Rail Industry News

(Source: Progressive Railroading, October 5, 2017) The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials yesterday held a hearing to gather stakeholders' perspectives on what's needed to improve the...

(Source: CBC News, October 5, 2017) MONTREAL — The provincial police sergeant in charge of the investigation into the Lac-Mégantic rail disaster said he made at least four trips to the U.S. to meet dozens of employees of Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway (MMA), to...

(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, October 5, 2017) SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Teamsters from across the country are on the ground in Puerto Rico assisting with disaster relief, following a chartered flight of over 200 union volunteers that...

(Source: CNBC, October 6, 2017) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Hurricanes Harvey and Irma damaged not only Texas and Florida but also the U.S. jobs picture, as payrolls fell by 33,000 in September. That drop came even as the unemployment rate fell to a 16-year low of 4.2 percent,...

(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, October 4, 2017) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending September 30, 2017, as well as volumes for September 2017. U.S. railroads...

(Source: San Diego Union-Tribune, October 4, 2017) SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The Santa Fe Depot, one of the region’s most historic landmarks, is being sold to a local private investor with escrow due to close the first week of November. Full story: San Diego...

(Source: Sacramento Bee, October 4, 2017) SACRAMENTO, Calif. — It’s been nearly a half century since the last passenger trains cut through midtown Sacramento, dropping riders off at the sprawling depot that’s now an Old Spaghetti Factory restaurant. Full story:...

(Source: Television station WSB-TV, October 4, 2017) COBB COUNTY, Ga. — People living in a Cobb County neighborhood say stopped trains are backing up traffic and blocking emergency vehicles. Full story: www.wsbtv.com

(Source: Television station WTKR, October 4, 2017) NAPERVILLE, Ill. — An Amtrak conductor shot by a disgruntled passenger is making a recovery six months later. Full story: www.wtkr.com

(Source: Television station KOIN, October 5, 2017) PORTLAND, Ore. — Amtrak is adding two new morning and evening trains between Seattle and Portland. Full story: www.koin.com

(Source: Associated Press, October 4, 2017) OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Oklahoma lawmakers are studying the cost of a high-speed rail system that would link Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Full story: www.usnews.com

(Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail, October 4, 2017) CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Attorneys for CSX Transportation in Huntington have filed a motion for a federal judge to dismiss a sex discrimination lawsuit from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, saying the...

(Source: News Times, October 5, 2017) SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Environmental activist groups are celebrating a win after oil giant Phillips 66 and SLO County entered into a settlement agreement in connection with a lawsuit over the company's controversial plans to...

(Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, October 5, 2017) ATLANTA, Ga. — A train derailed and knocked a home off its foundation in northwest Atlanta, sending a man sleeping in his bedroom to a local hospital with minor injuries early Thursday. Full story: www.aj.com

(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, October 4, 2017) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following is a statement from Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa in response to the House Education and Workforce Committee’s approval today of a measure that...

(Source: White House press release, October 4, 2017) WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald J. Trump today announced his intent to nominate Leon “Lynn” A. Westmoreland of Georgia to be a Member of the Amtrak Board of Directors for a term of five years. Congressman Lynn...

(Source: Progressive Railroading, October 4, 2017) Juan Reyes has been appointed chief counsel of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), according to a press release issued by Seyfarth Shaw LLP, a law firm where Reyes has served as partner. Full story: Progressive...

(Source: Railway Age, October 14, 2017) NEW YORK — Long starved of funding and subject to Washington’s political whims, Amtrak is taking its message to the public with the “Ready To Build” campaign, a series of short films showcasing five critical investments it says...

(Source: CBC News, October 4, 2017) MONTREAL — Denis Soulard, a provincial police investigator deployed to Lac-Mégantic on July 6, 2013, after the fatal train wreck, says Thomas Harding, the engineer of the runaway train on the day it derailed and exploded, was...

(Source: Roanoke Star, October 3, 2017) ROANOKE, Va. — After an absence of almost 40 years passenger train service returns to downtown Roanoke via Amtrak on October 31, a day after the ceremonial first train arrives with dignitaries at the new platform that is nearing...