Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 2

A view of railroad tracks in Helensville, New Zealand.

Attempted New Zealand Railway Copper Theft Lands Man in Court

August 18, 2026 Railfanning.org News Wire

A 54-year-old man has been arrested after attempting to steal copper cable from the rail corridor, damaging the safety signals system, New Zealand Police said.

Office of Rail and Road Gives Green Light for Virgin Trains International Services

August 17, 2026 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Office of Rail and Road, the rail regulator, has pre-approved a new framework track access agreement between HS1 Limited, trading as London St. Pancras High Speed, and Virgin Trains, officially VTE OPCO Limited.

Feds Announce $5.3 Billion for Safety Upgrades, New Amtrak Train Sets With Money Reclaimed from California

August 16, 2026 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Federal Railroad Administration is allocating $5.3 billion to rail projects across the U.S. that will enhance safety, upgrade critical infrastructure, and purchase new trainsets for Amtrak.

Amtrak Receives Federal Grants for New Midwest Maintenance Facility and Improvements to Viaducts

August 15, 2026 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded Amtrak two grants in support of the development of a new Midwest Maintenance Facility and to make vital bridge and viaduct repairs.

CN Continues to Advance Locomotive Innovations

August 15, 2026 Railfanning.org News Wire

CN announced what it said was an advancement in its hybrid locomotive development program, marking another important milestone in the company’s commitment to innovative, more efficient and more sustainable rail operations.

Feds Move to Codify English Proficiency Requirements for Truckers on U.S. Roads

August 14, 2026 Railfanning.org News Wire

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy last week announced that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is moving to codify guidelines enforcing English Language Proficiency requirements for commercial motor vehicle drivers as a new rule.

KC Streetcar Surpasses 20 Million Passenger Trips

August 13, 2026 Railfanning.org News Wire

KC Streetcar ridership continues to climb this summer as riders took more than 587,000 trips in July along the expanded 6.5-mile route.

More than $18 Million Secured for Forest Park Branch Track Design Work

August 13, 2026 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Chicago Transit Board authorized an intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation for the transfer of funding to support the design of future track work along a significant portion of the Blue Line’s Forest Park Branch.

BNSF Announces Faster, More Frequent Intermodal Service From Phoenix to DFW

August 13, 2026 Railfanning.org News Wire

BNSF Railway announced what it says is an expanded intermodal service offering between the Phoenix metropolitan area and the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

A NJ Transit train idles in Rahway, New Jersey.

Forbes Names NJ Transit to America’s Best-in-State Employers 2026 List

August 13, 2026 Railfanning.org News Wire

For the eighth straight year, Forbes has named NJ Transit to its renowned America’s Best-in-State Employers 2026 list.