Freight derailment halts Metra’s SouthWest Service (updated)

Commuter train at station

CHICAGO RIDGE, Ill. — Metra has canceled all operations on its SouthWest Service today (Feb. 11, 2026) following a freight derailment this morning near its Chicago Ridge station. No injuries have been reported, and Chicago Ridge police say there is no danger to the public from the derailment. A Metra spokeswoman told the Chicago Sun-Times […]

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Sound Transit ‘simulated service’ will add to light rail schedules

Portion of Sound Transit network map showing light rail segments that will see more trains beginning Feb. 14.

SEATTLE — Sound Transit will begin simulated service on its new light rail Crosslake Connection on Saturday, Feb. 14, giving passengers the chance to ride additional trains on the Link 1 Line between the International District/Chinatown station and Lynnwood City Center. Service on the 2 Line will also be extended until midnight between Redmond and […]

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Greenville, Pa., works to save Erie depot

Color postcard of a brick railroad depot. Greenville, Pa., works to save depot.

GREENVILLE, Pa. — Greenville officials aim to save the town’s former Erie Railroad brick depot, which last saw passenger service in 1970. The depot property is now owned by Norfolk Southern, which may raze the building. Greenville Mayor Jean Carr-Fisher would like to see it saved, if possible. Carr-Fisher on Feb. 4 presented a plan […]

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News photo: SunRail wraps train to mark USA’s 250th birthday

White locomotive with red and blue trim and two bilevel passenger cars with red, white, and blue wraps.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida commuter operator SunRail has decorated one of its trainsets to mark America’s semiquincentennial, with the Florida Department of Transportation saying the move is one way the agency is “showcasing the state’s contributions to the Republic and the importance of the state’s transportation system.” The locomotive, an MPI MP32PH-Q, features a predominantly […]

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Sound Transit announces three key executive hirings

Sound Transit logo

SEATTLE — Sound Transit has announced the addition of three executives,  including the return of a longtime staff member as deputy CEO. Returning in the deputy CEO role is Brooke Belman, who spent nearly two decades at the Seattle-area transit operator. Her prior term at Sound Transit included terms as interim CEO and deputy CEO […]

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BLET, Alstom reach tentative agreement on MARC contract

Logo of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has reached a tentative agreement with operating company Alstom on a four-year contract for engineers at the Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC), the union has announced. If ratified, the agreement will be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024, and run through Dec. 31, 2027. It will […]

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Amtrak offers first look at Airo equipment

Sign reading "Airo Fleet First Look" next to train at Washington Union Station

WASHINGTON — Amtrak unveiled Airo, its newest fleet addition, on Tuesday with a media tour that featured an in-depth look at the interior of the shiny, feature-filled trainset that’s slated to begin revenue service this summer on the Amtrak Cascades’ service in the Pacific Northwest. Before offering a tour of coach, café car, and business […]

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Union Pacific asks STB to probe CPKC’s handling of UP-NS stack trains on Meridian Speedway

WASHINGTON — Union Pacific has repeated its call for federal regulators to open an investigation into Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s operation of the Meridian Speedway, claiming that CPKC’s handling of UP-Norfolk Southern domestic intermodal trains has deteriorated. In a letter to the Surface Transportation Board, UP said that dwell time for its eastbound intermodal hotshot […]

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Manufacturers and dealers now can track vehicles on auto racks in real time

CARY, N.C. — TransmetriQ today announced the release of VIN Tracking, which allows auto manufacturers and dealers to track finished vehicles by Vehicle Identification Number as they move by rail from manufacturing plants to distribution terminals and to dealers across North America. The new feature addresses a longstanding challenge in automotive logistics. Traditionally, manufacturers and […]

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Seattle-area transit prepares for Seahawks victory parade

Blue and white commuter train approaches, led by cab car

SEATTLE — Sound Transit will offer additional service on Wednesday, Feb. 11, for the city’s parade to mark the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl championship. Up to 1 million fans are expected for events including a ticketed celebration at the team’s stadium, Lumen Field, at 10 a.m., followed by a parade beginning at 11 a.m. from […]

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A 2026 interview with Jason Shron of Rapido Trains

Sign on a brick building

The last time David Popp and Jason Shron, owner and CEO of Rapido Trains Inc., chatted back in May 2025, the hot topic was the impact of the tariffs implemented by the United States on the model railroad industry. Roughly eight months later, Jason provides an update, plus fun details on recent happenings with Rapido […]

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‘Flex-dining’ lunch additions reflect continued minimalist approach: Analysis

WASHINGTON — Amtrak announced last week that new lunch options have been introduced on five overnight trains offering so-called flex meals — the premade dishes reheated on board rather than prepared in the dining car. That’s good news for sleeping car passengers who have been offered the same entrees for both lunch and dinner since […]

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