Work on GO Transit line reroutes VIA trains onto freight-only trackage

Westbound VIA train No. 71

TORONTO — VIA Rail Canada trains began a two-day reroute onto Canadian National’s Halton Subdivision on Saturday, as the Metrolinx Oakville Subdivision used by GO Transit trains is closed for signal and plant upgrades through Nov. 29. In a rare opportunity for mileage collectors, VIA trains Nos. 71, 72, 75, and 78 are being rerouted […]

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Rail equipment firm Linsinger introduces hydrogen-powered milling train

Linsinger hydrogen-powered rail milling train.

In a press release, the company says the new MG11 H2 machine is a variant on its MG11 milling train, developed for the smallest tunnel clearances and short work windows. That milling train used the latest generation of electric drive and milling technology, facilitating the conversion, and is capable of working a full shift on […]

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Digest: Derailment, bridge collapse reported on Pennsylvania short line

RJ Corman Railroad Group logo

More Wednesday morning rail news: Short line derailment, bridge collapses closes Pennsylvania highway A train derailment and bridge collapse have closed a state highway in Indiana County, Pa. The Indiana Gazette reports the derailment has occurred near Starford, Pa., closing State Route 1014. The location is on the R.J. Corman Pennsylavania lines. Photos on the […]

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Digest: Canada announces major change in train crew work rules

Transport Canada logo

Wednesday evening rail news:   Transport Canada makes major revisions to crew work rules Transport Canada has updated its rules regarding fatigue rules for railroad workers, placing new limits on the length of a work period and the number of hours that can be worked in a week or month, while increasing the length of […]

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Digest: Norfolk Southern derailment blocks line near Cincinnati

Norfolk Southern logo

Tuesday midday rail news: NS train derails near Cincinnati, blocking route Norfolk Southern is reporting to shippers that a derailment of a manifest train west of Cincinnati this morning has blocked a single-track main line and resulted in track and switch damage. The railroad estimates service will be restored by 5 p.m. today. The accident […]

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Amtrak warns of more cuts without additional funding

View of Baltimore's B&P Tunnel from onboard a train

WASHINGTON — Amtrak President and CEO Bill Flynn today cautioned the passenger railroad faces cuts with long-term impact without additional funding from Congress. “If the current level of funding is extended in a continuing resolution beyond Dec. 11, 2020, and supplemental funding isn’t provided,” Flynn said during a conference call, “we’re going to be unable […]

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Transit agencies face grim budget choices

MTA Metro-North trains meet near the 125th Street station in Harlem.

  With the financial vise tightening around transit agencies, and prospects diminishing for a rescue from Washington, severe service cuts are coming, accompanied by thousands of layoffs for workers who operate and maintain trains and buses. Public meetings this month in Boston, New York, Washington, and Chicago reveal the extent of the economic carnage taking […]

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Norfolk Southern, partners tout Rail Pulse carload tracing program

Rail Pulse car tracking system

The Rail Pulse car tracking system that’s under development will lead to growth in merchandise traffic by providing shippers with real-time location data throughout a car’s journey from origin to destination, rail industry executives say. Rail Pulse is a joint venture of Norfolk Southern, short line holding companies Genesee & Wyoming and Watco, railcar leasing […]

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Digest: UP opens new Twin Cities intermodal terminal, will launch service to LA

Union Pacific logo

Friday afternoon rail freight and logistics news: UP opens Minneapolis intermodal terminal, will launch service to LA Union Pacific will begin offering intermodal service to Minneapolis-St. Paul in January 2021 following today’s opening of its Twin Cities Intermodal Terminal in Minneapolis. The new service will feature domestic intermodal service between the Twin Cities and Los […]

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Digest: Port Authority of NY-NJ considers budget with layoffs, service cuts

The Port Authority Of NY and NJ logo

Friday midday rail news: Port Authority of NY-NJ budget proposal includes layoffs, service cuts The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is considering layoffs, service cuts, and cutbacks to future capital projects as it prepares its 2021 budget reflecting COVID-19-related financial woes. NorthJersey.com reports that Executive Director Rick Cotton told the board the […]

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Analysis: FRA seeks Amtrak, host railroad scheduling cooperation

The northbound Silver Meteor arrives at Deland, Fla., in March 2016

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration’s release this week of its “Metrics and Minimum Standards for Intercity Passenger Rail Service” will require a revamp of virtually all U.S. intercity passenger train schedules, as well as operating agreements between Amtrak and its host railroads. That was the plan all along, according to FRA Administrator Ron Batory. […]

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