Landowners, BNSF settle suit over 2018 oil train derailment

BNSF Railway logo

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Landowners who sued BNSF Railway last year over damages from a 2018 derailment near Doon, Iowa, have settled the lawsuit against the railroad, the Sioux City Journal reports. Phillip, Kirsti, John, and Helen Kooima of Rock Valley, Iowa sued the railroad for negligence over a June 22, 2018, incident that saw […]

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Sound Transit to launch Bellevue-Redmond light rail service April 27

Light rail train enters station at night

SEATTLE — Sound Transit will launch light rail service on the first portion of the East Link Extension, a 6.5-mile, eight-station segment in Bellevue and Redmond, Wash., on April 27, the agency announced Thursday. The first portion of the 2 Line — which eventually will span 14 miles and 10 stations, connecting with the original […]

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Progress Rail to build 54 locomotives for Indonesia

Red and blue six-axle locomotive

ALBERTVILLE, Ala. — Progress Rail will build 54 EMD GT38AC freight locomotives for PT Kereta Indonesia, or PT KAI, for service in South Sumatra, Indonesia, adding to an existing fleet of 91 of the locomotives. “We are excited for this opportunity to once again work with PT KAI to deliver our GT series locomotives, which […]

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Palmetto Railways to convert two switchers to battery power

Logo of Palmetto Railways

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Palmetto Railways will work with Innovative Rail Technologies to convert two of its diesel switchers to battery-electric power, the railroad announced this week. Palmetto, a division of the South Carolina Department of Commerce, received a $4.17 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements, or CRISI, grant for the project in September [see […]

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Kentucky legislative committee considers two-person crew bill

The state seal of the Commonwealth of Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Transportation Committee of the Kentucky House heard testimony Tuesday on a bill requiring two-person crews for freight trains in the state, reviving legislation that has previously failed to advance. HB 33 is sponsored by seven legislators including Reps. Kevin Bratcher (R-Louisville), whose biography includes involvement with the Kentucky Railway Museum among […]

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Nebraska bill would limit train lengths, require wayside detectors

Nebraska state seal, which includes a steam-powered train in the background

LINCOLN, Neb. — Less than two weeks after the Nebraska legislature killed a bill to require two-person train crews, a legislative committee has heard testimony on another rail regulation bill, this one including limits on train length. The unicameral legislature’s Transportation and Telecommunications Committee on Tuesday heard testimony on LB1212, introduced by Sen. Lynne Walz […]

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California state senator seeks legislation to address issues on LOSSAN corridor

Cab car leads passenger train along track next to ocean

SACRAMENTO — A California state senator is introducing a bill to address projects to prevent interruptions to passenger rail service on the LOSSAN Rail Corridor between San Luis Obispo and San Diego, such as the current slide near San Clemente, Calif., that has disrupted Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink commuter rail service. The San Diego […]

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California orders six more hydrogen-powered trainsets from Stadler

Front view of blue and white passenger train equipment

SACRAMENTO — California’s Department of Transportation, Caltrans, announced a $127 million agreement with Stadler Rail on Wednesday to purchase six more hydrogen-powered passenger trainsets, bringing to 10 the number of the trainsets on order for use in the San Joaquin Valley. The funding comes $407 million for the California State Transportation agency to purchase or […]

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CPKC commits to $1.5 million in support for American Heart Association

Logo of American Heart Association

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Kansas City has announced a $1.5 million commitment to support the American Heart Association for heart research over the next three years. As part of the commitment announced on Valentine’s Day, CPKC will support four two-year pre-doctoral fellowships and four one-year pre-doctoral fellowships chosen by the Heart Association and focused […]

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STB members question Gulf Coast delays and non-disclosure at hearing: Analysis

WASHINGTON — Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin Oberman was so disappointed in the lack of information provided at Wednesday’s board hearing into the status of Amtrak Gulf Coast service that he ordered the parties to come back in 30 days with a detailed report to address the board’s unanswered questions. “I’ve negotiated a lot of […]

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Olympia & Sand Creek, Sidetrack Ep. 1 | Horse Drawn Wagons

Host David Popp departs from the On30 layout construction to tackle something he’s never done before. In the railroad town of Sand Creek, David works to build, paint, and install proper horses and horse drawn wagons that folks use to haul goods to and fro. Saddle up for the ride through the entire process…and Trains.com […]

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