Empire Builder encountered track defect before fatal Montana derailment

Still from locomotive on-board camera, with red square higlighting track defect

WASHINGTON — Amtrak’s Empire Builder ran through a track misalignment in a curve — distinctly visible in a still from the lead locomotive’s onboard camera — just before its September 2021 derailment in Joplin, Mont., according to information contained in more than 3,100 pages of documents released Tuesday by the National Transportation Safety Board. The […]

Read More…

Metra faces delay in plan for battery conversion of F40s

Locomotive rounds curve at station

CHICAGO — Metra’s plan to convert at least three of its oldest F40PH-3 diesel locomotives to battery power is on hold after the commuter operator was “not able to secure an agreement” on a contract, Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski said Friday. Derwinski, responding to a question during a joint presentation with South Shore President/General […]

Read More…

Unifor workers ratify new contract with Canadian Pacific

Logo of Canadian union Unifor

MONTREAL — Canadian Pacific mechanical workers represented by Canadian union Unifor have ratified a two-year contract with CP, the union announced Thursday. The agreement, which runs through Dec. 31, 2024, covers approximately 1,200 workers who maintain and inspect locomotives and freight cars, and produce components for rolling stock and track. The union said the agreement […]

Read More…

Trains LIVE – Ridin’ the Rail Gliders

railcycle vehicle on train track

Trains LIVE: Ridin’ the Rail Gliders — 2-15-2023 — On tourist railroads, railcycles are gaining in popularity. These human-powered, peddle-driven cruisers offer a relaxed way to travel the rails while exercising as if on a recumbent bike. As the Colebrookdale Railroad of Boyertown, Pa., found out, all railcycles are not created equal. Then again, the […]

Read More…

Trains LIVE – Ridin’ the Rail Gliders

railcycle vehicle on train track

Trains LIVE: Ridin’ the Rail Gliders — 2-15-2023 — On tourist railroads, railcycles are gaining in popularity. These human-powered, peddle-driven cruisers offer a relaxed way to travel the rails while exercising as if on a recumbent bike. As the Colebrookdale Railroad of Boyertown, Pa., found out, all railcycles are not created equal. Then again, the […]

Read More…

Hydrogen-powered trains struggle with winter weather

White and blue hydrogen-powered multiple-unit passenger train runs on double-track main

The first winter intended to see regular use of hydrogen-powered passenger trains in Germany has not gone smoothly, with service disrupted by both equipment delivery and operational issues. The trains entered regular service in mid-2022 [see “World’s first hydrogen trains enter regular passenger service,” Trains News Wire, July 26, 2022]. Prototype trains had been running […]

Read More…