New York City Transit President Davey selected as Massport CEO

Man gesturing on subway platform

NEW YORK — New York City Transit President Richard Davey has been named CEO of the Massachusetts Port Authority, departing from his job as head of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority department overseeing subways and buses after just two years. The Massport board of directors voted today to select Davey over Eulois Cleckley, CEO of the […]

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New high speed rail line between Liverpool and Manchester planned

Blue high speed trainsets with yellow noses at station

LEEDS, England — Marking the 200th anniversary of the original Liverpool and Manchester Railway Co., the first intercity passenger rail line in the world, the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester announced the all-new Liverpool-Manchester Railway Board on May 22, 2024. This new venture also brings forth plans for an improved high speed rail line […]

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Norfolk Southern short line project leads to carload volume growth

Train with two black locomotives on spur

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern and 40 of its shortline connections have produced outsized growth in carload traffic this year through a program that aims to improve interchange consistency and reliability. The Short Line Performance Project, which began as a pilot with a handful of railroads last July, has seen interchange volume grow 9% since March […]

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Study: Derailment risk rises with the number of cars in a freight train

The risk of derailment increases with freight train length, according to an academic study published today, which found that a 200-car train is 24% more likely to derail than a 50-car train. The study — by researchers from Brigham Young University, Georgetown University, and Virginia Tech — analyzed Federal Railroad Administration rail equipment accident data […]

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Ohio House passes bill adding to driver responsibility at grade crossings

Seal of the state of Ohio

  COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio’s House of Representatives has passed a bill requiring drivers to stop for all on-track equipment at grade crossings, and making the failure to do so a misdemeanor. House Bill 372, sponsored by Michele Grim (D-Toledo) and James M. Hoops (R-Napoleon), requires a driver to stop at a grade crossing if […]

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FTA awards $343 million to eight transit agencies for station upgrades (updated)

Maintenance workers at station platform

EAST ORANGE, N.J. — Eight rail transit systems will receive a total of $343 million to modernize stations, improving access for passengers including those with disabilities and injuries, under grants announced today by the Federal Transit Administration. The grants, under the FTA’s All Stations Accessibility Program, were announced in an event at NJ Transit’s Brick […]

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Mongeau to chair Norfolk Southern’s board of directors

MongeauClaude

ATLANTA – Former Canadian National CEO Claude Mongeau has been appointed chair of Norfolk Southern’s board of directors, the railroad announced today. The board unanimously chose Mongeau to lead the board, which has five new members — including three who were nominated by activist investor Ancora Holdings as part of its proxy battle with the […]

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New Mexico legislators ask FRA to address lack of safety inspector in state

Burning railroad cars at derailment site

WASHINGTON — The five members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation have asked the Federal Railroad Administration to address the lack of a safety inspector for the state in the wake of the April derailment of a BNSF freight train near the New Mexico-Arizona state line that closed Interstate 40 for more than two days. The […]

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From the Cab: Careful, I might break your camera

A man in a white cap and red shirt stands in the doorway of a locomotive

Photography has been my hobby since I retired as Amtrak’s company photographer in December 2012. In addition to trains, I shoot events of all kinds. There never fails to be at least one self-deprecating soul who grins at me and says, “Careful, I might break your camera.” Imagine their surprise when I respond, “Someone already […]

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EMD NW5: a light road-switcher diesel that didn’t

Orange-and-green diesel locomotive approaching street crossing

Although some units proved long-lived, the EMD NW5 sold just 13 copies.     Although the pre-World War II EMD NW3 was not a stellar seller, after cessation of hostilities in 1945, the builder was keen on revisiting the idea in order to mine the light switcher market dominated by the Alco RS1 and Baldwin […]

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CPKC to name new subdivision after former KCS CEO Michael Haverty

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Canadian Pacific Kansas City will honor former Kansas City Southern CEO Michael Haverty by naming a new subdivision after the influential railroad executive. Assuming the deal gains the necessary regulatory approval, CPKC will name its portion of the Meridian & Bigbee short line the Haverty Subdivision. CPKC and CSX plan to […]

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If you can’t get trackside, check out the virtual tour of Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816

If you’ve seen Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 charge through your town this spring — or if you’ve been lucky enough to chase Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s Final Spike Steam Tour — I’m envious. Thus far I’ve had to settle for being an armchair railfan as the steam spectacle of the year unfolds. Now, don’t […]

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