Digest: Maryland county to take over Western Maryland Scenic track work

Steam train

Allegany County, Md., to take over track repairs needed by Western Maryland Scenic Allegany County, Md., is taking over track maintenance of the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad from the heritage line, the Cumberland Times-News reports. The move comes after the Federal Railroad Administration in February ordered the replacement of 50,000 ties before the railroad — […]

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Digest: NTSB releases preliminary report on UP track worker fatality

Maintenance of Way tie tamper machine

NTSB issues preliminary report on UP track worker fatality The National Transportation Safety Board indicates it will examine Union Pacific operating rules and the condition of a piece of equipment as part of its ongoing investigation of a fatal accident involving a UP maintenance-of-way worker near Vail, Ariz., in January. In its preliminary report, the […]

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Digest: Court rules against railroads in fuel-surcharge case

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Judge rules against railroads on evidence in fuel-surcharge case A federal judge has denied a request by four Class I railroads to exclude certain evidence from a long-running case over fuel surcharges that involves more than 200 major shippers. The motion by BNSF, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific contended that federal law permits limited […]

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Digest: BNSF, UP update recoveries from winter weather

BNSF logo

BNSF, UP update recovery efforts from winter weather The most recent updates from BNSF Railway and Union Pacific as they recover from last week’s severe weather: — BNSF notified customers in a Friday update that it would take some time to clear traffic backlogs, particularly on the southern portion of the railroad, while all four […]

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Union Pacific says it will have intermodal network reopened Friday

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Union Pacific plans to reopen all intermodal terminals by Friday after closing them earlier this week because of the impacts of winter storms across the nation. In a customer advisory posted Thursday afternoon, the railroad said the Chicago area continued to work through significant snow removal, and additional snowfall in the Little Rock and Pine […]

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Digest: New York to increase overnight subway service

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Tuesday morning rail news: MTA to open subway for two additional hours overnight The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will increase overnight New York subway service, cutting the time the subway is closed nightly from four hours to two as of Feb. 22. The system, currently closed from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. for nightly cleaning, will […]

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Union Pacific shuts down intermodal network because of extreme winter weather

UNION PACIFIC LOGO

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific has virtually frozen its entire intermodal network in the face of harsh winter weather. UP notified customers Monday night that, effective at 8 a.m. local time today, it would not accept loads at its intermodal terminals. The railroad expects the closures to last for 72 hours. Exceptions include international shipments […]

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UP derailment in Normal, Ill., blocks streets, stops Amtrak (updated)

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UP derailment in Normal, Ill., disrupts Amtrak, blocks traffic Sixteen cars of a Union Pacific intermodal train derailed early Saturday morning in Normal, Ill., blocking a series of grade crossings, closing an underpass, damaging two rail lines, and disrupting Amtrak service. The Bloomington Pantagraph reports it was told by Normal Mayor Chris Koos that the […]

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Utah Transit Authority sees revenue gains despite ridership loss

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Boosted by federal aid, Utah Transit Authority sees revenue increase as ridership falls Thanks to federal coronavirus relief funding, the Utah Transit Authority came out ahead financially in 2020 despite huge ridership losses, according to preliminary year-end figures. The Salt Lake Tribune reports the Salt Lake City-area agency saw a 47% loss in ridership, but […]

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Digest: South Shore to replace some service with buses because of expected severe weather

Electric commuter train in snow

Saturday morning rail news: South Shore to replace trains with buses on part of route through at least Monday The South Shore Line will substitute bus service for trains between South Bend, Ind., and the Michigan City Carroll Avenue station beginning this evening, and continuing through at least Sunday and Monday because of forecasts of […]

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Oregon Rail Heritage Center seeks funds to complete turntable project

Turntable frame under tent for sandblasting

PORTLAND, Ore.  — The Oregon Rail Heritage Center, home of three significant steam locomotives, is seeking funding to complete restoration of the nearly century-old Brooklyn Turntable, rescued from the former Brooklyn yard in southeast Portland. The roundhouse at that yard was the home of the center’s locomotives — Southern Pacific 4-8-4 No. 4449, the former […]

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