BLET ratifies contracts with CPKC, SEPTA

Logo of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have ratified new contracts with CPKC’s former Soo Line territory in the U.S. and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, the union has announced. Ballots were counted on Thursday, Dec. 11, in both ratification votes, but details of the voting were not released. The […]

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Amtrak’s union workers to receive $900 bonus

Bilevel train at station platform

WASHINGTON — More than 18,000 union workers at Amtrak will receive $900 holiday bonuses to mark the company’s record year of ridership and revenue, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced. The worker bonuses announced today (Dec. 11) come as Amtrak executives have agreed to forgo 50% of the bonuses that would have been paid out […]

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Two Disney steam locomotives turn 100

Disney World locomotive No. 3, a green 4-6-0 steam engine. Two Disney steam locomotives turn 100.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Two of Disney World’s steam locomotives have reached the century mark. No. 3, Roger E. Broggie, and No. 1, Walter E. Disney, both 4-6-0s, were both built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1925. Both have been part of the Disney World roster in Florida since the park opened in 1971. […]

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VIA passengers stranded overnight on corridor trains (updated)

VIA Rail Canada logo

BROCKVILLE, Ontario — Cascading delays following a mechanical issue with one train led to VIA Rail Canada passengers being stuck on Ottawa-Toronto trains overnight before finally being transferred to another train, arriving at their destination more than 12 hours late. The problems that began Tuesday night continued into Wedesday, with some trains arriving more than […]

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Sierra Northern, Operation Toy Train bring holiday toy drive to Southern California

Open-platform private car with Christmas Lights at back of train

FILLMORE, Calif. – Sierra Northern Railway’s Ventura Division hosted a Dec. 6 toy drive in partnership with Operation Toy Train on its line from Piru to Ventura, Calif., operating a train between Ventura and Santa Paula and using trucks from Fillmore to Piru. A specially decorated train consisting of a genset locomotive, open-air car, and […]

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FRA issues safety alerts to warn railroads about grade crossing incidents

Rail workers riding on hopper car

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration on Thursday issued a pair of safety alerts related to recent grade crossing accidents that killed railroaders or motorists. In a safety advisory, the FRA emphasized the importance of crews determining that track is clear prior to making shove movements through crossings that are not protected by gates. “This […]

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Washington flooding spurs Cascades, Empire Builder cancellations

Passenger train in snow

SEATTLE — Flooding in parts of Washington state have disrupted the Seattle section of Amtrak’s Empire Builder, as well as Amtrak Cascades service. Both Cascades round trips between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, have been canceled today and tomorrow (Dec. 11-12) “due to the anticipated flooding of the Skagit River through Mount Vernon,” Amtrak said […]

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News photo: 2025 CPKC Holiday Train traversing Wisconsin (with video)

Diesel-powered trains with holiday lights stopped at a station

HARTLAND, Wis. — The former Milwaukee Road main line across Wisconsin has been welcoming the return of CPKC’s Holiday Train for the 2025 season. The tour across the Badger State began on the evening of Dec. 9, with public whistle stops in Sturtevant and Caledonia, Wis., before overnighting in Milwaukee’s Muskego Yard. The train was […]

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Amtrak, LIRR update work on East River Tunnel project

Interior of railroad tunnel

NEW YORK — Amtrak and Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials say the East River tunnel rehabilitation project is on schedule after six months, with repairs on the first of two tunnels to be completed by July. The operators addressed progress on the tunnel project with local media on Wednesday (Dec. 10), with Laura Mason, Amtrak executive […]

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National Railroad Hall of Fame announces 2025 inductees

Logo of the National Railroad Hall of Fame

GALESBURG, Ill. — Former Norfolk Southern CEO David Goode, 1880s Santa Fe President William Strong, and former Santa Fe CEO John Reed are the 2025 inductees to the National Railroad Hall of Fame, the Galesburg-based organization has announced. The honorees were selected by the Hall of Fame’s national Rail Industry Advisory Group from among nine […]

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