News photos: With steam sidelined, EBT diesel takes spotlight

Diesel powered train passing under bridge

ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — Former Durango & Silverton diesel No. 19, an Alco-powered H.K. Porter locomotive, stepped into the spotlight at the East Broad Top Railroad today (Feb. 12), pulling a freight train and photo charter for the first time since coming to Pennsylvania. The C-C locomotive was pinch-hitting for Baldwin 2-8-2 No. 16, sidelined […]

Read More…

Three U.S. unions request federal mediation in dispute with CPKC

Freight train passes sign for town of Buffalo, Iowa

Three U.S. labor unions are requesting federal mediation in pay and benefits disputes with Canadian Pacific Kansas City, the labor organizations announced today (Feb. 12). Making the request are the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division, and Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen. They say CPKC workers on the […]

Read More…

Opinion: Class I railroads must join confidential close call reporting system

Trains Turntable: Commentary from Jared Cassity, national safety and legislative director for the SMART-TD union If there is a foundational principle that defines the only meaningful factor in transportation, it can be asked in this one simple question: Is it safe? Whether referencing our country’s first significant mode of transportation — railroads — or the […]

Read More…

Amtrak New York-Boston service resumes after Wednesday outage

Amtrak logo.

NEW YORK — Amtrak service between New York and Boston was restored early today after overhead power issues halted operation between the two cities much of Wednesday evening. Amtrak announced that service was being halted in a social media post shortly after 7 p.m. ET and said that service had been restored in another post […]

Read More…

Metra SouthWest Service resumes following freight derailment

CHICAGO RIDGE, Ill. — Metra SouthWest Service trains are back in operation today (Thursday, Feb. 12) following a Wednesday freight derailment that shut down the 15-round-trip-a-day operation between Chicago Union Station and Orland Park/Manhattan, Ill. In a social media post shortly after 5 a.m., the commuter operator said it had been informed its tracks would […]

Read More…

Minnesota manufacturer completes third locomotive for U.S. military

Blue switcher lettered for U.S. Air Force

GRANITE FALLS, Minn. — Locomotive manufacturing newcomer Integral dx has completed its third unit for the U.S. military, a rear-cab switcher for the U.S. Air Force. The SWR18, a 130-ton, four-axle, 1,800-hp switcher, has been delivered to the Air Force at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., joining center-cab switchers delivered to the Navy in March 2025 […]

Read More…

Freight derailment halts Metra’s SouthWest Service (updated)

Commuter train at station

CHICAGO RIDGE, Ill. — Metra has canceled all operations on its SouthWest Service today (Feb. 11, 2026) following a freight derailment this morning near its Chicago Ridge station. No injuries have been reported, and Chicago Ridge police say there is no danger to the public from the derailment. A Metra spokeswoman told the Chicago Sun-Times […]

Read More…

Sound Transit ‘simulated service’ will add to light rail schedules

Portion of Sound Transit network map showing light rail segments that will see more trains beginning Feb. 14.

SEATTLE — Sound Transit will begin simulated service on its new light rail Crosslake Connection on Saturday, Feb. 14, giving passengers the chance to ride additional trains on the Link 1 Line between the International District/Chinatown station and Lynnwood City Center. Service on the 2 Line will also be extended until midnight between Redmond and […]

Read More…

News photo: SunRail wraps train to mark USA’s 250th birthday

White locomotive with red and blue trim and two bilevel passenger cars with red, white, and blue wraps.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida commuter operator SunRail has decorated one of its trainsets to mark America’s semiquincentennial, with the Florida Department of Transportation saying the move is one way the agency is “showcasing the state’s contributions to the Republic and the importance of the state’s transportation system.” The locomotive, an MPI MP32PH-Q, features a predominantly […]

Read More…

BLET, Alstom reach tentative agreement on MARC contract

Logo of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has reached a tentative agreement with operating company Alstom on a four-year contract for engineers at the Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC), the union has announced. If ratified, the agreement will be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2024, and run through Dec. 31, 2027. It will […]

Read More…

Union Pacific asks STB to probe CPKC’s handling of UP-NS stack trains on Meridian Speedway

WASHINGTON — Union Pacific has repeated its call for federal regulators to open an investigation into Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s operation of the Meridian Speedway, claiming that CPKC’s handling of UP-Norfolk Southern domestic intermodal trains has deteriorated. In a letter to the Surface Transportation Board, UP said that dwell time for its eastbound intermodal hotshot […]

Read More…

‘Flex-dining’ lunch additions reflect continued minimalist approach: Analysis

WASHINGTON — Amtrak announced last week that new lunch options have been introduced on five overnight trains offering so-called flex meals — the premade dishes reheated on board rather than prepared in the dining car. That’s good news for sleeping car passengers who have been offered the same entrees for both lunch and dinner since […]

Read More…