Amtrak

Former Amtrak Director of Network Planning and Engineering, Two Vendors Indicted for Extensive Bribery Scheme

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Richard Thompson, 57, of Falls Church, Virginia, Shaun Hanrahan, 66, of Hampton, Virginia, and Darren Hannam, 57, of Haymarket, Virginia, were charged by indictment with honest services fraud through bribery for engaging in schemes to pay off Thompson, in exchange for Thompson steering millions of dollars in Amtrak work to companies owned by Hanrahan, Hannam, and others.

NTSB Issues RIR 25-07 for CSX MoW Accident

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. – The NTSB issued Railroad Investigation Report 25-07 for an incident that occurred on February 13, 2024.

Does Your State Need Infrastructure Funds From The Federal Government? If So, USDOT Says You Must Scrap Your DEI Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced recently that states will no longer be eligible for federal infrastructure funds unless they follow the Trump administration’s directives regarding cooperation with immigration enforcement efforts and end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

FRA Issues Safety Advisory 2025-01 for Proper Configuration of Grand Master 4000 and 4000A Switch Machines

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Safety Advisory was issued to increase awareness of the potential for “unintended movement” of the machines. If improperly configured, the machines could allow for the presence of power that would lead to unintended switch movement.

$63.9MM Grant Rescinded From Texas High-Speed Rail Project

HOUSTON – The FRA pulls $63.9 million in federal funds from the proposed Texas High-Speed Rail project that sought to add a high-speed rail route from Houston to Dallas.

NTSB Issues Railroad Investigation Report 25-04

MCNEIL, Ark. – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued Railroad Investigation Report 25-04, detailing its investigation into the UP employee fatality that occurred on April 11, 2024.

$3.6M Awarded to 12 Rail Projects in Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. – $3.6 million in state grants was awarded to 12 rail projects in Kentucky improve safety, storage capacity, and maintenance.

‘This is Nuts! I Feel Like I Am in a Bad Movie’ – Guest Commentary

NEW YORK –– Guest post commentary by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief of Railway Age.

ICC Approves Annual Five-Year Crossing Safety Improvement Program

CHICAGO – The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approved its annual five-year Crossing Safety Improvement Program. The program (FY 2026-2030) seeks to implement safety upgrades at crossings across the state.

Rail Receives ‘B-‘ in ASCE’s 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure (UPDATED 3/27)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released its 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, with its highest-ever grade of ‘C’.

$2.1M Approved to Repair Industrial Park Rail System in Tennessee

UNICOI COUNTY, Tenn. – After sustaining damage due to Hurricane Helene last fall, $2.1 million has been awarded to restore access to the Riverview Industrial Park.

CSX Asks To Use Trip Optimizer Feature To Stop And Start A Train; Union Objects

JACKSONVILLE –– While locomotive and train operation matters are not within the usual purview of RT&S coverage, this story is the latest example of management and labor disagreement when it comes to the implementation of technology, which is an issue most railroaders must address at some point.

PUCO Approves Rail Crossing Upgrade in Hamilton County

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) approved safety upgrades at a rail crossing in Hamilton County.

Hitachi Energy Awarded ‘Truck Diversion’ Grant from Virginia DRPT — From Railway Age

SOUTH BOSTON, Va. –– Hitachi Energy will receive a $175,000 grant to support the rehabilitation of 1,000 feet of track at its South Boston facility in Halifax County, Va., through the Virginia Department of

Figure 1: The derailment site.

NTSB Determines Probable Cause for October 2023 BNSF Derailment

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released the final report for its investigation of the Oct. 15, 2023, accident involving a BNSF train that struck and partially collapsed a bridge that crosses over

Why I Remain Cautiously Optimistic –– Commentary By ASLRRA From Railway Age

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– ASLRRA PERSPECTIVE, RAILWAY AGE FEBRUARY 2025 ISSUE: A favorite phrase we use in Washington, D.C., is “cautiously optimistic.” Roughly translated, it means “I don’t really know how this is going to turn out, but I’m hoping for the best.”

PUCO Approves Upgrades in Butler and Cuyahoga Counties

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, or PUCO, approved safety upgrades at rail crossings in two Ohio counties.

Kansas Communities Receive More Than $4M for Railroad Crossing Infrastructure

TOPEKA, Kan. – More than $4 million was awarded to two communities in Kansas as part of the USDOT FRA’s Railroad Crossing Elimination program.

City of Lincoln and RTSD Receive $66.7MM Grant

LINCOLN, Neb. – The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration awarded a $66.7 million grant that will go toward improving two railroad crossings and intersections in Lincoln, Nebraska.

$25MM for Infrastructure Upgrades in Illinois

GALESBURG, Ill. – $25 million in federal funding was awarded for infrastructure upgrades in Galesburg.

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