Specially wrapped locomotive part of NJ Transit observance of Autism Acceptance Month

Blue electric locomotive with multicolored infinity sign on front and sides

NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit is recognizing Autism Acceptance month with events including wrapping one of its locomotives to promote acceptance, and featuring station announcements recorded by neurodiverse children. “NJ Transit is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming transit system that reflects the diverse communities we serve,” NJ Transit Board Chair Fran O’Connor said […]

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APM Terminals acquires Panama Canal Railway from CPKC and Lanco Group/Mi-Jack

Container train next to body of water

CALGARY, Alberta – Canadian Pacific Kansas City and the Lanco Group/Mi-Jack have sold the Panama Canal Railway to APM Terminals, a global terminal operator and an independent division of A.P. Moller-Maersk. The 47.6-mile railway provides ocean-to-ocean freight and passenger services along the Panama Canal and has been a 50/50 joint venture between CPKC subsidiary Kansas […]

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Overnight dreams — Lunatrain targets the Northeast: Analysis

Rendering of one-person sleeping compartment on train

Second of two parts Two companies, Dreamstar Lines and Lunatrain, are seeking to revive U.S. interest in overnight train travel, noting the resurgence of such trips in Europe. Part one of this analysis (available here) looked at Dreamstar, which is focused on service between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Today, part two looks at Lunatrain, […]

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Texas legislation on roadways seeks to hinder high-speed rail development

Texas Central logo

AUSTIN, Texas — In the latest move by opponents of high speed rail in Texas, a state legislator has introduced a bill that to prevent state and local funding to alter roadways to accommodate high speed projects. House Bill 1402 was introduced by Rep. Cody Harris (R-Palestine). It would amend a law passed in 2017 […]

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Classic railway preservation

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Colorado Railroad Museum founder Bob Richardson moves a three-way switch at the Narrow Gauge Museum south of Alamosa, Colo., in the mid-1950s. This was the initial gathering point for the collection before it moved to Golden in 1958. The Mears Junction sign is from the place where the Rio Grande’s Marshall Pass and Valley narrow […]

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Intermodal likely to face volume headwinds due to economic uncertainty, analyst says

The only thing that’s certain these days, intermodal analyst Larry Gross says, is uncertainty. And that makes it difficult to whip up an accurate short-term intermodal forecast, he told an Intermodal Association of North America webcast today. But Gross says that gathering economic storm clouds — new tariffs, the end of an import surge, diminishing […]

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Transit agency requests emergency permit to address threats to Southern California’s Surf Line

Passenger train on single track next to palm trees and beach

ORANGE, Calif. — Citing “ongoing threats” to service on the Surf Line route used by Amtrak, Metrolink, and BNSF Railway, the Orange County Transportation Authority on Monday (March 31, 2025) submitted an emergency permit request to the California Coastal Commission for stabilization work above the rail line in San Clemente, Calif. The OCTA says the […]

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Alstom signs seven-year contract extension for JFK AirTrain

Automated train on elevated right-of-way

NEW YORK — Alstom has signed a seven-year contract extension to continue to operate and maintain the AirTrain at New York’s JFK International Airport, the company announced. The contract with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is worth approximately $518 million. Alstom designed and built the AirTrain system and has been operating […]

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CN train derails in Manitoba

Canadian National logo

BRANDON, Manitoba — No injuries resulted when 15 cars of a Canadian National train derailed Monday evening in downtown Brandon, disrupting rush-hour traffic. CTV News reports the derailment occurred about 5 p.m., blocking 6th Street between McTavish and Van Horne avenues. The railroad said the derailed cars included one carrying fertilizer, three with potash, and […]

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Machinists union, rail carriers announce tentative agreement

Logo of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — The International Association of Machinists has reached a tentative agreement on a new five-year agreement with the National Carriers Conference Committee, the bargaining group for Class I and other railroads. The agreement covers about 4,900 IAM members working at BNSF, Norfolk Southern, Canadian National, Belt Railway of Chicago, Conrail, Terminal Rail, […]

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Private operators’ overnight-train dreams: Analysis

Illustration of locomotive at night between landmarks of Los Angeles and San Francisco

First of two parts Before jets dominated air travel and a fully developed, publicly funded interstate highway system crisscrossed the U.S., many North American city pairs were linked by dusk to dawn passenger trains. Two companies are seeking to revive that travel option. Prospective U.S. operators Dreamstar and Lunatrain are citing a recent resurgence of […]

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