Patriot Rail salutes former CEO Fenton by naming Blue Ridge Scenic station in his honor

BLUE RIDGE, Ga. — Patriot Rail’s Blue Ridge Scenic Railway today named its station in honor of retired CEO John Fenton. The railroad held a dedication ceremony to officially name the depot Fenton Station in recognition of Fenton’s contributions to the scenic railroad, as well as Patriot Rail’s more than 30 short lines. During his […]

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NTSB releases preliminary report on July 6 fatality at UP’s Proviso Yard

Aerial view of scene of fatal accident at Chicago-area rail yard

WASHINGTON — A Union Pacific conductor was killed at Proviso Yard earlier this month when the tank car he was riding during a shoving move struck the side of another train, the National Transportation Safety Board said in its preliminary report issued on Thursday, July 25. The July 6 incident at the yard in Melrose […]

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Nashville-area transit agency considering changes to commuter rail service

Commuter train with purple and silver locomotive

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The WeGo Star commuter rail service is considering operating changes including the introduction of evening and Saturday service, as well as Sunday operation for Tennessee Titans football games. Currently, the service offers six daily round trips, weekdays only, on a seven-station, 32-mile route between downtown Nashville and Lebanon, Tenn., on the Nashville […]

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MBTA approves plan for battery-electric commuter service on Fairmount Line

Purple and silver multiple unit trainset with pantograph

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority board of directors today approved a $54 million plan to introduce battery-electric train service on the commuter rail Fairmount Line. The first train could enter service as early as 2028. Keolis Commuter Services, the contract operator of MBTA’s commuter rail lines, submitted the proposal to introduce battery-electric multiple […]

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Hitachi Rail to build 200 new cars for SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line

Illustration of rapid-transit car at speed

PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority today awarded a contract to Hitachi Rail for 200 new railcars for its Market-Frankford Line rapid-transit fleet. The contract is worth $724.3 million, not including an option for up to 40 additional cars. Delivery of the cars is scheduled to begin in 2029 with completion by the end […]

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Wildfire devastates Jasper, Alberta; shuts down CN and VIA Rail service

MONTREAL — Canadian National’s main line through Jasper, Alberta — which opened briefly on Wednesday afternoon — remains shut down in the wake of a wildfire that burned at least some sections of the resort town to the ground overnight. Firefighters were unable to contain the wind-whipped wall of fire, which quickly advanced on the […]

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Paris expands rail system in time for the Olympics

White tram-style train on mainline railroad

PARIS — The French capital hosts the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer, its third turn as host and first in a century. The Opening Ceremony this Friday, July 26, will be held beside the River Seine in the center of the city, with events running through to the end of the Paralympics on Sept. […]

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NJ Transit orders 36 new EMU railcars from Alstom

Illustration of bilevel railcar

NEWARK, N.J. — The NJ Transit board of directors on Wednesday approved the purchase of 36 Multilevel III electric multiple-unit railcars from Alstom Transportation, increasing to 174 the number of the new railcars ordered since 2018. The order is part of an option of an existing contract with Alstom, at a cost not to exceed […]

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BNSF derailment in Kansas leads to Southwest Chief cancellations

Amtrak logo.

GARDEN CITY, Kansas — An apparently minor BNSF Railway derailment has led to cancellations of Amtrak’s Southwest Chief. Images on the KSNW-TV website show a small number of covered hoppers, perhaps as few as a half-dozen, involved in the derailment. The viewers who provided the photos said the incident was 15 to 20 miles east […]

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CN reopens main lines to key British Columbia ports while monitoring Alberta wildfires (updated)

CN intermodal train stopped in mountain setting

MONTREAL — Canadian National was able to reopen its main line through Jasper, Alberta, this afternoon while keeping a close eye on a pair of wildfires that have been threatening the resort town. “CN resumed rail operations at approximately 12 Noon MST on Wednesday, July 24, through Jasper. In collaboration with the Unified Incident Command […]

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