Amtrak public board meeting addresses equipment timelines

Man speaking into microphone as another man listens, with video of both in the background

SEATTLE — The big takeaway from this year’s annual Amtrak Board of Directors public meeting is that the company has momentum to keep growing patronage despite any headwinds that might begin blowing when the Trump Administration and an all-Republican Congress take over in January. The session today (Wednesday, Dec. 4) was held at a ballroom […]

Read More…

Despite tariff talk, CPKC still expects to tap cross-border traffic growth

Freshly painted red and black diesels with gold trim and white letters

PALM BEACH, Fla. — Canadian Pacific Kansas City CEO Keith Creel is confident that free trade will continue in North America despite President-elect Donald J. Trump’s threat to impose 25% tariffs on goods imported from Mexico and Canada. U.S. trade with Mexico and Canada has grown since the Trump-driven USMCA trade agreement replaced NAFTA and […]

Read More…

New York’s Grand Central Madison named world’s ‘most beautiful interior’ of a train station

Interior of new station

NEW YORK — Is the world’s most beautiful passenger station interior in New York City? UNESCO — the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization — says yes, although if you want to get technical about it, the station isn’t in New York City so much as it is under it. Grand Central Madison — […]

Read More…

STB misses its own deadline for issuing decision on CN’s acquisition of Iowa Northern

Freight train with seven red, gray, and yellow locomotives

WASHINGTON — One year ago this week Canadian National announced its $230 million deal to acquire the 218-mile Iowa Northern Railway. Today CN should be 100 days into integrating Iowa Northern into its 18,800-mile system, assuming regulatory approval of the acquisition. Or CN should be licking its wounds, in the unlikely event that the Surface […]

Read More…

Amtrak highlights ridership, revenue, infrastructure gains in fiscal 2024 results

WASHINGTON — Amtrak spent $4.5 billion on infrastructure projects in fiscal 2024, along with setting ridership and revenue records, the company said today. Trains News Wire previously provided analysis on the fiscal 2024 results (see “Amtrak notches ridership and revenue record …,” Trains News Wire, Nov. 25, 2024), but the company’s announcement highlights the overall […]

Read More…

Stadler makes US operations a separate division

White factory building with blue doors

BUSSNANG, Switzerland — Rail equipment manufacturer Stadler will make its Stadler US operation a separate North American division as of Jan. 1, 2025, the company has announced. Current Stadler US CEO Martin Ritter will lead the division and become a member of the company’s management board. “We are now strengthening the location to underscore the […]

Read More…

Ask Trains.com December 2024 compilation

Ask Trains.com December 2024 compilation | Host Cody Grivno tackles tough topics in model railroading and 1:1 scale railroading too! In this episode he addresses your questions about long-term use of lichen scenery material; selecting the ideal Code of trackwork; finding specific freight car couplers; painting a proper blue sky backdrop; plus a wide array […]

Read More…

Mexico budgets $7.8 billion for passenger rail projects in 2025

Map showing planned passenger rail projects in Mexico

MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said last week that the country will spend 157 billion pesos ($7.7 billion) in 2025 as part of its previously announced plan to develop new passenger rail lines, as well as to develop the Yucatán Peninsula’s Maya Train for freight operations. In a Nov. 28 announcement, Sheinbaum said […]

Read More…

Agreement reached for new South Shore route to South Bend airport

South Shore commuter train on S curve

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District has reached an agreement that would allow it to build a new, shorter route into South Bend International Airport, a move that could cut up to 15 minutes off travel times for South Shore Line commuter trains serving the facility. Inside Indiana Business reports that […]

Read More…

Genesee & Wyoming launches Red Deer Railway, its first short line in Western Canada

BENTLEY, Alberta — Genesee & Wyoming Inc. today celebrated the launch of its first railroad in western Canada, the 43-mile Red Deer Railway Limited. RDR runs from Jackson, Alberta, to Homeglen, Alberta, and uses operating rights over Canadian Pacific Kansas City from Red Deer, Alberta, to Chigwell, Alberta, and to Prentiss, Alberta. A direct interchange […]

Read More…