President Biden announces $16.4 billion in funding for Northeast Corridor projects (updated)

Map of infrastructure projects on Northeast Corridor

BEAR, Del. — President Joe Biden announced that 25 Northeast Corridor projects will receive a total of $16.4 billion in funding in an appearance today at Amtrak’s maintenance facility in Bear, Del., near Wilmington. The funding comes from the Federal Railroad Administration’s Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Pasenger Rail Program. It includes $4.7 billion for the […]

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Cincinnati voters to decide on railway sale Tuesday

CINCINNATI — Voters in Cincinnati go to the polls this Tuesday, Nov. 7, to determine whether the city should sell its railway to Norfolk Southern, after a campaign that has seen a host of conflicting claims and endorsements. The matter, on the ballot as Issue 22, asks voters to approve the sale of the Cincinnati […]

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City of Mobile sends lease for Gulf Coast stop to Amtrak

Two women holding signs supporting Gulf Coast Amtrak service

MOBILE, Ala. — After months of waiting for completion by city of Mobile attorneys, an agreement has been sent to Amtrak for a land lease that would provide a stop for two daily passenger round-trips to New Orleans. The delay in finalizing the agreement, sent to Amtrak last week, is one factor that has pushed […]

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Federal grant boosts Port of Long Beach rail yard improvement project

Aerial view of rail yard at port

LONG BEACH, Calif. — The Port of Long Beach has received a $52.6 million federal grant for its ongoing project to improve its Pier B railyard, which is reconfiguring the 171-acre yard to improve cargo flow, ease road congestion, and decrease air pollution. The Long Beach Press-Telegram reports officials announced the grant on Friday, Nov. […]

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LA’s Metrolink plans four-day shutdown in December

Commuter train passes under signal bridge

LOS ANGELES — LA-area commuter rail operator will shut down all service for a four-day period at the end of December to allow for installation of a new signal system and other work. The service suspension is set for Tuesday, Dec. 26, through Friday, Dec. 29, and will cover the entire seven-line, five-county system, including […]

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Canada launches registration requirements, database for transport of dangerous goods

Transport Canada logo

OTTAWA, Ontario — The Canadian government has launched new registration requirements for the transportation of dangerous goods, along with a new database for those who import, transport, or otherwise handle such goods. The regulations cover goods being moved by rail, road, or other means. The new regulations, which went into effect on Friday, Nov. 3, […]

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SMART-TD ratifies BNSF agreement on scheduling, sick time

Logo of SMART-TD union

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — SMART-TD members have ratified a tentative agreement with BNSF Railway on scheduling and sick days reached in September, the union said Friday. Approximately two-thirds of the members of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division voted in favor of the agreement, which includes paid sick days and […]

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British government backtracks on ticket-counter closures

Ticket office at train station in England

LONDON — Plans to close almost every ticket counter at English railway stations have been dropped after public consultation rejected the proposals. In an unusual success for citizen participation, over 750,000 people responded to the public consultation — a record for any public consultation in England, not just one related to the rail industry. About […]

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Second train between Twin Cities and Chicago slated to begin in 2024

Passenger train with two locomotives on straight section of track

ST. PAUL, Minn. — In a social media post Wednesday, the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced the long-awaited second passenger train between St. Paul and Chicago will begin service in 2024. MnDOT is also asking potential passengers to take a survey about amenities they would like to see aboard the train. The Wisconsin Department of […]

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Authorities investigating attempt to derail train in British Columbia

Emblem of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police

HOPE, British Columbia — Police are investigating what they say was an attempt to derail a train in British Columbia’s Fraser Canyon and are seeking public assistance. The Hope and Boston Bar offices of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police say that on Oct. 22 at 3:18 a.m., an individual placed a vice clamp on the […]

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CSX derailment in suburban Detroit leads to school closures

CSX logo

ROMULUS, Mich. — Fourteen cars of a CSX Transportation freight train derailed in the Detroit suburb of Romulus today (Thursday, Nov. 2), leading to the closure of two schools “out of an abudance of caution,” the city’s mayor said. No injuries were reported and no leaks or spills resulted from the derailment about 10 a.m., […]

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Probe of fatal BNSF coal train wreck to focus on track inspection and maintenance, NTSB says

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board’s probe into the Oct. 15 derailment of a BNSF Railway coal train near Pueblo, Colo., will focus on the railroad’s track maintenance and inspection procedures, the agency said today in its preliminary report on the fatal wreck. Some of the 30 loaded coal gondolas that derailed near a […]

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