BNSF coal train derails in Texas

BNSF Railway logo

BRENHAM, Texas — Seventeen cars of a 127-car BNSF coal train derailed Tuesday (Dec. 24, 2024), near the town of Brenham, KHOU-TV reports. No injuries resulted but at least one grade crossing is facing an extended closure. The derailment occurred about 9:30 a.m. at the New Wehdem Road grade crossing adjacent to State Route 36, […]

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News Wire top stories of 2024, No. 7: Caltrain electrification

People on platform taking photos of new train

The switch to full electrification between San Francisco and San Jose came on Sept. 21 (San Jose-Gilroy service is still diesel powered), and ridership showed an immediate jump. In October, the first full month of electrified service, ridership increased 54% from the same month a year earlier. The average weekday ridership was up 38% at […]

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Pittsburgh transit agency victim of ransomware attack

Gray light rail trainset

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Regional Transit is investigating a ransomware attack on its operations that slowed light rail operations last week — a problem originally believed to be a computer glitch. The agency announced on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, that it has “launched an investigation, activated its Cyber Incident Response Team, notified law enforcement, and engaged […]

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Amtrak service restored on Northeast Corridor

Long-distance passenger train behind elecric locomotive on S curve

NEW YORK — Amtrak says service has been fully restored between New York’s Penn Station and Philadelphia. The company said “all services are operating” in a post shortly before 8 a.m. ET today (Dec. 24, 2024) on its Northeast Corridor alerts feed on X.com. However, Amtrak also reports that Acelas No. 2154 (a 7 a.m. […]

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News Wire top stories of 2024, No. 8: Amtrak’s investment priorities dictate capacity and pricing

Bilevel train at station platform

Amtrak carried more passengers in its 2024 fiscal year (October 2023-September 2024) than at any time in the company’s 53-year history. The milestone was achieved primarily by adding Northeast Corridor frequencies and deploying enough passenger cars on its main East Coast artery to meet expanding travel demand. Nationwide, however, it was a different story. While […]

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Italy’s Trenitalia best, Eurostar worst in European rail passenger rankings

High speed train at station

BRUSSELS, Belgium — If you’re considering train travel in Europe, you can expect to do well in Italy. On Eurostar, it’s another matter. Italy’s Trenitalia is the best rail passenger operator in Europe, while Eurostar — the international operator linking London to Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris — is the worst overall, according to rankings released […]

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CPKC Holiday Train raises more than $1.75 million, collects more than 65 tons of food

Train decorated with Christmas lights at twilight

CALGARY, Alberta — The Canadian Pacific Kansas City Holiday Train program raised more than Ca$1.75 million and collected more than 130,000 pounds of food for local food banks during its four-week run in the United States and Canada, the railroad said on Monday, Dec. 23. Additionally, the CPKC Holiday Express, which continues a program launched […]

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UP derailment blocks route to ports of LA and Long Beach

Derailed locomotives

CARSON, Calif. — No injuries were reported when four locomotives and five cars of a Union Pacific train derailed today (Monday, Dec. 23) on the Alameda Corridor route connecting UP and BNSF Railway to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The derailment occurred about 1 p.m. near the intersection of Carson and Alameda […]

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Colorado, Union Pacific reach deal on new Moffat Tunnel agreement

Yellow locomotive and passenger cars at tunnel.

  DENVER — The state of Colorado will not have to pay a fee to Union Pacific to use its track for a Denver-Craig passenger train, while the railroad will no longer pay the state annually for use of the 6.2-mile Moffat Tunnel under a new 25-year agreement announced today (Monday, Dec. 23, 2024). The […]

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New Amtrak board members ready for the challenge: Analysis

Single-level, long-distance passenger train on multi-track main line

WASHINGTON — Just before adjourning last weekend, the U.S. Senate confirmed four nominees to Amtrak’s Board of Directors who are in position to bring different perspectives and active oversight to the organization. The last-minute legislative action early Saturday morning was championed by Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) [see “Senate confirms four for Amtrak […]

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Rockslide sends cars of CPKC grain train into river in British Columbia

CPKC logo

BOSTON BAR, British Columbia — Twelve cars of a CPKC grain train were sent into the Fraser River by a rockslide on Sunday, Dec. 22, CTV News reports. No injuries were reported. A Canadian National spokeswoman told the network that the incident occurred on the CN main line near Boston Bar. CN and CPKC operate […]

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BNSF and J.B. Hunt keep Quantum intermodal service on-time performance pegged above 95%

FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway and J.B. Hunt have been able to maintain above 95% door-to-door on-time performance for their Quantum premium domestic intermodal service through the fall peak season. “In October, BNSF achieved record intermodal volumes, a testament to our growing capabilities and commitment to excellence, then ramped immediately into peak season. Throughout […]

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