News photo: MBTA unveils retro-paint locomotive

Silver, purple, and yellow diesel at passenger station

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has placed a newly overhauled locomotive into service wearing the original MBTA paint scheme. GP40MC No. 1130, a rebuilt ex-Canadian National GP40-2LW, entered service on Tuesday, Oct. 21, wearing the scheme last used by the MBTA more than 20 years ago. It joins F40PH-3C No. 1030, painted to […]

Read More…

US EPA seeks comment on proposed settlement from 2020 BNSF derailment

BNSF_Derailment_IdahoPolice

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to fine BNSF Railway $191,000 as part of a settlement for a Jan. 1, 2020, derailment that led to a spill of more than 3,400 gallons of diesel fuel into the Kootenai River near Katka, Idaho. The proposed settlement of a violation of the Clean Waters […]

Read More…

Startup company targets blocked crossings with sensor network

Tank car blocking street behind lowered crossing gate

Oculus Rail, a startup company based in Norfolk, Va., wants to cure a railroad headache: Frequently blocked grade crossings that frustrate motorists and communities alike. The company aims to build a grade-crossing sensor network that can help reroute traffic and emergency vehicles around blocked crossings. Oculus Rail — which launched a smartphone app last week […]

Read More…

Dallas area sets three days of ceremonies for launch of Silver Line

Silver and yellow diesel multiple unit trainsets

DALLAS — Ceremonies to open Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s Silver Line, the 26-mile commuter rail line connecting DFW International Airport and Plano, will begin on Thursday, Oct. 23, with a broad range of community events set for Saturday, Oct. 25, when the line opens to the public. Two invitation-only events — a ribbon-cutting at the […]

Read More…

Adirondack passenger cars obtained for Maine’s Rockland branch excursions

ROCKLAND, Maine—Two former Adirondack Railroad coaches equipped with heating and air conditioning have arrived at Cumberland & Knox Railroad’s Rockland facility for excursion operations on the state-owned Rockland branch. Finn Kelly, the line’s government affairs manager, tells Trains.com., “We’re still evaluating different options for excursions” on the 56-mile former Maine Central branch from Brunswick, Maine, […]

Read More…

Construction work to alter Metra Electric, South Shore service on upcoming weekends

CHICAGO — Metra Electric will face modified operations on for three of the next four weekends, while South Shore Line operations in to Chicago will also face disruptions on two weekends to accommodate construction work related to South Shore’s coming expansion of service. Plans for the service outages include: — On the weekends of Oct. […]

Read More…

Montreal’s REM sets Nov. 17 for opening of next section

Map of Montreal light rail system

MONTREAL — The second portion of Montreal’s Réseau express métropolitain light rail system will open on Monday, Nov. 17, builder CDPQ Infra announced today (O t. 20, 2025). The Deux-Montagnes branch, replacing an EXO commuter line that ended operations on Dec. 31, 2020, will add 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) 14 stations to the six stations […]

Read More…

Amtrak, Metro-North to provide more New York-Albany service

Two trains on opposite sides of station platform

ALBANY, N.Y. — Amtrak will restore one currently suspended Empire Service round trip between New York City and Albany as of Dec. 1, and Metro-North Railroad will begin offering service between New York City and Albany in the spring of 2026, according to a joint announcement today (Oct. 20, 2025). New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, […]

Read More…

Cars separate on New York subway train; no injuries reported

Logo of Metropolitan Transportation Authority

NEW YORK — No injuries were reported, but several hours of service disruptions resulted Sunday evening following the separation of cars on a New York subway train. WABC-TV reports the third and fourth cars of a 4 train detached near the 149th Street-Grand Concourse station in the Bronx, leading to a partial shutdown of the […]

Read More…

NTSB to investigate BNSF conductor fatality (updated)

National Transportation Safety Board logo

COLUMBUS, Mont. — The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the death of a BNSF conductor struck by a train on Sunday (Oct. 19, 2025), the agency has announced. The fatality occurred about 9:40 a.m. in Columbus, KTVQ-TV reports. BNSF and Columbus police, as well as the Stillwater County Sheriff’s Office, were also investigating the […]

Read More…

Canada Strong Pass, including free or discounted VIA Rail travel, to return during holiday season

Passengers look at waterfall from seats in dome car

OTTAWA, Ontario — The Canada Strong Pass, which debuted this summer and includes free or discounted travel on VIA Rail Canada, will return for about a month around the Holiday season, the Canadian government has announced. The pass debuted this summer after being proposed by the Liberal Party as part of its platform for the […]

Read More…