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Nearly 400 representatives from Class I’s and short lines to suppliers, contractors, and the associations that represent them advocated for the freight rail industry on March 4 at Railroad Day on Capitol Hill—a tradition that spans more than 25 years.

The participants met with more than 330 congressional offices to share their stories and “to ensure elected officials understand their perspective when considering important legislation that affects the freight railroad industry,” according to event host American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), which was one of eight associations participating, along with the Association of American Railroads, National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association, Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association, Railway Supply Institute, Railway Systems Suppliers Inc., Railway Tie Association, and GoRail.

Railroad Day on Capitol Hill participants met with (clockwise from top left) Representative Blake Moore (center) of Utah, Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (third from right) of Mississippi, Representative Frank Pallone (right) of New Jersey, and Representative Adriano Espaillat (center) of New York. (Caption and Photographs Courtesy of ASLRRA)

At the meetings, industry representatives focused on four key points, calling on Congress to:

1. “Update tax policies that incentivize private investment in infrastructure.
2. “Guarantee full and consistent funding for federal rail safety grants and encourage the innovation and deployment of safety-enhancing technology.
3. “Accelerate speed to build, advancing permitting reforms that provide greater transparency and predictability while ensuring timely, focused environmental reviews.
4. “Restore the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) to a user-based system and oppose increases to truck size and weight limits.”

“The services our industry delivers support tens of thousands of shippers nationwide, helping businesses stay competitive and keeping prices affordable for American families,” ASLRRA President Chuck Baker said. “Railroad Day on Capitol Hill puts a face on the businesses and communities that Congressional actions will impact, making connections that will be invaluable to the industry and to Congress as it considers legislation that will produce powerful outcomes for the public.” 

(UP Photograph)

Union Pacific (UP) was among those that sent a delegation to Washington, D.C. The 17 members from the Public Affairs, Environment, Operations, Communications, and Marketing and Sales departments met with numerous congressional members and their staff. They discussed, among other things, “ways in which the federal permitting process can be streamlined to speed up infrastructure projects and how America’s freight railroads are vital to the country’s economic development,” according to the railroad.

“Strong public policies that support the rail industry are not just good for railroads, they also provide critical support to the nation’s supply chain and the businesses and consumers who rely upon railroads to deliver their products,” said Andrew Brady, Vice President-External Relations for UP. “This was also a great opportunity to educate our country’s leaders about the merger and how it will increase competition in the nation’s supply chain.”

Following are highlights from the event.

“This week, CN teams from various functions had a chance to speak with U.S. lawmakers in Washington D.C. during the 2026 Railroad Day on the Hill hosted by the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association,” CN shared via social media. “This was an opportunity to share our story and connect with lawmakers to flag important railroad legislation issues. Thank you to all the organizers and participants for the great conversations!” (Courtesy of CN) “The G&W team was out in force at American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s Railroad Day on the Hill yesterday [March 4]!” Genesee & Wyoming reported via social media. “The group collectively met with roughly 200 different offices on Capitol Hill to help elected officials understand the issues at hand and the industry’s priorities as Congress begins to deliberate the Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill, tax issues and bigger trucks. #RailDay2026” (Courtesy of G&W) “Special thanks to Rep. Bruce Westerman for taking the time to meet with Patriot Rail, our short line colleagues, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, and rail partners today [March 4] during #RailDay2026 to discuss the important issues facing the freight rail industry” Patriot Rail reported via social media. “We appreciate the opportunity to share perspectives on how short line railroads help keep goods moving, support local economies, and strengthen our nation’s supply chain. #Infrastructure #EconomicDevelopment #TransportationPolicy #RailAdvocacy #KeepingAmericaMoving” (Courtesy of Patriot Rail)

The post Industry Marks Railroad Day on Capitol Hill appeared first on Railway Age.

A group of rebuilt F40PH locomotives is entering service on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Commuter Rail, part of a new fleet of lease units owned by Rolling Stock Solutions. 

The average age of commuter rail locomotives in the U.S is 28 years, according to Rolling Stock Solutions CEO Phil Puccia, and many agencies are looking to upgrade their fleets. But acquiring and building new locomotives can take years, so RSS purchased a small fleet of former Amtrak F40PH locomotives (12 in total) and has been rebuilding them at Metro East Industries in East St. Louis, Ill.

“The F40PH was probably one of the most widely used locomotives in the country, and so we wanted to be able to provide a locomotive that the mechanical and operations people already knew,” Puccia told Railway Age. “The F40PH is basically the Toyota Camry of locomotives.”

The first unit went into service on MBTA earlier this year, and Puccia said additional units will be entering service in the coming weeks and months. Other transit agencies have also expressed interest in RSS’ locomotives. 

—Justin Franz 

The post New F40 Lease Fleet Enters Service on MBTA appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

CN (CN Photograph)

February 2026 was the best February on record for grain movement at CN, the Class I reported March 5. Shipping more than 2.67 million metric tons (MMT) of grain from Western Canada, CN said it “continued to demonstrate its ability to meet heightened seasonal demand during peak grain shipping periods.”

As grain volumes typically accelerate through the winter months following harvest, CN said is “position[ing] resources and work[ing] with its grain customers and supply chain partners to support farmers in efficiently getting Canadian grain to domestic and global markets.”

(Courtesy of CN)

The railroad recently reported that January 2026 was its “second-best” January on record for grain movement. It shipped more than 2.72 MMT of grain from Western Canada, down slightly from the 2.85 MMT “all-time record” set in January 2020.

CN said it continues to execute its winter operations plan.

Separately, CPKC on March 3 reported moving 2.232 MMT of Canadian grain and grain products in February, beating its previous February tonnage record set in 2021. Last month’s 23,088 carloads also set a new February monthly record, surpassing the previous high also set in February 2021, it noted.

cn-2025-irap-enDownload

Meanwhile, following the November 2024 release of its first Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan (IRAP) 2025-2027, CN on March 4 shared an update on the progress it has achieved and the priorities ahead around five pillars:

1. Cultural Awareness and Employee Engagement.
2. People and Employment.
3. Economic Reconciliation.
4. Community Engagement and Relationships.
5. Environmental Stewardship, Safety and Sustainability.

“At CN, we respectfully acknowledge that our railway was built and continues to be operated on many traditional territories and treaty areas of Indigenous Peoples,” the railroad noted on the “Strengthening Our Ties With Indigenous Communities” section of its website. “CN’s network spans nearly 20,000 miles across Turtle Island (North America). We operate within or adjacent to more than 220 reserve lands of nearly 130 First Nations and Métis communities in Canada and seven tribal reservations in the United States. We are grateful for the privilege of working and residing on these lands. We recognize and honor the original people who continue to serve as the traditional stewards of the land.”

CN in its new 2025 IRAP Annual Report (see, top) confirms the delivery of 20 of the 24 actions scheduled for completion. Among them: completing the curriculum for new national cultural awareness training; developing land acknowledgements for all CN locations and making them accessible to employees; finalizing a multi-year, companywide indigenous employment strategy; and communicating Indigenous procurement goals and expectations to Tier 1 suppliers. According to CN, two actions were rescheduled for 2026 and two targets were “recalibrated based on lessons learned and economic conditions.” The railroad also reported completing ahead of schedule two actions originally planned for 2026 and 2027.

“Our progress reflects our commitment to listen, learn, and act with transparency and humility,” CN President and CEO Tracy Robinson said. “Several milestones marked this year’s success, demonstrating that reconciliation is not a destination but a journey that requires engagement and accountability. While we are proud of the progress we have made, we remain determined to continue to challenge ourselves and remain focused on building stronger relationships with Indigenous communities.”

Beyond the formal IRAP commitments, CN said that it continued to build relationships and deepen engagement by:

• Holding more than 500 meetings and consultations with Indigenous partners, including eight formal consultation processes.
• Participating in more than 240 Indigenous community events.
• Delivering of more than 15 in-person rail safety and emergency response training sessions.
• Supporting more than 170 Indigenous communities and organizations through different sponsorships and donations.

Separately, CN has launched two commemorative locomotives—moving tributes marking the 250th anniversary of the United States signing of the Declaration of Independence. Both units are expected to operate across the railroad’s U.S. network throughout 2026, “offering employees, customers and rail enthusiasts an opportunity to participate in the celebration.”

CSX (Screen grab from CSX video)

CSX last month hosted its 35th Annual Short Line Conference in Jacksonville, Fla., welcoming more than 130 partners.

The Class I, which connects with more than 240 small roads, highlighted “operational excellence, commercial strategy and collaboration” at the event. CSX President and CEO Steve Angel opened the conference with a keynote address, followed by a leadership panel focused on service improvement and operational innovation. Additional sessions covered market outlook, legal and government affairs updates, industrial development, and a short line success story, culminating in the annual CSX Short Line Awards.

“The awards celebrate short line partners who demonstrate strong operational performance, a shared focus on safety and service, and a commitment to supporting customer growth across the CSX network,” CSX reported March 4. “Winners were selected based on net carload growth, percentage carload growth, and switch road growth.”

The following short lines were recognized:

• Columbus & Ohio River Rail Road (a Genesee & Wyoming subsidiary)
• Decatur & Eastern Illinois Railroad (a Watco subsidiary)
• Effingham Railroad (a Regional Rail LLC subsidiary)
• Falls Road Railroad (a Genesee Valley Transportation Co. subsidiary)
• MG Rail (a Consolidated Grain and Barge Co. subsidiary)
• Newburgh & South Shore Railroad (an OmniTRAX affiliate)
• Savannah & Old Fort Railroad (a Watco subsidiary)
• Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway (a Genesee & Wyoming subsidiary)
• West Virginia Central Railroad (owned and overseen by the West Virginia Division of Multimodal Transportation Facilities Rail Section)

(Screen grab from CSX video)

“This year’s award recipients exemplify what it means to be a strong CSX partner,” noted Ryan Higgins, Vice President of Sales and Marketing-Industrial Products at CSX. “Their dedication to safety, service, and collaboration helps drive shared success for our customers and communities.”

Watch a video showcasing all the award presentation photographs below:

In other CSX news, the railroad recently reported cutting cargo theft by more than 80% in Memphis and modernizing its data platform with Infosys and Microsoft.

Separately, Railway Age late last month named it 2026 Short Line and Regional Railroads of the Year.

UP (UP Photograph)

Evergreen Shipping Agency has named UP as its 2025 Rail Vendor of the Year, the Class I reported March 4 via social media. “We are proud to deliver award-winning, reliable intermodal service our customers can count on,” UP noted.

Evergreen Shipping Agency (America) Corp. is the North America general agent for ocean carrier Evergreen Line, providing customer service, sales, marketing, logistics and administrative support.

Separately, UP and Heartland Co-op recently celebrated the first train loading at the new Millerton, Iowa, facility. Also, UP announced last month that it signed a $1.2 billion agreement with Wabtec to modernize UP AC4400 locomotives and that its Big Boy No. 4014 will make 27 whistle-stops during the western leg of its coast-to-coast tour.

The post Class I Briefs: CN, CSX, UP appeared first on Railway Age.

Telos Advisers

Telos Advisers on March 4 announced that Felicia Alexander has joined the company as Senior Director. She is a nationally recognized leader and subject matter expert in infrastructure pre-development and capital funding strategy.

Prior to joining Telos, Alexander served as Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), where she advanced national initiatives focused on mobility, safety, and economic competitiveness. She also held senior leadership roles at the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Alexander played a key leadership role overseeing the FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program, the federal government’s primary funding source for major transit expansion and modernization projects nationwide. Earlier in her career, she served as Deputy Director and Division Chief at the Maryland State Highway Administration, where she managed $5.4 billion under the state’s six-year Consolidated Transportation Program.

“The entire team at Telos is thrilled to welcome Felicia. She understands how federal programs operate, how projects compete for funding, and what it takes to move initiatives from concept to implementation. Our clients will benefit immediately from her insight and leadership,” said Telos co-founders Eric Daleo and Megan Strickland.

At Telos, Alexander’s work will focus on complex project funding strategy, project management, infrastructure development, and transit-oriented development strategy.

“I understand the complexity of advancing major capital programs in today’s funding environment,” said Alexander. “Telos provides practical, experience-driven guidance to clients navigating complex transportation and infrastructure projects, and I’m proud to join a team with significant public-sector executive experience.”

Alexander’s appointment, the company says, “reflects Telos’ continued commitment to providing clients with the perspective of former senior transportation and infrastructure executives who have led public agencies and delivered major capital programs firsthand,” including former Federal Transit Administration Associate Administrator for Program Management Bruce Robinson, who joined the firm in 2025. Last month, Telos welcomed former Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner to its Strategic Advisory Board.

DART

To celebrate Women’s History Month, COMTO named 10 transit leaders Trailblazing the transportation industry in their annual “Women Who Move the Nation,” Awards, including DART President and CEO Nadine Lee.

Lee and the nine other transportation leaders will be honored at the 15th annual COMTO awards ceremony on April 15 in Washington, D.C.

“It is an honor to represent DART and the North Texas community as I’m recognized alongside my peers in the transportation industry,” said Lee. “The role of transit is more than moving people from point a to point b. Transit represents access, freedom, and mobility for people and communities.”

Lee joined DART as President and CEO in 2021 from Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) where she served as Chief of Staff.

In her time at DART, Lee has focused the agency on the Point B initiative, a 10-year strategic approach “to ensure DART is the first-in-mind mobility partner for North Texans.” The first Point B Annual Report, published in 2025, shows significant progress toward agency goals including opening the 26-mile Silver Line commuter rail, advancing $110 million in security and cleanliness contracts, and launching DART Transform, a $2.5 billion system-modernization program. 

Denver RTD

Civil rights, equity, and regulatory compliance leader Kellie Irving has been selected as Director of RTD’s Civil Rights Division, effective March 16, following a national search.

Her career spans more than two decades across major public agencies, transportation authorities, health care organizations, and municipal governments. In this pivotal leadership role, she will “develop, plan, direct, and manage the operations of the division, which is responsible for furthering Civil Rights goals through programmatic strategy development and implementation, training, community outreach, regulatory compliance, and complaint investigation.”

She will report to the Deputy CEO, with a dotted line to the General Manager and CEO in her role as the Accountable Executive with ultimate responsibility for carrying out the agency’s Civil Rights program as required by the FTA.

Irving is respected for her leadership in Title VI and VII, ADA Title II and III, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE), and socioeconomic program implementation. “She is a lifelong advocate for equitable access and inclusive opportunity and has built a reputation for transforming compliance programs into engines of transparency, accountability, and community impact,” the agency noted.

“My career in regulatory compliance has been an exciting journey, defined by a deep respect for fairness and transparency,” Irving said. “Through years of honing my craft across this great nation in different states and agencies, I have learned that while governance is visionary and leadership is necessary, our employees are priceless, and the citizens are the reason we serve. I am truly honored to have been selected as Director of the Civil Rights Division for RTD. As a dedicated public administrator, I commit myself to the Denver community with a standard of excellence and a heart for service.”

Irving served most recently as Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity for the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration, where she oversaw compliance with federal, state, and local civil rights laws; managed a team of 20 professionals; and directed a $1.5 million departmental budget. Prior to that, Irving was DBE Program Manager for the Maryland Transit Solutions Joint Venture, supporting the $2.3 billion Purple Line project. She led DBE program guidance, staff supervision, outreach, and all written project communications, ensuring certified firms had meaningful access to contracting opportunities.

From 2022 to 2024, Irving served as Deputy Assistant Director for the Houston Airports System Office of Business Opportunity, where she directed Minority and Women, Small, and Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprise (MW/S/PDBE) and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) compliance for one of the nation’s largest airport systems. Earlier roles include Manager of Regulatory Compliance and Civil Rights for Long Beach Transit; DBE Administrator for the San Mateo County (California) Transportation Authority; Compliance Director for the Consolidated Government of Augusta, Georgia; and Diversity Programs Director for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana.

In addition to her public sector leadership, Irving has extensive entrepreneurial experience as Principal Consultant of Taylor Sloane & Associates, a boutique consulting firm specializing in diversity, affirmative action, government relations, and community engagement. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration with an emphasis in Urban Administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills. She also holds certificates in Spanish for Public Service, Alternative Dispute Resolution – Mediation, OSHA Construction Safety, and Plan Reading.

The post People News: Telos Advisers, DART, Denver RTD appeared first on Railway Age.

The Center for Railroad Photography & Art‘s annual conference visits Indianapolis from April 24 to 26, featuring yet another great lineup of railroad image makers to headline one of the hobby’s marquee events. Festivities kick off on Friday evening with a ride aboard the Nickel Plate Express in nearby Noblesville, which will feature appetizers, drinks, and a photo runby at the halfway point. Then on Saturday and Sunday, the event moves to a beautiful new conference space at the Indiana History Center in Indianapolis. For more information and to register for the event, visit the conference page on CRP&A’s website. The event is filling up quickly, so register today. In the meantime, enjoy a preview of Conversations 2026 courtesy of CRP&A and Railfan & Railroad…

 

Darryl Bond: Five Passes – Better Living Through Rail Photography Darryl Bond will share five life lessons he learned while photographing trains from five mountain passes in California, New Zealand, China, Switzerland, and Chile. In his presentation, “Five Passes: Better Living Through Rail Photography,” he’ll show that photographing trains isn’t just about recording slices of history… It’s a hobby, a passion, a creative outlet, and even an addiction. Born in New Zealand, Bond has been taking pictures of trains since he was 11. He spent most of his career working for an American software company, spending twenty years in Australia, the US, and Europe before returning home ten years ago. Since starting a New Zealand railway magazine in 2020 as a pandemic lockdown project, he has made zero progress on restoring his 1955 six-axle diesel-electric. Jeff Mast: Working with Difficult or Lacking Lighting Jeff Mast of Canton, Michigan, has been actively photographing for nearly 55 years. His presentation, “Working with difficult or lacking lighting,” will examine his love of sunrise, sunset, and blue-hour lighting conditions, as well as available low-light, time-exposure, and flashbulb opportunities. He’ll share a look at his early film work, evolving through the changes and creativity available following his switch to digital cameras in 2005. Mast retired from municipal engineering in 2012, and again from an engineering consulting firm in 2024. He has written numerous published articles; his images have won numerous awards and populate many books. He enjoys all aspects of photography, however low, interesting lighting, steam and great lakes boats and lighthouses hold a large part of his interest. David R. Busse: Let Me Tell You a Story After four decades in the television news business, David R. Busse discovered there’s always a good story to go with an image, whether a still photo or video. His presentation, “Let Me Tell You a Story,” highlights a career of telling stories to a variety of audiences, mixing pictures, words, and sounds with a lifelong interest in trains. Busse grew up in suburban St. Louis and earned his first photographic credit in Trains magazine as a high school senior; he’s contributed to many railroad publications and video programs over the years. Professionally, he spent four decades of “boots on the ground” local and network broadcast journalism covering everything from Olympics and politics to natural disasters, war, civil unrest, and big court cases. He lives in Northwest Montana and maintains a winter home in Southern California. Jennifer Al-Beik: Making My Track

Jennifer Al-Beik will present “Making My Track…”, discussing her progress as a photographer and sharing photographs she has taken during her railfanning experiences—including favorite shots as well as those that document the progress of the Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway, where she volunteers. Al-Beik has been an artist nearly all of her life, and a railfan/railroad photographer for about seven of those years; as a doctor of veterinary medicine, she builds resilience by exercising her creativity. She’s also a mom to a ten-year old who is a soccer player, offering her another photographic subject along with trains, animals, planes, and nature. “The world around me is indeed my inspiration,” she writes. “To take photos of what is here now … as someday it will not be.”

Robert West: Passion Born in Great Falls, Montana, Robert West is a full-time railroad artist and author who has dedicated 47 years to painting vivid, highly detailed portraits of North American railroading. As a direct descendant of Pullman Porters and “Gandy Dancers,” he brings a deep understanding of railroading and the hardworking individuals who built its legacy to his art and lectures. In his presentation, “Passion,” Robert will explain the technical aspects of his paintings, shedding light on the creative and metaphorical significance embedded in his works. His approach is designed to provide audiences with a deeper understanding of both his art and the stories behind railroading.

 

David P. Oroszi’s Photo Collections 

In “Dave Oroszi’s Photo Collections,” David P. Oroszi will highlight images from many of his thirty-plus railroad photography collections, most of which have come from friends who’ve passed away. In choosing images, he has narrowed his presentation to draw from twenty collections from some of his closest friends. Born in 1948, Dave resides in Dayton, Ohio, and has always liked trains. He has co-authored nearly fifteen books on railroads, served as news editor of CTC Board magazine, and he’s run the annual Summerail photography event since 1996. He is the co-chairman of the Rail Festival at the Carillon Historical Park in Dayton since 2005, and he’s working with the park’s staff to restore a building that will house his collection, as well as the Dayton History collection.

The post Photo Line: A Preview of CRP&A’s Conversations 2026 appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

The Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) has released a request for proposals (RFP) for a flatcar training platform buildout, part of its Safety Train project. Submissions are due April 15, 2026.

The Safety Train project, announced last spring, is slated to help bolster the SLSI’s hazardous materials (hazmat) emergency response training, which is offered to short line and regional railroad employees and first responders.

The train will comprise a classroom railcar, tank car(s), and a flatcar with tank car valve and fitting configurations, allowing users to see the size and scale of and interact directly with the equipment they would encounter on the job or in an emergency, according to SLSI. It will be used to provide comprehensive hazmat training with both hands-on and classroom components.

The SLSI’s RFP No. 2026-001 is for the modification of an existing flatcar into a training platform “with multiple exhibits (props) affixed to the railcar deck, and in displays within 20-foot shipping containers,” according to the RFP (download below; see general layout design, top). “The completed project will provide an open, safe learning environment with safety railings, a non-slip painted deck surface, and stair access on both sides of the car. It will also include pre-wired electrical for lighting, fans, etc., powered by shore line supply provided by an adjacent boxcar classroom, or an on-board portable power generator. A removable lightweight, durable, all-weather sunshade on a guidewire system anchored between the two containers.”

SLSI-Flatcar-Training-Platform-RFP-3-2-26Download

Props or training aids will include:

• “Complete DOT105 ‘next gen’ housing commonly used in chlorine transportation. Includes two liquid valves, one vapor valve, and combination pressure relief device. Housing dome cover/lid with lift assist.
• “Complete DOT112 housing commonly used in LPG/Anhydrous Ammonia service. Includes two liquid valves, one vapor valve, pressure relief device, magnetic gauging device, sample line valve, and thermometer well. This housing will also show a representative view of the eduction tubes, sample line, thermometer well, and magnetic gauging device below the pressure plate … Magnetic gauging device trimmed to fit and functional. Ends of tubes to be sealed to prevent insect infestation. One liquid eduction tube to be tapped with common pneumatic fitting and drain valve for liquid or vapor leak simulation. Housing dome cover/lid with lift assist.
• “DOT 113 cryogenic fittings compartment … SLSI will provide the fittings compartment assembly to construction site. Bidder will need to finish the exterior enclosure with sheet metal and fabricate a mounting base. Paint to match project.
• “Compete DOT 117 housing commonly used in petroleum crude oil service. Includes liquid valve, vapor valve, pressure relief device, and vacuum relief valve. Housing dome cover/lid with lift assist.
• “Common acid/HCL assembly to include fittings plate, fill hole, liquid valve, air valve, and rupture disc assembly.
• “Legacy 111 display commonly used for diesel fuel service. Three main components to be placed in relationship to each other as seen on units in service.”

The RFP also includes a list of components that will be on display in the finished instructional areas of each of the containers. One container will house components relating to high pressure tank cars, and the other container will house components relating to general service tank cars. These components will be affixed to display tables that are free-standing lengthwise with the container.

SLSI Executive Director Tom Murta is the project lead. RFP questions are due April 5, 2026, and RFP submissions are due April 15, 2026. Bid selection is scheduled for April 30, 2026, and the project start date is May 15, 2026.

The post SLSI Issues RFP for ‘Safety Train’ Project appeared first on Railway Age.

Railway Age’s 2026 Short Line and Regional of the Year program recognizes two Honorees and two Honorable Mentions for outstanding achievement—from growing through strategic investment, providing top-notch service, and positioning themselves as technology innovators to delivering value to the industry, partners, customers and the local communities they serve each day. These small-road standouts were selected from more than 20 finalists in the United States and Canada.

Union County Industrial Railroad, a North Shore Railroad Company affiliate, and Georgia Central Railway, a Genesee & Wyoming subsidiary, are our Short Line and Regional Railroads of the Year, respectively. Earning Honorable Mention are Sierra Northern Railway (Short Line) and R. J. Corman Railroad Company’s Nashville & Eastern Railroad (Regional).

Inside the March 2026 issue, you’ll also find these feature stories:

• Not Your ‘Run of the Mill’ Gondolas — Improved carbody materials and innovative designs are transforming these long-lived warhorses into state-of-the-art railcars.

• Building Successful Industrial Development Spaces — Norfolk Southern and Watco provide prime examples of how railroads can attract manufacturing plants to their systems and grow business.

• Intermodal Focus: South Carolina Ports Authority — Now the No. 8 U.S. port by volume and still looking to grow, South Carolina Ports Authority boasts the deepest harbor on the East Coast and “can handle any ship, any tide, any time.”

• Collision Avoidance, the AI Way — Creating safer rail operations through artificial intelligence applications.

• Wheel/Rail Vertical Impact Force Measurement Comparison — MxV Rail’s study covers three key techniques: high-accuracy instrumented wheelsets, a new bearing adapter that blends force measurement with acceleration compensation, and a high-accuracy in-track bi-circuit.

Plus, Railway Age Capitol Hill Contributing Editor Frank Wilner profiles Michelle A. Shultz, the Surface Transportation Board’s “preordained ‘Energizer Bunny’”; Financial Editor David Nahass in a column and companion podcast talks with Trinity Industries Inc. CFO Eric Marchetto about the “ocean of capital chasing trains”; and John Hankey, Contributing Editor and railroad historian and preservation project consultant, explains why the Bicentennial of American Railroading should serve as a kind of awakening, as there is much to be gained, he says, by nesting railroading’s 200 years deeply within America’s 250.

These highlights and more can be accessed in Railway Age’s March 2026 digital edition:

The post Railway Age March 2026 Digital Edition Spotlights Small-Road Standouts appeared first on Railway Age.

By bringing together ZEDAS (Germany), Railroad Software (USA), Raspberry Software (UK), and Automated Rail (USA), Waynova Group says the platform “delivers rail-focused software and hardware solutions to operators, infrastructure managers, and maintenance organizers.”

The Waynova Group rail platform spans:

• Asset management, maintenance planning and execution.
• Inspection and compliance documentation.
• Yard and rail transport management.
• Revenue protection and back-office services.
• Rail-specific hardware integration, including AEI and mobile field devices.

The unified structure, Waynova Group says, “strengthens product coordination and expertise across regions and products.” Existing customer relationships, contracts, and support teams remain unchanged. Waynova Group operates across North America and Europe, providing localized expertise with cross-regional collaboration and shared product direction.

“Strong rail software is built on deep process understanding. But real progress happens when depth meets scale, speed and specialization,” said Waynova Group CEO Jake Micsak. “By bringing our companies together, we create the foundation to evolve faster and support our customers even more effectively.”

The post Waynova Group Unveils Unified Technology Platform appeared first on Railway Age.

The plan (download below) “positions rail as a key driver of economic growth, freight mobility, passenger connectivity, and public safety,” according to NMDOT. “It advances strategic projects that will improve railroad crossing safety, reduce roadway congestion, enhance freight efficiency, and strengthen New Mexico’s competitiveness.”

“The 2026 State Rail Plan is a roadmap for strengthening New Mexico’s transportation future,” said NMDOT Executive Director of Modal Programs David Harris. “By aligning priority projects with federal funding opportunities, we are building a safer, more competitive rail network that supports communities and industry statewide.”

The plan, NMDOT says, prioritizes major grade separation and freight connectivity projects, including:

• Gallup – $44.89 million in Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) funding awarded for a railway-highway grade separation project. Construction start date pending.
• Texico – $73 million in FRA funding awarded for a grade separation project, anticipated to begin in 2030, in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation.
• Santa Teresa – $37 million in FRA funding awarded for project design and construction. Design is now under way.
• Clovis – $1 million in FRA funding awarded for project design, now under way. Construction funding is not yet identified.
• Farmington Freight Rail Connection – Continued planning for a proposed new freight rail link connecting Farmington to the national rail network. Timeline to be determined.

Inclusion in the State Plan, NMDOT says, “ensures these projects remain eligible for future FRA and other federal funding opportunities.”

By aligning state priorities with federal investment criteria, the 2026 State Rail Plan “strengthens New Mexico’s ability to secure national funding and deliver long-term rail improvements that enhance safety, mobility, and economic opportunity statewide,” NMDOT noted.

NMDOT_New_Mexico_State_Rail_Plan_FINAL_20260213Download

The post NMDOT Finalizes 2026 State Rail Plan appeared first on Railway Age.

The unusual. 'Coffin Berkshires'

Welcome to the second half of the 19th century, when the railroad was revolutionizing transportation in the United States of America at breathtaking speed and playing a central role in transforming the country into the land of opportunity. It was also a time of rapid development in steam locomotive construction. Driven by the mantra of creating ever bigger, more powerful, and faster designs, new loco types were often named after the areas in which they were used.
The construction of a machine that had four driving axles as well as one leading and one trailing axle represented a milestone in freight traffic. As well as improving the performance on curves, the design permitted a longer boiler design compared to the locos without leading or trailing axles. A larger firebox also delivered an extra performance boost. Since the driving axles were now in front of the firebox, they could be made larger, which, in turn, enabled higher speeds.

We are now offering this model (Märklin and Trix) as a completely new design with matching freight cars

Marklin/Trix Berkshire Southern Pacific  2-8-4 Steam Locomotive linked below;

Marklin Southern Pacific Freight Car Set and Caboose linked below;

Trix Southern Pacific Freight Car Set linked below;

Note: You can easily extend the Marklin Freight car set by adding the Trix Car Set. Conversely, one can extend teh Trix version by adding the Marklin Freight Car Set as well as the Caboose. One simply needs to change the Marklin Cars to DC wheels when running 2-Rail DC.

Pre-order these fantastic models now before they sell out. 

 Note: For US Customers, these will ship directly to them from Marklin, USA. 

 

A cosmetic restoration of a Northern Pacific S-4 class 4-6-0 is underway in Missoula, Mont. Locomotive 1356 has been on display next to the former NP (now BNSF Railway) yard near downtown Missoula since the 1950s, and now a local group is spearheading an effort to freshen the locomotive up. 

Locomotive 1356 was one of 40 S-4 class 4-6-0s that the NP purchased in 1902 from Baldwin. The engine was assigned to the Rocky Mountain Division and worked everything from express passenger trains to log trains. The engine was also used to rescue people during the infamous Big Burn of 1910, a wildfire that tore through eastern Washington, northern Idaho and western Montana, scorching 4,700 square miles and killing at least 87 people. 

The locomotive was retired in June 1954, after working as a helper over Evaro Hill west of Missoula. The engine was later sent to Tacoma, Wash., where it was nearly scrapped before being selected to be put on display in Missoula. Local railroaders tasked with finding a locomotive for the city were quick to select 1356, and one of them, roundhouse forman Harry Larson, later recalled that the 4-6-0 was the “best doggone engine for her size that ever worked out of Missoula.”

Over the years, the engine had received some cosmetic work to maintain its appearance. But a few years ago, a local group called Friends of the 1356 was organized to help protect the engine for the future. Presently, the group is working towards rebuilding the locomotive’s cab and making repairs to the tender. Eventually, they would like to have an informational kiosk and allow visitors to look into the cab (the engine is presently gated off). For more information, visit missoula1356.org. 

Locomotive 1356 is not the only one of her class that is receiving attention this year. Last month, the Northern Pacific Railroad Museum in Toppenish, Wash., fired up sister locomotive 1364 for the first time in 73 years. 

—Justin Franz 

The post Cosmetic Restoration of NP 4-6-0 Underway in Montana appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

Total U.S. rail traffic for the weeks ending Feb. 21, 2026, and Feb. 14, 2026, rose 10.7% and 6.2%, respectively.

U.S. Class I railroads moved 516,729 carloads and intermodal units for the week ending Feb. 28, 2026, AAR reported March 4. Total carloads came in at 238,131, up 6.9%, and intermodal volume was 278,598 containers and trailers, down 2.5% from the same week last year.

For the week ending Feb. 28, 2026, eight of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2025. They included grain, up 4,210 carloads, to 25,210; coal, up 3,864 carloads, to 63,950; and chemicals, up 2,900 carloads, to 36,642. Commodity groups that posted declines were forest products, down 427 carloads, to 7,905; and miscellaneous carloads, down 302 carloads, to 8,599.

For the first eight weeks of 2026, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 1,762,504 carloads, a 5.5% increase from the prior-year period; and 2,191,101 intermodal units, a 1.0% fall-off from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first eight weeks of 2026 was 3,953,605 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.8% compared with last year.

North American rail volume for the week ending Feb. 28, 2026, on nine reporting U.S., Canadian, and Mexican railroads totaled 345,406 carloads, up 4.1% from the same week last year, and 366,411 intermodal units, down 0.1% from last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America came in at 711,817 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.9%. North American rail volume for the first eight weeks of this year was 5,442,179 carloads and intermodal units, up 2.5% from 2025.

Canadian railroads reported 93,668 carloads for the week ending Feb. 28, 2026, rising 2.5%, and 74,256 intermodal units, climbing 11.3% compared with the same week last year. For the first eight weeks of 2026, they reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 1,274,116 carloads, containers, and trailers, up 2.5%.

Mexican railroads reported 13,607 carloads for the week ending Feb. 28, 2026, dropping 22.5% from the same point last year, and 13,557 intermodal units, dipping 4.5%. Their cumulative volume for the first eight weeks of this year came in at 214,458 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, increasing 17.0% from the same point last year.

The post Rail Traffic Up for Third Consecutive Week appeared first on Railway Age.

JAXPORT

STV on March 3 reported being selected by JAXPORT to provide engineering and design services for a project that will improve vessel-to-rail connectivity at Talleyrand Marine Terminal (TMT) and Dames Point Marine Terminal (DPMT) and support Florida’s increasing demand for aggregate imports.

According to the firm, it will lead engineering and design upgrades at TMT and DPMT, including environmental coordination, phased design documents, and support cost estimating and bidding. The aim of its work with JAXPORT, rail operators—such as CSX, Norfolk Southern, Florida East Coast Railway, and Watco’s Jacksonville Port Terminal Railroad—and other stakeholders is to “deliver an integrated rail network that supports long-term growth at the port,” STV noted.

“This project positions Jacksonville to move aggregate cargo faster and more efficiently as demand continues to rise,” STV Senior Vice President and Florida District Manager Keith Jackson said. ”Our team is designing rail infrastructure that directly improves how vessels, rail and terminals work together to keep the nation’s supply chain moving efficiently and effectively.”

STV has completed a variety of infrastructure projects across Florida, such as the SunRail Phase 2 Northern Expansion, Florida State Road A1A Improvements and Okeechobee Road/Miami Canal Bridge.

Separately, the firm recently expanded its footprint in Florida by opening two new offices in Jacksonville and Lake Mary; was selected to support Utah Transit Authority’s FrontRunner 2X Project; and appointed Jerry Jannetti as President of Transportation South.

Port of Wilmington A rendering of what phase one of the intermodal rail yard project at the Port of Wilmington will look like when complete. (Courtesy of North Carolina State Ports Authority)

A $22.5 million intermodal rail yard expansion project at the CSX-served Port of Wilmington is slated for completion by the end of June, WECT News 6 reported March 3.

Awarded an $18 million RAISE grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the North Carolina State Ports Authority broke ground on the project in fall 2024. It will add “four new working tracks with a combined length of 5,000 feet,” according to the media outlet.

“Once complete, phase one of the project will expand the Port of Wilmington’s intermodal rail throughput capacity to more than 150,000 TEUs annually, according to the authority,” WECT News 6 reported. “The port currently handles approximately 14,000 container movements by rail each year.”

“This added capacity is essential to support continued growth following three consecutive years of record intermodal rail volume,” a NC State Ports Authority spokesperson told the media outlet. “Our express intermodal rail products provide service to Charlotte, Rocky Mount, and Chicago.”

NC-Ports-Capital-Improvements-2025Download

The post Intermodal Briefs: JAXPORT, Port Wilmington appeared first on Railway Age.

Stucki

Stucki recently announced the launch of its newly redesigned website, which has been in development for more than a year and offers “a bold new look, improved navigation, and fast, easy access to information about Stucki’s products and services.”

“This is an exciting and important step for our company,” said Stucki CEO Ron Port. “Two years ago, we began to consolidate our subsidiary businesses under the Stucki name, and now our website represents that unified identity with a comprehensive visual presentation of our brands.”

The site features Stucki’s full portfolio of rail and infrastructure solutions for freight cars, locomotive parts and services, and maintenance of way. A range of technical resources is available, including product descriptions and literature, and information about industry certifications and approvals.

A new feature includes quote basket functionality, which enables visitors to request quotes on multiple items for “a faster, more efficient experience.”

Updated employment listings and an online newsroom round out the site’s main features.

“We designed the site with our customers in mind, making it easier to find the products and services they need and connect with our teams at every location,” said Port.

STV

STV on March 3 announced the promotion of Aaron Jones, APR, to Vice President of Media on the communications team. He will oversee the media team, which includes earned, paid and social media, as well as video content production. As part of this new role, Jones will co-lead the communications team’s AI transformation to “strengthen STV’s brand and support its long-term growth.”

Aaron Jones, APR, VP of Media, STV.

In three years at STV, Jones has “driven the strategies that have doubled STV’s social media audience, doubled its share-of-voice among competitors and generated nearly three billion earned media impressions,” the firm noted. He has also advanced major enterprise-wide initiatives, including launching STV’s rebrand, delivering its new award-winning website, bolstering STV’s executive communications strategy and supporting the development and dissemination of the firm’s new 3-year Strategic Plan.

“Aaron understands how modern communications teams can drive business outcomes. He brings a unique ability to combine creative storytelling with data-driven marketing strategy,” said Beth Miller, Head of Communications at STV. “Because of his leadership, curiosity and rigor, the stories about how STV makes communities better will continue to reach more clients, more community stakeholders and more talent as the company grows.”

Jones brings more than a decade of expertise in PR, digital marketing strategy and executive communications with experience across corporate, agency and nonprofit sectors. He holds a BA in Communications from the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) and earned his Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from the Universal Accreditation Board in the United States.

The post Supply Side: Stucki, STV appeared first on Railway Age.

A new independent economic study assessing the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Surface Transportation Authorization Recommendations finds that “every $1 billion invested in public transportation generates $5 billion in long-term economic value and supports tens of thousands of jobs nationwide.” These findings, APTA says, “provide clear evidence that sustained Federal investment in public transit and passenger rail delivers significant returns for workers, communities, taxpayers, and the U.S. economy.”

On Feb. 19, 2026, the APTA Board of Directors approved the APTA Surface Transportation Authorization Recommendations (download below), “which urge Congress and the Administration to build upon current investment for public transit and passenger rail to drive job creation, innovation, and economic growth by providing $138 billion for public transit and $130 billion for passenger rail over the next five years.”

APTA-Surface-Trans-Auth-Recommendations-022026Download

The report, Economic Impact of Public Transportation Investment (download below), finds that investment in public transportation “delivers strong taxpayer returns through job creation, increased tax revenue, improved access to jobs and healthcare, reduced congestion, and lower household transportation costs.” The report specifically finds that these critical public transportation investments will create an additional $140 billion in annual impacts on the American economy, APTA noted.

“Public transportation is one of the smartest investments we can make in America’s economic future,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “A $1 billion investment doesn’t just move people. It moves our entire economy forward, creating tens of thousands of jobs and unlocking billions in economic opportunity.”

“Federal investment enables public transit agencies nationwide to address the more than $150 billion state-of-good-repair backlog, meet growing mobility demands in our communities, and drive innovation and new technologies to enhance safety and expand access to jobs, healthcare, and education,” according to APTA.

The Economic Impact of Public Transportation Investment finds that each $1 billion invested in public transit delivers:

Economic Impact

• $5 billion of economic value (GDP) (5-to-1 economic return on investment) including $1.4 billion in direct spending from construction, and operations; and $3.6 billion in long-term benefits from improved mobility, reduced congestion, and expanded access to jobs and healthcare.

Job Creation

• 41,400 jobs created or sustained across construction, manufacturing, operations, and supplier industries.
• $3.1 billion in worker income supported.

Taxpayer Returns

• $251 million in Federal, State, and local tax revenue.

“These results are not accidental. They are the direct outcome of Federal leadership and investment,” Skoutelas said. “When the Federal Government invests in public transportation, communities see real improvements, such as expanded service, modern vehicles, good-paying jobs, and stronger local economies.”

Other APTA research finds that 77% of Federal public transit funds flow to the private sector, supporting American manufacturing and family-wage jobs. Today, APTA also released updated bus manufacturing and rail car manufacturing schematics illustrating how Federal public transit investment supports 3,000 suppliers in more than 1,700 communities in 50 states.

“Federal investment has delivered results, but the job is far from finished,” Skoutelas said. “A strong, long-term Federal commitment is essential to drive job creation, innovation, and economic growth across the nation.”

The APTA Surface Transportation Authorization Recommendations for the next surface transportation law are guided by three key initiatives:

• “Build upon current investment for public transit and passenger rail to drive job creation, innovation, and economic growth.
• “Accelerate project delivery by eliminating statutory and regulatory barriers to building infrastructure.
• “Strengthen collaborative, local decision-making.”

APTA-Economic-Impact-of-Public-Transportation-022026Download

The post New Economic Study Assesses APTA’s Surface Transportation Authorization Recommendations appeared first on Railway Age.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on March 3 reported that it will invest $100.3 million into public transit systems within the 11 cities hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup to ensure they can meet increased demand.

The international men’s soccer tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and will be hosted by 16 cities in the United States (11), Mexico (three), and Canada (two).

According to the FTA, the 2026 FIFA World Cup funding is made possible through the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, and will go to the following Urbanized Areas (UZA): Atlanta, Ga.; Boston, Mass.-N.H.; Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Tex.; Houston, Tex.; Kansas City, Mo.-Kans.; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, Calif.; Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; New York-Jersey City-Newark, N.Y.-N.J.; Philadelphia, Pa.-N.J.-Del.-Md.; San Francisco-Oakland, Calif.; and Seattle-Tacoma, Wash.

It said the funding will:

• “[S]upport planning, capital, and operating expenses supporting matches and other public events held in U.S. host cities.
• “[B]e apportioned by a formula accounting for stadium capacity and number of matches in each host city.
• “Allow for 100% Federal share for these funds.
• “Require transit agencies to obligate these funds within one fiscal year of the close of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”

FTA has prepared a frequently asked questions fact sheet and a grant-making toolkit (download both below) to help transit agencies/other transit stakeholders and “support the effective use of these funds.” Also available are guidance videos for 2026 FIFA World Cup host cities.

World-Cup-Public-Transportation-Funding-FAQs_0Download FTA-World-Cup-Funding-Grant-Making-ToolkitDownload

FTA will also hold a 2026 World Cup Funding Webinar on March 11, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. ET.

“This funding is about more than moving fans—it’s about preparing our communities to host the largest sporting event in history and ensuring the world sees America at its best,” said Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026. “These investments will help create lasting memories for visitors and residents alike, and reinforce our commitment to safety, hospitality, and operational excellence.”

(Courtesy of LA Metro)

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim UZA, which is hosting eight World Cup games at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, is receiving $9,603,284. (Click here to see all apportionments.)

“LA Metro is grateful for the leadership of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff, and the advocacy of our LA County Congressional Delegation in securing federal funds to provide transit services for the 2026 FIFA World Cup games set to be held in southern California,” said Stephanie Wiggins, CEO of LA Metro (Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority), which offers rapid transit and light rail, bus, and micro transit services. “We are also deeply appreciative for the outstanding work of the Federal Transit Administration in allocating this funding so quickly. LA Metro will continue our positive work with our transit partners across southern California to make sure fans can use transit services whether they are going to the World Cup games at Los Angeles Stadium, or enjoying the fan zones that will be held across the county.”

With Los Angeles-area residents being joined by fans from around the world and with limited parking availability at the stadium, LA Metro and more than 10 regional transit partners, including Long Beach Transit, will provide direct service from key rail stations and locations throughout the region including:

• Crenshaw Station
• Downtown Long Beach
• El Camino College
• Harbor Gateway Transit Center
• Hawthorne/Lennox Station
• LA Union Station
• LAX/Metro Transit Center Station
• North Hollywood Station
• Pierce College

Additional locations will be announced in the coming months.

LA Metro said it will also be enhancing rail service on key routes during the World Cup, plus it has developed enhanced multilingual wayfinding and plans to deploy extra Ambassadors, volunteers and security.

The San Francisco-Oakland UZA, which is hosting six World Cup games at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, is receiving $8,807,888.

“After successfully delivering record-breaking transit service to Levi’s Stadium for Super Bowl 60, [Santa Clara] VTA [Valley Transportation Authority] is grateful for Senator Padilla’s efforts to secure critical federal funding to enhance safety and security as we prepare to welcome the world for the FIFA World Cup 2026,” added Carolyn Gonot, General Manager and CEO of VTA, which provides light rail, bus, and paratransit services. “These investments will help ensure a seamless, secure, and successful experience for fans and our community alike.”

2025-12-14-system-mapDownload

Boston will receive $8,671,598 to support the World Cup matches at Gillettte Stadium. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) “has committed to moving roughly 20,000 passengers per match in and out of Foxboro Station, using up to 14 commuter rail trains per game—a major increase compared to past events,” according to a Boston 25 News report following a Feb. 25 Massachusetts DOT Board meeting.

“Transit officials said the agency typically runs one train for Patriots games and runs four trains for the Army–Navy game,” the media outlet reported.

“Going up to 14 is monumental if you think about it,” said Phil Eng, MassDOT interim Transportation Secretary and MBTA General Manager, according to Boston 25 News, which noted that “Eng said the expanded service is being designed not only for the World Cup, but also to create a blueprint for future large-scale events.”

Public transportation will be important, the media outlet noted, because parking will be significantly reduced “due to expanded security perimeters and the setup for vendors.”

(Courtesy of TransLink)

Meanwhile, TransLink in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada has unveiled its game plan for FIFA World Cup 2026 (click here for an interactive system map). “With temporary road closures, controlled areas, and traffic management measures near venues, transit will be the fastest and easiest way to reach BC Place Vancouver and the FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver,” the agency said. Vancouver is expected to see significant surges in travel demand over a four-week period, with match days bringing the highest volumes. To meet this demand, TransLink said it will deliver service increases across bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus, and the West Coast Express commuter rail, supported by more frontline staff to manage crowds, support safety, and keep people moving efficiently.

“This region knows what it takes to host the world, and our transit system has been part of that success every step of the way,” TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn said. “Vancouver is the only 2026 host city with this track record: a World Expo, the Olympic Games, the FIFA Women’s World Cup—and now the FIFA Men’s World Cup. TransLink will leverage that experience to scale up service and move large crowds safely and reliably. Our system was built for major events, and it’s ready for the world’s biggest.”

The post FTA: $100MM for 2026 FIFA World Cup Public Transit appeared first on Railway Age.

Calgary-based CPKC has become the first Class I railroad to unveil a specially painted unit in tribute to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. 

KCS Tier 4 ET44AC 1776 was unveiled on March 2, after being constructed by Wabtec in Fort Worth, Tex. (while the engine is lettered for CPKC, it had KCS reporting marks under the cab window because “CPKC” is not an official reporting mark. Most of CPKC’s new Tier 4 units have arrived with CP reporting marks). CPKC officials said KCS 1776 would be the first of five units to celebrate the Semiquincentennial. 

“This locomotive, built and painted in Fort Worth, Texas, honors the remarkable and proud history of America as we prepare to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Keith Creel, CPKC President and Chief Executive Officer. “As a U.S. Army veteran, I am proud to join my 6,000 fellow railroaders living and working across America in celebrating the contributions of all Americans throughout our history. Together, we join the nation in looking forward with vision and hope to the accomplishments of generations yet to come.”

Union Pacific and Canadian National have either painted or announced plans to paint engines to celebrate the anniversary, but neither railroad has actually released one. Norfolk Southern and BNSF Railway have both been mum about their plans to paint special units. Numerous short lines and regionals have painted engines in advance of the anniversary.

—Justin Franz 

The post CPKC Becomes First Class I to Unveil 250th Unit appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

BART

On Monday, March 2, BART rolled out new fare gate tones that it says are “more pleasing and audible” over station background noise, making stations more welcoming and simpler to navigate, especially for blind and low-vision riders.

(BART)

The new “chime” tones play when riders hold their fare media (Clipper card, contactless bank card, or mobile payments) on the reader for an additional second and are intended to inform blind and low-vision customers that the fare gate is open to pass through. An ascending chime plays on entering and a descending chime plays on exiting. The chime tone is also easier to distinguish from the beep sound the fare gates generate for errors, such as insufficient funds. This chime tone, BART says, does not play automatically every time someone taps their fare media as this would create “a cacophony in the station and make it difficult to know if a specific fare gate were open.”

BART’s old fare gates previously used beeps to indicate the fare gates were open because they were among the few sounds the dated technology could produce. BART’s new fare gates, which were installed at all stations in August 2025, can produce a wider range of tones.

Seizing this opportunity, BART staff developed the new chime tone and collected feedback from the BART Accessibility Task Force (BATF), BART Station Agents, and an online survey during a pilot period at three stations. 

Ryan Greene-Roesel, BART Director of Customer Access and Accessibility, is a musician and developed the distinctive chime chords on her piano. BART’s sound engineers then input the chords into a digital program that let the team generate various iterations before the final iteration was selected. 

“We hope customers and station staff enjoy the new tones as we continue to work hard to improve the BART experience for all of our riders,” Greene-Roesel said.

In related news, BART is inviting members of the blind or low-vision community to a sensory orientation event on March 25.

(BART)

This free public event presents two unique opportunities to: 

• “Leisurely explore an out-of-service ten-car train. BART staff will demonstrate features such as Braille car identification numbers, inter-car barriers, and the location of train intercoms aboard the Fleet of the Future train.
• “Practice getting to safety in the event of an accidental fall onto the track with a set-up mimicking the crawl space under the platform next to the trackway.”

Another focus of the event will be navigating the vending machines, fare gates, and platforms with plenty of staff on hand to answer questions and provide information. BART has an online accessibility guide that provides additional information.

Some service providers, like Lighthouse for the Blind and Clipper, will table at the event to provide more information and resources. 

More information is available here.

Omaha Streetcar

Omaha Streetcar construction will close more downtown lanes this week as crews prepare for rail delivery, according to a KETV NewsWatch 7 report.

Beginning Monday, March 2, lane closures will start on Farnam between 10th and 13th Streets. 11th Street at Farnam will fully close, the City of Omaha says, for rail offloading and welding, according to the report.

“Completing this deep-utility work now is essential to maintaining the overall streetcar project schedule,” the City of Omaha said, acknowledging the challenges the closures cause.

Track construction in this area starts in April, according to the report.

A full timeline for streetcar construction is available here.

Further Reading:

• CAF Wins Omaha Streetcar Order
  

MBTA

The MBTA recently debuted the third of its three heritage units —all F40s—that have been updated and repainted in legacy schemes.

The New York Central Railroad scheme is now in service, honoring the legacy railroads that shaped the MBTS’s current operations.

(MBTA)

The New York Central Railroad unit joins the New Haven unit, which was debuted last month, and the Boston & Maine Railroad unit, which was introduced last September, representing the last of 37 MBTA locomotives that originally entered service between 1987 and 1991 and were recently overhauled and upgraded with remote monitoring and diagnostics, forward-facing and cab cameras, and modern brake and control systems, according to the agency.

The post Transit Briefs: BART, Omaha Streetcar, MBTA appeared first on Railway Age.

Roco announced today that the demand for the French SNCF BB 26005 has far exceeded their original production schedule of these locomotives. At present they are oversold, however, they are considering a 2nd production run of this highly-anticipated locomotive.  Based on new orders, they will make their decision March 27th. 

If you have been considering this locomotive, now is the time to place an order. Reserve yours’s now to avoid disappointment!

CPKC

CPKC in February moved 2.232 million metric tons (MMT) of Canadian grain and grain products, beating its previous February tonnage record set in 2021, the railroad reported March 3. Last month’s 23,088 carloads also set a new February monthly record, surpassing the previous high also set in February 2021, it noted.

“This is the second straight monthly Canadian grain record and it continues a strong start to 2026 as our railroaders work safely and efficiently with our supply chain collaborators to move a record grain crop across Western Canada,” CPKC Vice President Sales and Marketing Bulk Elizabeth Hucker said. “Our investments in the grain supply chain, combined with our customers’ new and upgraded grain-handling capacity, are moving more Canadian grain for export to markets around the world.”

To begin 2026, CPKC set a new January monthly Canadian grain record moving 2.395 MMT; the previous record was set in January 2023. January 2026’s 24,688 carloads surpassed the previous high also set in January 2023.

Through the first 30 weeks of the 2025-26 crop year, CPKC reported transporting more than 17.1 MMT of Canadian grain and grain products. “These are the largest Canadian grain totals since the record-setting 2020-21 crop year,” the railroad noted. “In addition, February 2026 also set a February carload and monthly tonnage record for the most total grain moved in Canada and the United States on the CPKC network with 46,896 carloads and approximately 4.501 MMT transported last month, exceeding the prior monthly records from 2024.”

The volumes of Canadian grain and grain products moving on CPKC in multiple weeks exceeded the average supply chain capacity targets outlined in the railroad’s annual grain service plan (download below). “It is critical that all supply chain participants, including customer loading facilities and terminal operators loading grain into vessels at ports, operate at full capacity to sustain this strong momentum,” CPKC said.

Grain-2025-26_WEBDownload

Separately, CN recently reported that January 2026 was its “second-best” January on record for grain movement. It shipped more than 2.72 MMT of grain from Western Canada, down slightly from the 2.85 MMT “all-time record” set in January 2020. Despite extreme cold weather across its 20,000-mile rail network, CN said it “adjusted its operations to safely and efficiently move Canadian grain to market supporting farmers, along with supply chain and agriculture partners.” The railroad noted that it continues to execute its winter operations plan.

Further Reading:

• CPKC: ‘Exceptional Execution in Challenging Market’
• CTA Releases Annual Maximum Grain Revenue Entitlements for CN, CPKC (part of Class I Briefs)
• CN, CPKC: Ready for 2025-26 Grain Service
• CTA Sets CN, CPKC 2025-2026 VRCPIs

BNSF From left, Steve Mullen, Ricco Montini and Jason Stone of the Powder River Division. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of BNSF)

“Our teams work tirelessly to ensure the highest levels of safety so that they and their teammates go home in the same condition as when they came to work,” BNSF wrote recently in the RailTalk section of its website. “This teamwork resulted in 2025 being BNSF’s best-ever in safety in the 177-year history of our railroad.”

Team members on the Northwest Division pose with the Safety Bell Award in Vancouver, Wash. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of BNSF)

BNSF’s injury frequency rate (IFR) in 2025 “was about a 16% improvement from 2024,” according to the railroad reported, which also saw a 13% decrease in rail equipment incidents, “surpassing our target for 2025.”

“These levels of safety success deserve recognition, which is why we have a Safety Bell Award program,” BNSF said. “The Safety Bells are brass bells preserved from steam locomotives of yesteryear that remain a symbol of our industry. They are awarded annually to operations teams with the best safety performance.”

In 2025, seven BNSF teams earned Safety Bells for “outstanding safety performance”:

• Best Transportation Team – Powder River Division, Denver
• Best Engineering Team – Powder River Division, Denver
• Best Mechanical teams – Northwest Division, Vancouver, Washington; California Division, Barstow; Topeka, Kans., Diesel Shop; Lincoln, Neb., Diesel Shop; Twin Cities Division, Minneapolis, Minn. (Northtown).

Additionally, BNSF’s Powder River Division took home the bell for Best Overall Safety, which the railroad said “considers the safety success of all three crafts (Transportation, Engineering and Mechanical) in each division.”

Team members at the Topeka System Maintenance Terminal gather around their bell. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of BNSF) Team members at the Lincoln Diesel Shop. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of BNSF) Team members at the Barstow Mechanical facility. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of BNSF) Team members at the Northtown Mechanical facility. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of BNSF)

“I’m tremendously proud of these teams for their commitment to keeping each other safe day-in and day-out,” BNSF Vice President of Safety Chad Sundem said. “They are truly modeling the way in striving to achieve our vision of operating a railroad free of accidents and injuries.”

(Map Courtesy of BNSF)

According to BNSF, the Safety Bell trophies are held for the year by the Safety Bell honorees in “Stanley Cup-style,” and each team is recognized with their own nameplate affixed on the trophy base. All members of the teams are honored with a commemorative Safety Bell challenge coin, it noted.

Eight BNSF teams earned Safety Bells in 2024.

NS NS Senior Product Owner Katelyn Brammer and her father, former NS Product Manager Ken Brammer (Courtesy of NS)

NS Senior Product Owner Katelyn Brammer is a third‑generation railroader. Her maternal grandfather, Billy Coyne, worked in the traffic department at Norfolk & Western. “His experience in the Merchant Marines during World War II, where he helped move critical cargo in support of the war effort, shaped his appreciation for logistics and transportation and inspired him to pursue a career working in rail after returning home,” NS reported recently in the Story Yard section of its website.

Katelyn’s father is former NS Product Manager Ken Brammer.

After her family moved several times around the East Coast with her father’s career at NS, Katelyn and her family settled in Atlanta. “At a time when Katelyn was going through a career change and considering a new industry, she started thinking about joining the railroad herself and leaned heavily on her dad’s expertise,” according to the railroad.

“I talked to him a lot before I started,” Katelyn said. “I was nervous. I felt like I needed to really understand how the railroad works before I was ready to make that change.”

According to NS, those conversations helped as she stepped into her role at NS, first in HR scaling internal platforms and tools systems, then moving to support customers and their experience. “What she brought with her wasn’t just family history, but family habits,” NS said. “That mindset came from watching her dad navigate a career that involved constant movement, change, and flexibility.” Also key: hard work, staying organized, taking responsibility, and most of all, NS said, solving problems. “When something comes up in our family, we don’t just sit there,” Katelyn said. “We go into action. We figure it out.”

Katelyn carries that same approach into her work, according to NS. “Her role may look different from the ones her grandfather and father held, but the purpose feels familiar,” the railroad noted. “Show up. Support others. Keep things moving.”

Further Reading:

• NS Extends Georgia Tech Partnership (part of Class I Briefs)
• NS Expands Thoroughbred Trading Post Mobile App (part of Class I Briefs)

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