WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today announced it has determined that the proposed Dakota, Minnesota, & Eastern (DM&E) Powder River Basin project has met the requirements of the federal environmental review process, and outlined new measures the railroad must take to improve safety and air quality if the pending DM&E $2.3 billion Railroad […]

CHICAGO — Frequent users of Amtrak trains to and from Chicago can save money by buying tickets using special “Transit Checks” issued by their employers through the Chicago-based Regional Transportation Authority (RTA).
Effective today, Amtrak will accept the checks that list Amtrak among the area transportation providers.
Amtrak accepts RTA Transit Checks for the purchase of multi-ride […]

WASHINGTON — In response to a deadly derailment in November, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today issued a safety advisory to railroad industry owners and operators urging them to ensure specialized maintenance equipment is only operated by fully qualified individuals and is properly inspected.
“I cannot emphasize enough the responsibility and necessity of railroads and contractors […]

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking detailing proposed qualifications and standards for capital grants under the rail line relocation and improvement program created in the SAFETEA-LU legislation.
In order to be eligible for a grant, a project must mitigate the adverse effects of rail traffic on safety, motor vehicle […]

WASHINGTON — As a result of a fatal Dec. 14 rail yard switching accident in Manlius, N.Y., the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a Safety Advisory recommending that railroads assess their existing rules addressing safety at yard grade crossings.
The agency also urges railroads to review, or as necessary, amend their rules governing yard movements […]

WASHINGTON — In a move designed to aid in the development of new federal design standards for stronger and safer hazardous materials tank cars, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is joining forces with rail and chemical industry leaders to create the tank car of the future, FRA Administrator Joseph H. Boardman announced.
“Our goal is to […]

A special team of National Guardsmen is conducting an environmental survey at the site of a CSX train derailment in Brooks, Ky.
The derailment occurred south of Louisville, spilling a flammable liquid that ignited and caused a fire along the track and among the tanker cars, according to a report from the National Guard Bureau’s joint […]

BROOKS, Ky. — For the second time in two days, fire erupted after a CSX train derailment.
Cyclohexane, methyl ethyl ketone, butadiene and alcohol were released following the derailment of 12 cars, according to published reports. No one was injured in the derailment, but several people did go to area hospitals, though they were soon released.
A […]

WOBURN, Mass. – Following the Jan. 9 deaths of two workers on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the Teamsters voiced their disappointment to what they say is a poor safety record on the railroad.
“Per mile of railroad operated, MBCR has one of the worst roadway worker safety records of any railroad in the country,” said […]

Union Pacific Railroad has informed Amtrak the route used by the Missouri Mules passenger trains between St. Louis and Kansas City has reopened, following a weekend closure due to ice storms and resulting debris blocking the tracks.
Therefore, service by Train 313, the afternoon westbound train from St. Louis, and Train 316, the afternoon eastbound train […]