South Dakota Senate votes down Amtrak resolution

Map of rail route between Denver and Minneapolis-St. Paul through South Dakota

PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota’s Senate has voted down a bill calling for support for introduction of Amtrak service in the state. House Concurrent Resolution 6008 calls for state’s congressional delegation and the Trump administration to work for development of a route through the state connecting Denver and Minneapolis-St. Paul [see “South Dakota resolution …,” […]

Read More…

Grain elevators in Minnesota, Manitoba honored by CPKC

Aerial view of grain elevator

CALGARY, Alberta — Minnesota’s Elbow Lake Co-op Grain and Cargill Elva of Manitoba are CPKC’s grain Elevators of the Year for the 2023-24 crop year, the railroad has announced. The award recognizes grain customers for moving high volume from a single loading point while demonstrating efficient railcar loading and a strong commitment to safety. The […]

Read More…

Steam and diesel on the Union Pacific

20190206

June 13, 1950, finds three Fairbanks-Morse H20-44 end-cab road-switchers and 4-8-2 No. 7019 at Union Pacific’s San Bernardino (Calif.) engine house. The F-Ms had taken over Cajon Pass helper chores in 1948. When they were found wanting, UP brought steam back for a spell in 1950–51. Chard Walker photo […]

Read More…

Schedule released for MBTA’s new South Coast Rail service

Map of rail lines in southeastern Massachusetts

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has released the initial schedule for the South Coast Rail service to New Bedford and Fall River, Mass., set to begin on March 24. The debut of the new operation will feature free weekend travel and free parking through the end of April, the MBTA announced last week. […]

Read More…

Cleveland RTA orders 18 more Siemens light rail vehicles

Two-car light rail trainset

CLEVELAND — The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority will purchase an additional 18 light rail vehicles from Siemens Mobility for use on its Red, Blue, and Green lines, Siemens has announced. The order for the S200 LRVs exercises a second option from an initial purchase for 24 of the vehicles made in 2023 [see “Siemens […]

Read More…

Ask Trains.com March 2025

Ask Trains.com March 2025| Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he addresses your questions…regarding both model railroading and 1:1 scale railroading too! In this installment, Cody discusses how to replicate short line operations on a model railroad; what a hypothetical MR&T steam era might have looked like; wire choices for a DCC layout; plus […]

Read More…

AAR says cargo theft cost Class I railroads more than $100 million in 2024

Screen-shot image of container on Union Pacific freight train being looted on Oct. 11, 2024

WASHINGTON — Cargo theft cost U.S. Class I railroads more than $100 million in 2024, the Association of American Railroads says, calling for more federal efforts to address the thefts and more effective prosecution of those arrested. The AAR says in a recently released fact sheet that organized criminal groups are increasingly targeting freight moves, […]

Read More…

Machinists ratify five-year deal with CSX

Logo of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Members of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers have ratified a new five-year agreement with CSX Transportation, the railroad announced today (March 3, 2025). “IAM’s ratification is a testament to the strength of our partnership with union leadership,” CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs said in a press release. “This underscores our […]

Read More…

STB turns down request to review approval of Utah short line

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has turned down a request to reconsider its approval of construction of Utah’s Savage Tooele Railroad. In a decision issued today (March 3, 2025), the board’s four members agreed that those who had petitioned for reconsideration — the Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, Erda Community Association, and two […]

Read More…

Canadian National acquisition of Iowa Northern is finalized

Canadian National and lease locomotive with Iowa Northern locomotives on bridge

MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway and Iowa Northern Railway have officially joined their operations, CN said today (Monday, March 3). “This additional investment in the United States underscores our dedication to delivering outstanding rail service while driving economic growth,” CN CEO Tracy Robinson said in a press release. “CN customers and partners along this network […]

Read More…

FRA personnel cuts could further delay languishing rail initiatives: Analysis

Man in crowd on platform next to passenger train

WASHINGTON — Disbursement of funds from grants awarded under a variety of Federal Railroad Administration continue to be held up by a lengthy approval process involving FRA personnel. These investments are threatened by potential staff reductions at the agency, as well as possible vetos by overseers invoking new Trump administration ideological criteria. Concerned about such […]

Read More…