Metra budget for 2026 calls for fare increases but no service cuts

Commuter train stops at platform with barn-like station in background

CHICAGO — Metra plans a fare increase as part of its proposed 2026 budget, a $1.1 million plan that includes other measures to address a projected $68 million funding shortfall but no cuts in service. The commuter rail agency’s announcement today (Oct. 10, 2025) also includes a proposed $575.3 million capital plan continuing Metra’s work […]

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CN and Congebec partner on cold storage warehouse in Calgary Logistics Park

MONTREAL — Canadian National and and Congebec, a Quebec-based logistics firm, are collaborating on a cold storage facility that will be built at CN’s Calgary Logistics Park in Alberta. The facility will be built within CN’s integrated logistics hub, which will accelerate transloading of temperature-sensitive goods between rail and the warehouse. The companies, in a […]

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Santa Fe’s Fast Mail and Chief

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An A-B-B set of F7’s leads the Santa Fe’s Fast Mail Express toward Los Angeles at West Victorville, Calif., in 1950. The train’s 14-car consist is heavy with baggage, express, and mail storage cars, but it also includes a Railway Post Office car. A baggage-coach combine brought up the rear as a rider car for […]

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Evacuation order lifted after CN derailment

Canadian National logo

NORA, Ill.  — Residents of the village of Nora were to be allowed to return to their homes at 6 a.m. today (Friday, Oct. 10) following a Thursday morning derailment of a Canadian National Railway train that led to the evacuation of about 100 people. The Warren, Ill., Fire Department posted that information, from the […]

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BNSF-CSX interline intermodal service off to fast start

BNSF Railway and CSX are seeing immediate results from the interline domestic intermodal partnership that they announced in August linking the Southwest and Southeast. Over the past six weeks, CSX intermodal volume is up 8%, according to the railroad’s weekly carload reports. Rival Norfolk Southern’s intermodal traffic has declined 6.8% over the same stretch, suggesting […]

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CPKC announces schedule, performers for 2025 Holiday Train

Musician playing with CPKC logo in background

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Kansas City has announced the schedule and artist lineup for the 2025 CPKC Holiday Train, which will see two trainsets bringing live music performances to 196 locations collects food and raises money to support community food banks across the CPKC network. The Holiday Train will launch its 2025 Canadian schedule […]

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Illinois village evacuated after CN derailment

Canadian National logo

NORA, Ill. — About 100 residents of the village of Nora are the subjects of a precautionary evacuation following the derailment of 17 cars of a Canadian National train carrying ethanol early today (Oct. 9, 2025). The Jo Daviess County Emergency Management agency said in a press release that the Warren Fire Department and Joe […]

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Chicago’s Metra rolls out homemade café car

Interior of bilevel commuter car with upper-level seats removed and tables added for cafe service

CHICAGO — From the outside, stainless steel gallery car No. 6103 looks just like any other Nippon Sharyo multi-level coach. But it will soon take turns roaming Metra’s BNSF, Milwaukee District, and Union Pacific routes though mid-November, offering snacks and beverages. The upstairs seating and dual walkways have been removed on one half of the […]

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Sneaker reseller’s arrest tied to continuing surge in rail freight thefts

LOS ANGELES — Authorities have arrested Adeel Shams, founder of popular sneaker resale platform CoolKicks, after discovering more than $500,000 in stolen Nike goods during a raid at the company’s Santa Monica warehouse. Police said the merchandise — including 2,100 pairs of shoes and 150 cartons of apparel, some unreleased — had been stolen from an […]

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Grand Central Station, Chicago

Aerial view of brick passenger station alongside river

The Baltimore & Ohio’s passenger terminal in Chicago was Grand Central Station, built in 1890 to the plans of noted architect S. S. Bemen. The Wisconsin Central Railroad actually commissioned the station, but later sold it to the B&O; other users were Chicago Great Western and Pere Marquette. Grand Central was razed in 1970; its […]

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Aerospace executive Sion named as new Alstom CEO

New Alstom CEO Martin Sion

SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, France — Martin Sion will become Alstom’s new CEO, effective April 1, 2026, the company’s board of directors announced on Wednesday (Oct. 8, 2025). Sion will succeed Henri Poupart-Lafarge, CEO of the multinational rail rolling stock and equipment firm since February 2016. Poupart-Lafarge announced in May that he would not seek a further term […]

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BLET claims Mexican train crews pose border security risk

Train on bridge approaching small building covering tracks

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is sounding the alarm bell about the potential for Mexican railroad crews to smuggle people and contraband into the United States. The warning comes as the union opposes Union Pacific’s efforts to use Ferromex crews to deliver northbound interchange trains to its yard in Eagle Pass, Texas, some […]

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