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[ August 19, 2026 ] Amtrak: Amtrak Mardi Gras Service Travel Demand Remains Strong Amtrak
[ August 19, 2026 ] STB Sets Schedule for UP-NS Merger Review Norfolk Southern
[ August 19, 2026 ] Amtrak Completes First Phase of East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Project, Restores Train Service in Line 2 Amtrak
[ August 18, 2026 ] Attempted New Zealand Railway Copper Theft Lands Man in Court World
[ August 17, 2026 ] Office of Rail and Road Gives Green Light for Virgin Trains International Services World

Amtrak: Amtrak Mardi Gras Service Travel Demand Remains Strong

August 19, 2026 Railfanning.org News Wire

Desire for travel on Amtrak Mardi Gras Service trains remains strong across Coastal Mississippi between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, as the locally sponsored twice-daily service celebrates its first anniversary.

STB Sets Schedule for UP-NS Merger Review

August 19, 2026 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Surface Transportation Board has adopted a procedural schedule for the consideration of the revised major merger application filed by Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern.

Amtrak Completes First Phase of East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Project, Restores Train Service in Line 2

August 19, 2026 Railfanning.org News Wire

Amtrak officially reopened East River Tunnel Line 2 this week, completing the first major phase of the ERT Rehabilitation Project and providing key safety and reliability improvements for thousands of daily Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road, and NJ Transit customers.

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.

A MARTA bus operates in Atlanta, Georgia.

Georgia Supreme Court Leaves MARTA Passenger-Safety Ruling in Place

August 18, 2026 The Turntable

The Georgia Supreme Court on Aug. 18 declined to hear a case against MARTA, leaving in place a Court of Appeals ruling involving MARTA’s duty toward passengers aboard its buses.

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.

Two Seriously Injured After Southern Train Derails Near Lewes

August 17, 2026 The Turntable

Two people remained hospitalized with serious injuries after three carriages of a Southern passenger train derailed near Lewes station in England, prompting authorities to declare a major incident.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway to Welcome Visiting Steam Locomotives During September Steam Gala

August 16, 2026 The Turntable

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway will welcome three visiting steam locomotives for its four-day Annual Steam Gala from Sept. 24-27, including LNER A4 Pacific No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley and GWR Castle Class No. 4079 Pendennis Castle.

Steam to Return to Ohio Railway Museum After 50 years

August 16, 2026 The Turntable

Steam locomotives will return to operation at the Ohio Railway Museum for the first time in about 50 years during two special weekends beginning with National Train Day in May 2027.

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.