New York City Transit ordered to address track worker safety by FTA

Workers in subway tunnel

NEW YORK — The Federal Transit Administration this week issued a special directive ordering the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to address “an escalating pattern of safety incidents” regarding workers in the New York subway system, citing 38 near-miss incidents in 2023 in addition to a worker fatality in November 2023 and an incident involving a serious […]

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Brightline monthly revenue steady as riders shift to longer trips: Analysis

Short passenger train at sunset

MIAMI — Recent ridership and revenue trends reveal that Brightline’s South Florida operation has settled into a consistent month-to-month pattern, with full-route travelers occupying seats vacated by West Palm Beach-Miami clientele at substantially higher prices. The information is contained in the recently released Florida Development Corp. “Preliminary Limited Remarketing Memorandum” announcing the availability of $985 […]

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Regulators order UP, Metra to mediation

Two commuter trains meet on curve

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has ordered Union Pacific and Metra to enter mediation over their inability to reach financial terms on some aspects of a contract to continue commuter train service on three Metra routes using Union Pacific lines. In a decision issued Wednesday, Aug. 14, the board by a 4-0 vote granted […]

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Canada’s labor minister won’t send CN-union contract talks to binding arbitration

MONTREAL — Canada’s labor minister has denied Canadian National’s request to intervene in contract talks with the union representing engineers and conductors. Last week CN asked Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon to send stalled contract negotiations to binding arbitration in order to prevent a work stoppage that would halt rail traffic in Canada beginning at 12:01 […]

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NJ Transit to observe one-week ‘fare holiday’

Commuter trains on two tracks of three-track line at station

TRENTON, N.J. — NJ Transit will observe a “fare holiday” Aug. 26 to Sept. 2, offering free rides on all modes across its network, Gov. Phil Murphy announced today (Thursday, Aug. 15). The move is described as a “thank you” to riders for their continued patronage, particularly in light of ongoing service issues. NJ Transit […]

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CN bridge collapses in Fort Frances, Ontario (updated)

FORT FRANCES, Ontario — A Canadian National Railway lift bridge in Fort Frances has collapsed, the website NWOnewswatch.com reports. CN said in a statement to website operator Dougall Media on Wednesday, Aug. 14, that it was responding to “an incident” involving the bridge across the Rainy River that provides its connection to the Port of […]

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Driver killed in collision that derails Wisconsin & Southern train

View across field of derailed cars

TOWN OF SHERMAN, Wis. — The driver of a semi truck was killed today in a grade crossing collision that also derailed the locomotive and six cars of a Wisconsin & Southern train, the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Office reports. The collision occurred about 2:05 p.m. on Abbott Drive in the town of Sherman, about 36 […]

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Mexico rail group “surprised” at capacity concerns raised by U.S. grain shippers

MEXICO CITY — Pushing back against criticism from American agricultural exporters, the Mexican Railway Association insists that the country’s railroads have the capacity to handle growing cross-border trade with the United States. A coalition of American agricultural shippers told to federal regulators last month that capacity problems — not surges of migrants seeking refuge in […]

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Metro-North Danbury Branch to see bus substitution Aug. 23-25

Logo of Connecticut Department of Transportation

NEWINGTON, Conn. — Trains will be replaced by buses on Metro-North’s Danbury Branch Aug. 23-25 to accommodate a switch replacement project, the Connecticut Department of Transportation has announced. Buses will replace trains between Danbury and South Norwalk. They will operate earlier than the scheduled trains they replace, and will serve all stations between those two […]

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Former Nickel Plate Pullman to join Indiana Rail Experience (corrected)

Heavyweight passenger car in yard with modern equipment in snow

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Pullman railcar Kitchi Gammi Club, built in 1923, assigned to Nickel Plate Road passenger service after a 1937 modification, and later converted to a business car for that railroad, will move from New York City to become part of special events at the Indiana Rail Experience this October and December, the […]

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URHS adds third car for Hudson River Rail Excursions

Stainless steel passenger car next to electric locomotive in station

BOONTON, N.J. — The United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey has expanded the car fleet for its popular Hudson River Rail Excursions, adding a third car, New York Central sleeper-buffet-lounge Swift Stream, built by the Budd Co. in 1949. Tickets for space on this car will go on sale Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. […]

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CN begins first step toward shutting down in advance of Aug. 22 work stoppage (updated)

Train with red and black locomotives crosses cruved trestle

MONTREAL — Canadian National has begun refusing certain hazardous materials shipments in preparation for an Aug. 22 work stoppage. CN said the decision was made in light of a lack of progress in negotiations with Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, which represents the railway’s engineers and conductors in Canada. “CN has initiated the first step of […]

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