Latest issue with Maryland’s Purple Line project leads county official to blast former governor

Purple and white light rail trainset parked on curve

BETHESDA, Md. — An official in Montgomery County, Md., has blasted management of the ongoing and much-delayed Purple Line light rail project, saying it will “probably end up being the most expensive light rail project per mile in the world.” The 16-mile, 21-station from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George’s County […]

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Southwest Chief, Missouri River Runner see storm cancellations

Passenger train leaves rooster tail of snow as it runs on three-track main line

The first cancellations of Amtrak service have been announced in advance of a winter storm expected to hit a large portion of the nation this weekend. Earlier today (Jan. 3, 2025), the eastbound Southwest Chief departure from Los Angeles, scheduled for 5:19 p.m. PT, for was cancelled because of the forecast of inclement weather, according […]

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Ten cars of NS train derail in Roanoke

Derailed freight cars in twliight

ROANOKE, Va. — Ten cars of a Norfolk Southern train derailed shortly after departing Roanoke today (Friday, Jan. 3, 2025), WSLS-TV reports. No injuries were reported and no leaks occurred that would pose an injury to the public, a railroad representative told the station. At least one tank car was involved, but firefighters say no […]

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Four members of Delray Beach fire department placed on leave following Brightline collision

Image of fire truck on grade crossing from locomotive

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — Four members of the Delray Beach Fire Rescue Department have been placed on administrative leave while an investigation is conducted into the Dec. 28, 2024, incident that saw one of the department’s ladder trucks hit by a Brightline train. Also, the department said today (Jan. 3, 2025) that the three firefighters […]

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U.S. rail volume remains up in final full week of 2024

Weekly table showing U.S. carload traffic by commodity type, plus overall intermodal volume

WASHINGTON — U.S. weekly rail traffic remained ahead of year-earlier levels for the final week of 2024, the Association of American Railroads reported today (Friday, Jan. 3, 2025). For the week ending Dec. 28, 2024, total volume was 389,700 carloads and intermodal units, a 5.1% increase over the same week in 2023. That included 184,028 […]

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Utah Central workers vote to join BLET

Logo of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Train and engine service workers at the Utah Central Railway have voted to join the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, the union has announced — the seventh short line to join the union since 2023. The vote, certified by the National Mediation Board in December, was unanimous, the union said in […]

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Amtrak warns of potential for cold-weather service issues

Diesel with front caked with snow crosses diamond

WASHINGTON — Amtrak has issued an advisory that a period of extreme winter weather could bring delays or cancellations across its network. A major storm that could leave a path of snow and ice from Kansas to the East Coast is expected to arrive today (Friday, Jan. 3), the Washington Post reports. Winter storm warnings, […]

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LA’s Metrolink offering discounts on monthly passes for January, February following timekeeping issues

Commuter train arrives at station

LOS ANGELES —Metrolink is offering 25% discounts on monthly passes this month and in February in the wake of recent operating issues, the Southern California commuter rail operator has announced. In an end-of-year message posted earlier this week, Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle noted that the agency’s Quality Service Pledge includes a provision for a one-month […]

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Ottawa set to open expanded Trillium rail line

Red and white DMU trainset outside shop building

OTTAWA, Ontario — The phase two extension of Ottawa’s light rail Trillium Line, which includes a connection to the city’s airport, is set to open Monday, Jan. 6, transit agency OC Transpo has announced. The addition will open for limited service for at least the first two weeks, operating from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. […]

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Man arrested after explosive device found on railcar in Idaho

Union Pacific logo without slogan. UP Bailey Yard explosion appear to be accidental.

PAYETTE, Idaho — A 40-year-old Idaho man has been arrested in connection with the discovery of an improvised explosive device attached to a railcar in the town of Payette, the Idaho Stateman reports. Brent Sharrai of Payette was arrested on New Year’s Day after police followed footprints through fresh snow leading from the railcar, which […]

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CSX outreach effort helps employees whose lives were upended by hurricane damage

Matthew Ray, a welder in CSX’s mechanical department, watched helplessly at his waterfront home as Hurricane Helene’s storm surge came barrelling into his neighborhood in Apollo Beach, Fla. “The water came up like no one’s ever seen it here before,” Ray says. “It was incredible how fast it came up. From the time it came […]

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Roberts becomes CEO at Savage

Upper-body shot of man in blue blazer

SALT LAKE CITY — Jeff Roberts has become CEO of Savage Cos., the multifaceted supply-chain company whose businesses include short line railroads and other rail operations and logistics. Roberts becomes just the fourth CEO in the history of the privately held company established in 1946. He replaces Kirk Aubry, who announced plans to retire in […]

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