California – Railfanning.org

California High-Speed Rail Project Criticized Again After $3.5B Contract

June 5, 2026 The Center Square

After a $3.5 billion contract was awarded for track and electrical work on California’s high-speed rail, critics are calling the entire project problematic because of a lack of transparency.

U.S. Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer Joins Union Pacific’s 250th Celebration for Firsthand Look at Big Boy No. 4014

April 14, 2026 Business Wire

U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer climbed into the cab of Union Pacific’s famed Big Boy No. 4014 on April 11 as part of a tour led by CEO Jim Vena in Roseville, California. The visit occurred during the legendary locomotive’s first public display on its historic coast-to-coast tour in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.

Union Pacific’s Famed Big Boy Kicks Off America 250 Tour from Historic Transcontinental Site

April 11, 2026 Railfanning.org News Wire

Union Pacific’s legendary Big Boy No. 4014 steam locomotive embarked on its first coast-to-coast tour today in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary with a kickoff ceremony held at Milepost 0 in downtown Sacramento – the historic site where the Central Pacific Railroad began construction on the first transcontinental railroad line in 1863.

STB Grants BNSF Petition To Let UP Trackage Rights Expire

February 28, 2026 The Turntable

The Surface Transportation Board has granted BNSF Railway permission to let a set of restricted trackage rights on Union Pacific lines in Northern California expire at the end of 2026, avoiding the need for a separate discontinuance filing later.

California Gives Up on Suing Feds Over Canceled Rail ‘Boondoggle’ Funds

January 9, 2026 The Turntable

California has withdrawn its federal lawsuit challenging the loss of $4 billion in grant funding for the state’s high-speed rail project, but left the door open to revive the case.

Feds Cancel Funding for Additional California Rail Projects

August 27, 2025 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Federal Railroad Administration withdrew funding for four projects related to California’s High-Speed Rail project.

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner to Temporarily Suspend Train Service North of Goleta Station

July 25, 2025 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency announced that train service north of Goleta will be suspended from Aug. 1 through Aug. 16 due to the La Cañada Honda Bridge Replacement Project.

Washington Officials: Lessons to be Learned from California’s High-Speed Rail ‘disaster’

February 18, 2025 The Center Square

As California’s high speed rail project lays its first tracks after spending billions of dollars since 2006, Washington officials are already looking at lessons to be learned on how to avoid a similar outcome as they work on their own multi-state, multi-national bullet train.

BNSF: $3.8 Billion Capital Investment Plan for 2025

February 8, 2025 Railfanning.org News Wire

BNSF Railway recently announced a $3.8 billion capital investment plan for 2025, which company officials say demonstrates its dedication to operating a safe and reliable network while ensuring it is prepared to handle anticipated customer needs.

Report: California High Speed Rail Faces $6.5 Billion Funding Gap, New Delays

February 6, 2025 The Center Square

The California inspector general tasked with reviewing the state’s high speed rail program issued a new report stating the first segment is likely to be more than three years behind schedule and faces a $6.5 billion funding gap.