New Mexico legislators ask FRA to address lack of safety inspector in state

Burning railroad cars at derailment site

WASHINGTON — The five members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation have asked the Federal Railroad Administration to address the lack of a safety inspector for the state in the wake of the April derailment of a BNSF freight train near the New Mexico-Arizona state line that closed Interstate 40 for more than two days. The […]

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From the Cab: Careful, I might break your camera

A man in a white cap and red shirt stands in the doorway of a locomotive

Photography has been my hobby since I retired as Amtrak’s company photographer in December 2012. In addition to trains, I shoot events of all kinds. There never fails to be at least one self-deprecating soul who grins at me and says, “Careful, I might break your camera.” Imagine their surprise when I respond, “Someone already […]

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CPKC to name new subdivision after former KCS CEO Michael Haverty

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Canadian Pacific Kansas City will honor former Kansas City Southern CEO Michael Haverty by naming a new subdivision after the influential railroad executive. Assuming the deal gains the necessary regulatory approval, CPKC will name its portion of the Meridian & Bigbee short line the Haverty Subdivision. CPKC and CSX plan to […]

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If you can’t get trackside, check out the virtual tour of Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816

If you’ve seen Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 charge through your town this spring — or if you’ve been lucky enough to chase Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s Final Spike Steam Tour — I’m envious. Thus far I’ve had to settle for being an armchair railfan as the steam spectacle of the year unfolds. Now, don’t […]

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Tank car history 101

White tank cars pass a railroad signal showing a red light. A green tree is behind the signal

Tank car history traces back more than 150 years. Today, tens of thousands of tank cars are in service on North American railroads. They are used for various liquids and gasses, and their cargos include petroleum products, chemicals, and food-grade substances. Tank cars can be pressurized or non-pressurized, insulated or non-insulated, and — depending on […]

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New Orleans historic streetcar line to receive spark in additional ADA compliance

New Orleans Streetcars logo

New Orleans — The historic St. Charles streetcar line of the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is expected to receive a spark in additional improvements in its ADA compliance and handicapped accessibility. This will be possible with over $5 million in funding from a recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, recently announced by Congressman Troy […]

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Norfolk Southern reaches $310 million East Palestine settlement with EPA, Justice Department

WASHINGTON — Norfolk Southern reached a $310 million settlement today with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Justice Department regarding cleanup and ongoing monitoring in East Palestine, Ohio, which was the site of a disastrous hazardous materials derailment last year. The agencies said the agreement, which must be approved by a federal court, holds […]

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Wisconsin governor proposes passenger trains to NFL Draft

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers official portrait

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has proposed running special Amtrak trains to Green Bay during next year’s NFL Draft. In the last few years, the draft announcements have become big business, drawing thousands of people to host cities. The 90th version of the NFL Draft will be held in Green Bay, home […]

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Downed catenary halts Amtrak and commuter service between New York and Philly

Electric locomotive and passenger cars rounding curve

Amtrak and commuter service between New York and Philadelphia was suspended for hours at the height of the evening rush hour on Wednesday after catenary came down in Kearny, N.J. Service between New York and Newark, N.J., was initially suspended at 5:05 p.m., prompting backups that cascaded along the Northeast Corridor. An Amtrak spokesman told […]

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CPKC and Teamsters Canada remain at impasse, with no new contract talks scheduled

Train of hopper cars with grain elevator in background

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference made no progress on their stalled contract talks this week and no further negotiations are planned, the railway and union said in updates on Wednesday. Although Wednesday marked the end of a mandatory 21-day cooling off period under Canadian labor law, the Canada Industrial […]

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Intermodal leads U.S. rail traffic to a weekly gain

Intermodal train passing through steel girder bridge

WASHINGTON – Total U.S. weekly rail traffic rose 0.9% for the week ending May 18, up 474,886 carloads and intermodal units compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads reported on Wednesday. Total carloads for the week ending May 18 were 214,092 carloads, down 4.8% compared with the same week in […]

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Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 to pull public excursion

Three-quarter shot of 4-6-4 steam locomotive with maroon trim and tender

SILVIS, Ill. — Railroading Heritage of Midwest America and the Central States Steam Preservation Association announced today that Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 will pull a public excursion June 29 on the Iowa Interstate Railroad. According to the two sponsors, the trip is being run as an educational fundraiser to promote railroad safety. The train […]

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