholders, Canadian National announced it will hold an annual advisory vote at its shareholders meeting on its climate action plan, beginning with this April’s meeting. The action plan includes an annual disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions aligned with […]

Read More…

New York MTA enlists Jerry Seinfeld, other celebrities for mask-use ads

MTA logo

Jerry Seinfeld, Whoopi Goldberg among celebrities recording MTA announcements on mask use, distancing The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has launched a new series of public service announcements, featuring New York celebrities like Jerry Seinfeld, Whoopi Goldberg, and sports broadcaster Michael Kay, to promote mask use and social distancing on public transit. “This has been a difficult […]

Read More…

Metra filing in Union Station dispute draws pointed reply from Amtrak

Chicago Union Station

WASHINGTON — The latest filings in the Amtrak-Metra dispute over Metra’s lease at Chicago Union Station, while peripheral to the primary issues before the Surface Transportation Board, suggest significant antagonism remains between the two parties. In a Feb. 8 letter, Metra’s attorney asked the board to strike a Jan. 29, 2021 letter from Amtrak, saying […]

Read More…

Remembering the Newfoundland Railway

A steam locomotive at the head of a train releasing steam in a rail yard.

History of the Newfoundland Railway When Canadian National closed its rail operations on the island of Newfoundland — the former Newfoundland Railway — in October 1988, it marked the end of common-carrier narrow-gauge railroading in North America. Although other properties have survived or been resurrected as operating museums or tourist lines — think East Broad […]

Read More…

Utah Transit Authority sees revenue gains despite ridership loss

Trains Magazine placeholder image

Boosted by federal aid, Utah Transit Authority sees revenue increase as ridership falls Thanks to federal coronavirus relief funding, the Utah Transit Authority came out ahead financially in 2020 despite huge ridership losses, according to preliminary year-end figures. The Salt Lake Tribune reports the Salt Lake City-area agency saw a 47% loss in ridership, but […]

Read More…