Coaster commuter rail to offer free rides for 30th anniversary

Man speaking at podium on station platform with blue railcar in background

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego-area Coaster commuter rail service will celebrate its 30th anniversary by offering free rides this Thursday, Feb. 27. The service launched on Feb. 27, 1995, offering six trains during the morning commute and six in the evening. It has grown to include 15 round trips weekdays (with a 16th on […]

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Funds for Pennsylvania rail projects caught in federal spending uncertainty

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s transportation secretary said last week he’s “hesitant to go forward” with projects awarded federal funding — including one to increase capacity for an additional round trip of Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian — in light of the uncertain status of those funds under the Trump Administration. “Funds that were discretionary awards, that haven’t been […]

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Patriot Rail debt issuance provides look at company’s finances

Nose-on view of train led by blue locomotive

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Shortline operator Patriot Rail is going to the debt markets for refinancing, prompting all three ratings agencies to weigh in on its issue. Three ratings on the same issue and company at the same issue is unusual. Companies often are satisfied with one or maybe two. But all three were published this […]

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CPKC climate report highlights hydrogen locomotive, biofuel programs

Green and gray locomotive

CALGARY, Alberta — CPKC this week published its 2025 Climate Milestones report, highlighting efforts such as the railroad’s hydrogen locomotive initiative and a biofuel testing program. “Shipping by rail is the most fuel-efficient way to move goods over land and our Climate Mileposts report outlines the steps we are taking to further advance the potential […]

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Railcar company Trinity sees drop in fourth-quarter revenue and profits

Logo of Trinity Industries

DALLAS — Trinity Industries saw revenue and profit fall in the fourth quarter on fewer deliveries of new railcars and said U.S. tariffs are expected to cut industry deliveries by 20% in 2025. On Thursday (Feb. 20), Trinity reported revenue for the three months ending Dec. 31 of $629 million, down from $798 million year […]

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Brian Rosenwald left indelible mark at Amtrak

Head shot of man on city sidewalk

CHICAGO — The Amtrak executive who embraced managerial freedom and risk-taking in the company’s product line era of the mid-1990s to transform the Seattle-Los Angeles Coast Starlight into a “superior service” long-distance passenger train has died. Brian Rosenwald succumbed to colon cancer this week after a long illness. His 40-year Amtrak career began in 1973 […]

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Amtrak extends current Empire Service schedule through April 27

Train arrives at station where a large number of people wait on platform

NEW YORK — Amtrak has extended its current level of Empire Service between New York City and upstate New York through April 27, the company has announced. The current schedule, available at the Rail Passengers Association website, was put in place Dec. 2, 2024, and had been slated to last through March 2. The schedule […]

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Canadian high speed project estimates full service could come in 2041

Logo of Canadian high speed company Alto

MONTREAL — It will be at least 2041 before Canada’s high speed rail line begins full operation, according to the head of the Crown corporation that will oversee its construction. The Montreal Gazette reports that Martin Imbleau, CEO of Alto – the new name for what was previously VIA HFR — said Thursday (Feb. 20) […]

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Driver of fire truck cited for collision with Brightline train

Image of fire truck on grade crossing from locomotive

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — The firefighter driving a Delray Beach fire truck when it was hit by a Brightline train has received a non-criminal traffic citation following an investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. WPEC-TV reports the driver of the truck, David Wyatt, was issued the citation because he did not use “due […]

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FRA to examine California high speed project

Large concrete bridge

LOS ANGELES — California’s high speed rail project, long in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump and his top advisor, billionaire Elon Musk, will be the subject of a compliance review, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said today (Thursday, Feb. 20). KABC-TV reports that Duffy said at a Los Angeles press conference that his agency is […]

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