From press releasesLAS VEGAS – Brightline West officially broke ground Monday on the first true high-speed rail system in the U.S. connecting Las Vegas and Southern California. The 218-mile system will be constructed in the middle of I-15 and is based on Brightline’s vision to ... The post Brightline West breaks ground on high-speed rail system between Las Vegas and Los Angeles appeared first on Cowcatcher Magazine ..read more

Chicago’s Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority last week approved a contract to buy zero-emission, battery-powered train sets. Metra will be among the first in the nation to operate this innovative technology. Metra’s Board of Directors approved the contract with Salt Lake City-based ... The post Metra is charging into a greener future with order for Stadler battery-powered trainsets appeared first on Cowcatcher Magazine ..read more

December brought needed relief to the U.S. railroad industry with the reopening of two key international border crossings and a surge in combined rail traffic to fuel a fourth-quarter rally with one week left in the year. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced just ... The post U.S. railroads get needed relief with reopening of key international crossings, boost in combined rail traffic appeared first on Cowcatcher Magazine ..read more

By TIM BLACKWELL/Cowcatcher Magazine The Surface Transportation Board has begun weighing comments from shippers and railroads regarding a proposed rule that would give rail customers access to reciprocal switching as a remedy for poor service. STB unanimously voted in September on The Notice of Proposed ... The post Surface Transportation Board takes next step toward adopting latest proposed reciprocal switching rule appeared first on Cowcatcher Magazine ..read more

Stadler presented its first hydrogen passenger train that will deliver to the San Bernardino County Transit Authority for the first time in the U.S. at APTA EXPO in Orlando earlier this month. The Swiss railcar maker followed by announcing an agreement for four hydrogen-powered trains, ... The post Stadler unveils first hydrogen passenger train bound for San Bernardino County Transit Authority at APTA EXPO appeared first on Cowcatcher Magazine ..read more

The Model Railroad Industry Division of the Hobby Manufacturers Association inducted its newest Hall of Fame member and recognized the 2023 Bobbye Hall Award winner in August at the NMRA National Train Show. Michael N. Dunham of Kadee Quality Products Co. is the 52nd member ... The post Model railroad industry recognizes inventor of Kadee’s ‘whisker’ centering systems, Amherst show director appeared first on Cowcatcher Magazine ..read more

With the help of Amtrak, Texas’ high-speed rail plan appears to be back on track. Texas Central Partners (“Texas Central”) and Amtrak said earlier this month that they are seeking opportunities to advance planning and analysis work associated with the proposed Dallas-to-Houston 205-mph high-speed rail ... The post Amtrak, Texas Central enter into agreement to study feasibility of Dallas-to-Houston high-speed rail line appeared first on Cowcatcher Magazine ..read more

From News Releases Four days since port workers went on strike in Western Canada, negotiations between the BC Maritime Employers Association and the International Longshore & Warehouse Union Canada have made little progress, as container traffic at two international trade gateways backs up. The strike of about 7,500 workers representing the ILWU is impacting the Port of Vancouver and the Port of Prince Rupert, where Class I railroads Canadian Pacific Kansas City and Canadian National move a significant number of intermodal containers. BNSF Railway serves the Port of Vancouver. ILWU and BCM ..read more

ScaleTrains announced last week that it acquired ExactRail, a manufacturer of HO- and N-scale freight cars and bridges. The addition nearly doubles ScaleTrains’ freight car offerings, the company said in a statement. ScaleTrains was to announce the first N-scale freight car later in June at the National N Scale Convention in Reno, NV, and follow with an HO car by the end of the month. Both models are already in production and will be available later this summer. Several more ExactRail models are in production, with additional deliveries arriving in early 2024, the company said. To help with th ..read more

Updated Feb. 10, 2023 CSX said on Friday that it has struck deals with two additional railroad unions to provide paid sick leave to its employees. The agreements were reached with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), which represents railroad machinists, and the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers (NCFO), which represents the company’s utility workers. CSX said about 500 workers in the unions will get four paid sick days and be able to convert three of their personal leave days into sick days.  Earlier this week CSX reached similar agreements with ..read more