Prototype News

The “next generation” of Evolution Series units, Wabtec said, will improve fuel efficiency and operate for longer periods between maintenance overhauls. Their “production will involve multiple plants,” the company told Railway Age. “There will be kits coming from the U.S. and final assembly occurring at our LKZ [Lokomotiv Kurastyru Zauyty] plant in Astana,” Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan is the largest country in Central Asia and part of the “Middle Corridor,” also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, which connects Southeast Asia and China to Europe (see map below).

Railway Map of Kazakhstan
(Maximilian Dörrbecker (Chumwa) – Own work, using this file by NordNordWest as background Logo of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) Train logo / Wikimedia Commons)

“Over the past 20 years, GE Transportation, now Wabtec, has played a key role in the transformation of Kazakhstan’s rail industry,” according to a 2024 Wabtec report. “Between 2004 and 2007, more than 400 units of the existing diesel freight locomotive fleet were modernized, and since 2009, the transfer of advanced technology for the assembly of diesel freight, passenger and shunting locomotives has been under way. While we initially started services in Kazakhstan with a locomotive modernization program, we began to grow engineering capability to build new locomotives.

“Gaini Duisenova, Vice President, Field Services and Maintenance Management, a long-time employee who has seen the evolution of Wabtec in Kazakhstan, shares, ‘GE Transportation, which later merged with Wabtec, came to Kazakhstan when there were no international companies in heavy engineering. Our company opened a new page in Kazakhstan history with the production and servicing of Evolution diesel main line locomotives. I am glad to be part of that change.’”

Kasachstan Temir Scholy class TE33A developed by GE Transportation (now Wabtec) between Aynabulak and Kopr, Kazakhstan. (Kabelleger / David Gubler, Wikimedia Commons)

“With a vision to become a manufacturing and technology center, construction of the LKZ factory in Astana began in 2007,” Wabtec continued in its report. “LKZ was originally built in partnership with Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), the country’s state-run railroad. The plant meets all global quality standards, such as ISO 9001-2001, and employs about 700 people, most of whom were trained at production sites in the United States. Wabtec acquired full ownership of the LKZ factory in December 2023. With the full manufacturing might of LKZ added to the Wabtec footprint, the ambition to drive exports for the region has grown stronger.”

Gokhan noted in the report that “Since the LKZ factory manufactures locomotives for 1,520 [mm broad]-gauge operation, which is standard in Central Asia, we have exported to all countries in the region including Tajikistan, Mongolia, Moldova, Ukraine, etc. Now that LKZ is 100% owned by Wabtec, plans are on to expand the range of operations beyond the region as a supplier of components, systems and subsystems for our global operations.”

In November 2023, Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister awarded Wabtec for its continuous investments in the technology and people of the region. (Photograph and Caption Courtesy of Wabtec)

According to Wabtec, the company also has eight service shops in Kazakhstan providing scheduled and unscheduled maintenance of locomotives in the KTZ fleet, as well as an engine overhaul facility, Astana Diesel Service. Wabtec said ADS is “the only facility outside the United States with state-of-the-art technology to remanufacture and overhaul not only our GEVO12 diesel engines but also other locomotive components.” Additionally, the company has a Technology and Engineering Center in Astana, based out of the LKZ plant. It opened last summer.

Wabtec in September 2023 signed a framework agreement with KTZ and the President of Kazakhstan to not only “extend and advance” the production of Evolution Series locomotives, but also “help address the increased demand for freight haulage in Kazakhstan and the central corridor.”

The 300 newly ordered locomotives “will enhance KTZ’s ongoing rail expansion and fleet renewal and are designed to operate in the demanding weather conditions and mountainous terrain of Kazakhstan,” Wabtec said in its Sept. 22 announcement. “The order also includes maintenance services agreements to support the new locomotives and KTZ’s existing railroad fleet. The services are tailored to help maximize reliability and availability of KTZ’s fleet at optimal operating costs.”

Left to right: Rafael Santana (President & CEO of Wabtec), Howard Lutnick (United States Secretary of Commerce), Kassym-Jomart K. Tokayev (President of the Republic of Kazakhstan), Talgat Aldybergenov (CEO of National Railway Company of KTZ). (Photograph Courtesy of Wabtec)

“For over two decades, our partnership with KTZ has been critical in transforming Kazakhstan’s rail industry,” said Rafael Santana, President and CEO of Wabtec. “This historic agreement embodies KTZ’s visionary approach for the country’s rail network as the primary link between Europe and Asia. By delivering advanced locomotives and long-term service solutions, Wabtec is a proud partner in Kazakhstan’s progress, helping to unlock the region’s enormous potential and developing the engineering competencies in the country’s railway industry.”

“Kazakhstan plays a key role in realizing the transit potential of the Eurasian continent,” KTZ CEO Talgat Aldybergenov said. “This new agreement confirms our commitment to advanced technologies in the transport sector and will also make a significant contribution to the development of industry and railway engineering in Kazakhstan.”

In other news, July marked the 10th anniversary of Wabtec’s Evolution Series Tier 4, described as “one of the most modern diesel locomotives serving North America and the first freight locomotive to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Tier 4 emission standards.”

Further Reading from IRJ, Railway Age’s sister publication:

• Kazakhstan accelerates infrastructure work
• Kazakhstan secures infrastructure loan
• China develops Trans-Caspian freight route
• Kazakhstan’s first Chinese shunting locomotives ready for service
• Kazakhstan wants to liberalise freight operations
• Six nations to develop China – Europe container traffic
• Alstom deepens partnership with Kazakhstan

The post Wabtec Lands $4.2B Kazakhstan Locomotive Contract appeared first on Railway Age.

They are as follows:

• “Lake Providence Port Commission—Feeder Line Application—Line of Delta Southern Railroad Located in East Carroll & Madison Parishes, La. (FD 36447). This long-standing proceeding involves efforts by LPPC, a noncarrier political subdivision of the State of Louisiana, to acquire portions of the McGehee-Tallulah rail corridor owned by Delta Southern Railroad, Inc. (DSR), a Class III rail carrier, through a Board-ordered sale. The proceeding was placed in abeyance in August 2024, pending resolution of certain issues raised in related state court actions. Chairman Fuchs has offered a draft action for consideration by the full Board and expects the Board to issue a decision in September 2025.
• “City of Philadelphia—Petition for Declaratory Order (FD 36768). In April 2024, the City of Philadelphia petitioned to Board for a declaratory order addressing the agency’s jurisdiction over certain property underlying a portion of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company’s former Ninth Street Branch. Chairman Fuchs has offered a draft action for consideration by the full Board and expects the Board to issue a decision in September 2025.
• “Mendocino Railway—Petition for Declaratory Order (FD 36868). In July 2025, Mendocino Railway petitioned the Board to issue a declaratory order confirming that Mendocino Railway is a Class III common carrier subject to the Board’s jurisdiction, entitled to the protections of any applicable federal preemption that comes with that status. Chairman Fuchs has offered a draft action for consideration by the full Board and expects the Board to issue a decision in September 2025.
• “Improving STB Environmental Regulations. Consistent with Executive Order 14154, Unleashing American Energy, issued January 20, 2025, and related guidance from the Council on Environmental Quality, Chairman Fuchs has offered a course of action for consideration by the full Board and expects the Board to issue a decision no later than October 2025.
• “Reporting Requirements for Positive Train Control Expenses & Investments (EP 706). In August 2024, the Association of American Railroads petitioned the Board to reopen and terminate certain 2013 railroad reporting requirements on capital and operating expenditures for Positive Train Control (PTC). Current PTC reporting requires carriers to break out expenditures to reflect PTC implementation, which is now complete. Chairman Fuchs has offered a course of action for consideration by the full Board and expects the Board to issue a decision in September 2025.
• “Consolidated Rail Corp.—Abandonment Exemption—in Hudson County, N.J. (AB 167 (Sub-No. 1189X)). This longstanding proceeding involves a request from Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) for authority to abandon an approximately 1.36-mile portion of a line of railroad, known as the Harsimus Branch, located in the City of Jersey City, N.J. In May 2025, the Board, through the Acting Director of the Office of Proceedings, rejected the City of Jersey City’s Offer of Financial Assistance to purchase certain of Conrail’s interests in the Harsimus Branch, which has been appealed to the full Board. Chairman Fuchs intends to offer a course of action for consideration by the full Board in October 2025.
• “The Great Walton Railroad Company—Petition for Declaratory Order (AB 1242 (Sub-No. 1)). This longstanding proceeding involves a request for the Board to issue a declaratory order clarifying that a portion of the Great Walton Railroad Company’s runaround track in Hart County, Georgia is a line of railroad subject to the agency’s exclusive jurisdiction. Chairman Fuchs intends to offer a course of action for consideration by the full Board in October 2025.
• “Fortress Investment Group LLC et al.—Control Exemption—Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway (FD 36878). In August 2025, Fortress Investment Group submitted a petition for exemption from the formal requirements of 49 U.S.C. § 11323 for the acquisition of control of The Wheeling Corporation and its wholly owned railroad subsidiaries. Chairman Fuchs expects the Board to issue a decision no later than November 2025.”

The update, STB says, “continues the agency’s efforts to promote transparency and accountability.” The last update was provided on May 5, 2025.

The post Fuchs Provides Update on Outstanding STB Proceedings appeared first on Railway Age.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Bureau of Statistics (BTS) recently released its Progress Towards Safer Rail Tank Cars Transporting Flammable Liquids: 2025 Report, highlighting the progress in upgrading the rail tank car fleet to the DOT-117 standard, which meets new safety requirements, and summarizes the type of rail tank cars carrying Class 3 flammable liquids.

There is a rolling phase-out schedule of tank cars based on both tank car type and flammable liquids carried. According to the report (download below), there were no phaseout deadlines during 2024, and all tank cars were in compliance with the 2015 Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. The next major deadline was May 1, 2025, when jacketed CPC-1232 tank cars were prohibited from carrying ethanol and crude oil and all DOT-111 and CPC-1232 tank cars were prohibited from carrying other flammable liquids in packing group I. Compliance with 2025 phaseouts will be evaluated in the 2026 report.

In 2024, 101,116 rail tank cars were used to carry Class 3 flammable liquids, a 0.2% increase from 2023, the BTS reported. In 2016, only 8% of the fleet that carries crude oil and other Class 3 flammable liquids consisted of DOT-117s (new or retrofitted), compared to 73% in 2024. For crude oil alone, 98.7% of the tank car fleet consisted of DOT-117s, up from 96% in 2023.

Based on a survey of facilities capable of building and/or retrofitting DOT-117 and DOT-117R, respectively, 3,546 new DOT-117 tank cars are projected to be built 2025 and 890 DOT-117R tank cars are projected to be retrofitted, for a total of 4,436 additional DOT-117/DOT-117R tanks projected in 2025, according to the report.

The annual BTS report is required under FAST Act, Section 7308. Additionally, Section 7308(c) requires BTS to estimate the anticipated number of DOT-117 tank cars for each year from 2018 through 2029 by collecting data from tank car shops that build or retrofit tank cars. “It is expected that, by the end of 2029, all Class 3 flammable liquids will be carried in rail tank cars that meet or exceed DOT-117 specifications,” according to the BTS report.

dot_86425_DS1Download

The post New BTS Report Highlights Progress in Converting Tank Cars to Safer Standards appeared first on Railway Age.

Union Pacific and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers–Transportation Division on Sept. 22 announced an agreement they said “guarantees that SMART-TD members working in train and yardmaster service will have job protection for the length of their careers following the [UP-Norfolk Southern merger] transaction, subject to the usual requirements for continued employment.” UP and NS, which together would create a U.S. transcontinental railroad, notified the Surface Transportation Board late last month of their intent to file an application seeking merger approval on or before Jan. 29, 2026. It is expected that the application will be filed by Oct. 29.

UP “has committed that these [SMART-TD] employees will not face involuntary furloughs as a result of the merger,” in addition to “lifetime job protection” and “preferential hiring for affected terminal employees,” according to the railroad and the nation’s largest rail union. They reported that SMART-TD “is proud to announce its support” of the UP-NS merger. That support, they added, “will be reflected before the Surface Transportation Board in Docket No. 36873, where the union will stand behind the agreement as a model of protecting workers while advancing the industry.”

“This is a proud day [Sept. 22] for our members,” said Jeremy R. Ferguson, President of SMART-TD, which opposed the merger prior to what the railroad and union call a “groundbreaking” agreement. “For generations, railroaders have worried about what mergers might mean for their jobs and whether or not they would be given the opportunity to reach retirement on the rail. Today, we can say with confidence that the biggest railroad and the biggest rail union in America are breaking new ground. We are protecting jobs, protecting families, and protecting the future of the U.S. supply chain. I want to thank [UP CEO] Jim Vena, [NS CEO] Mark George and their teams for thinking outside the box and putting their employees at ease in unprecedented times. This is a bold agreement, and I’m proud of the mutually beneficial work done here and what Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, and SMART-TD were able to accomplish.”

“I want to thank SMART-TD for its leadership,” Jim Vena said. “When we announced our intent to create the first transcontinental railroad in America [sic*], I made a promise to protect the jobs of all unionized employees. Those who have a job when the merger is approved will continue to have one. I am confident we will unlock new sources of growth for the country and our industry, taking more trucks off taxpayer-funded highways, serving new markets, and keeping more railroad jobs in America.”

“This merger will create opportunities for growth—not just for our business, but for our people,” Mark George said. “That’s why, from the outset, we made clear that every union employee at the combined company would have a job. Today’s [Sept. 22] commitment with SMART-TD takes that promise a step further and reflects our deep appreciation for and confidence in the people who keep our railroads moving every day.”

(Photograph Courtesy of UP and NS)

According to a Sept. 22 Associated Press report, “Tony Cardwell, president of the BMWED [Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division–International Brotherhood of Teamsters], said his union rejected similar offer from Union Pacific a couple weeks ago because the railroad wouldn’t agree to protect workers if it decides to lease more of its tracks to short-line railroads to handle the final deliveries as it has already done in a couple locations. He said what good is a promise of a job if it means either taking a pay cut to go to work for a smaller railroad or moving across the country to keep a job with Union Pacific. Cardwell said that until workers in those situations are protected ‘We’re not going to support it [the proposed UP-NS merger]. In fact, we’ll vehemently deny it. And we feel like we have a close enough relationship right now with the White House that we can have an impact on this.’”

Following the proposed merger announcement on July 29, the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) reported “strongly” opposing it, and urged “federal regulators, lawmakers, shippers, and unions to block the deal.” The TWU currently represents NS workers in Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore, along with Toledo, Ohio; Elkhart, Ind.; Harrisburg, Pa.; and other locations. 

Noted TWU International President John Samuelsen at that time: “Union Pacific has a shameful safety record.” Added TWU Rail Division Director John Feltz: “Union Pacific cut railroad jobs even as other freight railroads ramped up hiring after the pandemic. They are not to be trusted by railroad workers nationwide and the TWU will fight any attempt to ram through a merger that Wall Street might like but is bad for railroad workers and the safety of everyone. This is going to be a long, drawn-out process where many groups will have a say.” 

* Should be “U.S. transcontinental railroad.”

Further Reading:

• Mr. Vena Goes to Washington
• Kloster, Schultz Chosen for STB by POTUS 47
• Merger Dialogue: Shades of ‘Pride and Prejudice’
• Deal Vs. No Deal
• Mixed Views on Mergers
• NEARS: Consolidation, Weak Economic Backdrop Highlighted
• Transcon Merger Discussion with a Former Class I CEO
• UP+NS: An ‘Absolute Monster of a Railroad’
• UP + NS: What Comes Next?
• Union Pacific + Norfolk Southern: It’s Official

The post SMART-TD Supports Proposed UP-NS Merger appeared first on Railway Age.

The parent company of Rocky Mountaineer has purchased the historic Lake Louise, Alberta, depot. Last month, Armstrong Collective announced it acquired the 1910 station that houses a restaurant and serves as a boarding location for its First Passage to the West excursion. 

The station was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway and served as one of its gateways to Banff National Park and the railroad’s hotels, including the nearby Chateau Lake Louise. 

“Rocky Mountaineer’s guests have been enjoying the incomparable scenery of Lake Louise for 35 years, and we are proud to continue our investment in the region with the purchase of the Lake Louise Railway Station and Restaurant,” said Tristan Armstrong, CEO, Armstrong Collective. “This acquisition ensures the long-term stability of an iconic community business, as well as for our Rocky Mountaineer train operations in the area. We look forward to working alongside the existing Lake Louise Railway Station and Restaurant team to continue providing incredible experiences for visitors and local residents.”

The company stated that the station restaurant would continue to be operated by its current management for the rest of the season. 

—Railfan & Railroad Staff

The post Rocky Mountaineer Buys Lake Louise Depot appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

Duos

Doug Recker has been named a Corporate Officer and President of Duos reporting to Chuck Ferry, CEO. A seasoned telecommunications and data center executive with more than 30 years of experience, Recker has been “a driving force behind Duos’ expansion into the Edge Data Center (EDC) and colocation markets through the company’s Duos Edge AI subsidiary,” the company reported Sept. 15.

In his new role, Recker will assume broader leadership responsibilities across the organization, leveraging his expertise to advance Duos’ strategy in Edge AI, and digital infrastructure solutions, according to the company. In addition to working with the leadership team to expand Duos’ footprint across the digital infrastructure ecosystem, Recker will continue to oversee the design implementation and deployment of Duos Edge Data Centers, “which will facilitate more robust connectivity and compute capabilities to underserved communities as well as help broaden reach for schools, hospitals, local governments, local fiber carriers, and first responder networks,” Duos said.

Further Reading:

• Next-Level Safety and Efficiency
• Duos Secures 11th Railcar Tech Patent
• Duos, CN Ink Five-Year Strategic Agreement

MARTA

MARTA has announced a restructuring of its leadership team “with a renewed focus on operational safety, reliability and project delivery.”

“The way to rebuild public trust in MARTA is by delivering routine excellence every day,” MARTA Interim General Manager and CEO Jonathan Hunt said on Sept. 12. “I believe these organizational changes will strengthen accountability, create space for innovation, and enhance service delivery.”

MARTA Chief Customer Experience Officer Rhonda Allen has been appointed Deputy General Manager, and will oversee several critical departments including the Divisions of Customer Experience and Technology, Operations and Urban Planning, Capital Programs, Engineering and Infrastructure, and Administrative Services, as well as the Department of Police Services and Emergency Management.

Larry Prescott, MARTA’s Assistant General Manager of Infrastructure, will serve as Interim Chief Capital Officer. While Prescott has been involved with the planning and development of MARTA’s capital projects, MARTA said it will launch a national search to identify a permanent leader to take on this role.

MARTA’s Chief of Operational and Urban Planning, Paul Lopes, will expand his responsibilities to include oversight of all transit operations including Bus, Rail, Mobility (paratransit), and the Streetcar.

TriMet

TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. has selected two women who spent decades growing and learning with TriMet for new roles with the agency. He named Inessa M. Vitko as Chief Operations Officer and elevated Mary L. Hill to Executive Director of Transportation.

“The promotions come at a time of historic change at TriMet,” the agency reported Sept. 16. “They are part of an agency-wide focus to improve fiscal efficiency and stewardship. Over the summer, TriMet announced a large-scale effort to reduce costs amid a significant and growing budget gap and impending fiscal cliff. Changes to the agency’s executive leadership team are among the many steps TriMet is taking to achieve a balanced budget by July 2028.”

“As we work toward this goal, I felt it was important to begin with adjustments at the highest level of management,” Desue said. “As I’ve also committed to you, we are doing this all with care, compassion and transparency. I am honoring that commitment.”

Vitko joined TriMet in 2006 as a training services administrator, and Hill began her agency career in 2003 as a bus operator. Coincidentally, both left TriMet to gain additional experience at C-TRAN, before returning in the 2020s for more challenging roles.

“Moving into this new role nearly 20 years after I started my career at TriMet is an incredible privilege, and to be honest, it’s a little surreal,” Vitko said. “I am excited and thankful to continue to be part of an invested and dedicated leadership team, and look forward to TriMet’s future as we navigate our path ahead.”  

Formerly TriMet’s Senior Director of Operations Command Center and Rail Operations, Hill joins TriMet’s executive leadership team in her new role, assuming the position previously held by Vitko. 

“I’m honored to continue my journey with TriMet in this new role, building on the lessons I’ve learned from the front lines as a bus operator to our leadership team,” Hill said. “This promotion reflects the incredible opportunities TriMet provides for growth and the importance of supporting women and people of color in leadership.”

Vitko holds a Master of Public Administration and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and statistics from Portland State University. Hill holds a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in business management, both from Western Governors University. 

As part of the reorganization at TriMet, Desue eliminated the agency’s Chief Operating Officer role, which has been vacant since May. Vitko’s position as Chief Operations Officer is different, with a revised scope and narrower focus on day-to-day operations, according to TriMet.

“TriMet is conducting a full-scale operational assessment to identify additional opportunities for streamlining and reducing costs, as the agency works to close our budget gap,” the agency reported. “Some of the earliest efforts focus on changes at the top of the organization. For example, the Executive Director position for the agency’s Transit Systems Asset and Support Division, open since May, has been eliminated, as the agency considers the division’s future. Staffing changes and internal savings alone, however, will not be enough. TriMet will also begin reducing service this fall, as we look for new avenues to increase revenues.”

The post People News: Duos, MARTA, TriMet appeared first on Railway Age.

Amtrak / USRC

The U.S. Department of Transportation on Sept. 18 reported that Amtrak and the USRC Boards of Directors unanimously agreed to approve the terms of a renegotiated cooperative agreement restoring federal control of the facility. The new agreement among USRC, Amtrak, and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) “will fast track restoration efforts, improve security, and attract new economic development,” according to the government.

It said the terms of the cooperative agreement “will enable the management changes necessary to:

• “Address state-of-good-repair projects, 
• “Increase revenue through first-class retail, office, and event space, 
• “Improve security, 
• “Enhance multi-modal transportation uses, 
• “Set the stage for increased private investment, 
• “Create a family-friendly environment,
• “And provide a gateway to the nation’s capital worthy of this great country.”

USDOT said that under its leadership, Amtrak and USRC will “collaborate to move toward a new formal governance structure.”

As the owner of Washington Union Station, USDOT said it will:

• “Bring a ‘one building’ approach to station management,
• “Demand improved security, 
• “Focus short-term work on addressing a backlog of capital projects, and 
• “Promote a long-term vision of Union Station that leverages private investment and expertise and minimizes costs to the federal government.”

Under USDOT’s direction, USRC will:

• “Operate the retail, office, and event space, along with parking, to maximize revenue for reinvestment,
• “Provide Amtrak with new passenger areas as part of a world-class rail travel experience, complemented by the new Acela trainsets,   
• “Provide enhanced security to establish a family-friendly station, in cooperation with federal law enforcement agencies and Amtrak,
• “Restore the station to a state of good repair, and
• “Position this unique asset for a more reasonable expansion plan that can draw private investment and limit taxpayer risk.”

Amtrak will:

• “Return its D.C. offices to Washington Union Station, through a lease with USRC that allows Amtrak’s taxpayer-funded office expenses to be reinvested in a federal asset rather than being spent on private realty,
• “Continue to provide a police presence, in coordination with USRC and Federal agencies,
• “Leverage new space to create modern and attractive waiting areas, and
• “Refocus on its operations in a ‘back to basics’ approach to railroading, featuring its state-of-the-art Acela II trainsets.”

“This revitalization will not only beautify and secure the station but also provide additional space to Amtrak that improves the passenger experience,” FRA Acting Administrator Drew Feeley said. “Reasserting control of the facility will free up Amtrak to focus on its core mission of providing rail transportation.”

“In partnership with DOT and USRC, we’re committed to delivering a safer, cleaner, and more seamless travel experience for every passenger,” said Roger Harris, President of Amtrak. “We’ve already made significant strides—welcoming over a dozen new retailers, bolstering Amtrak Police presence, rolling out station refresh and deep-clean initiatives, and streamlining operations—and this new agreement accelerates that momentum.”

“We appreciate this strategic decision from the Department of Transportation to designate Union Station Redevelopment Corporation with direct oversight of the station,” said Doug Carr, USRC CEO. “USRC is well prepared to deliver benefits for the station, our passengers, the public, and our partners. We look forward to ongoing collaboration with the FRA and Amtrak to identify and implement capital improvements related to the station, including its retail operations, as we continue to enhance the Union Station experience for all users.”

Further Reading:

• Report: Amtrak to Control Washington Union Station Leasehold
• “Amtrak as Bully”
• “Amtrak Bullying Now Targets SEPTA”

Transit Tech Lab (Courtesy of Transit Tech Lab)

The Transit Tech Lab—a public-private initiative created by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Partnership Fund for New York City to facilitate advancements through technology in public transportation—has published a report on its 2025 proof-of-concept phase results.

Over the course of this eight-week phase that began in May 2025, 12 companies worked with the MTA, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the NYC Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) to test their technology for improving the ridership experience, and optimizing inspection and maintenance processes.

The two challenge areas—Ridership Improvement and Inspection & Maintenance—were announced in January and generated 112 applications from around the world.

The Ridership Improvement Challenge sought technology that would help agencies accurately measure, capture and improve paid ridership and travel demand data to optimize transit schedules and communicate effectively.

Finalists include Jawnt, Libelium Comunicaciones, and Matawan. The companies worked with agency partners to:

• “Redesign paper-based workflows to accelerate contactless fare payment adoption.
• “Use real-time sensors to monitor crowding and inform train schedules
• “Integrate large-scale fare data to optimize transit planning.”

The Inspection and Maintenance Challenge sought technology that would help agencies digitize manual inspections and optimize maintenance processes.

Finalists include Censys Technologies, FlipAI, Kinexio, Previsico, Routora, SafetyCulture, SahayAI, Tomorrow.io, and TwinKnowledge. The companies worked with agency partners to:

• “Utilize AI-powered tools to accelerate inspections, data analysis, and document review.
• “Digitize user-friendly workflows that reduce manual labor, drive time for [what], and administrative overhead.
• “Produce predictive systems that improve weather forecasting and operations response.”

This is the seventh annual program of the Transit Tech Lab. Previous challenges focused on improving subway signaling, transit accessibility, resiliency, and customer experience. Since the program’s inception in 2018, more than 1,000 companies have applied to participate in the program, 81 companies have tested their technologies, and 29 solutions have commercially scaled or informed commercial procurements.

Join Stacey Matlen, Senior Vice President of Innovation for The Partnership for New York City, at the Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail Conference, to be held Oct. 15-16, 2025. She will discuss the latest technologies stemming from the Transit Tech Lab challenges.

Further Reading:

• NYC Transit Tech Lab Announces 2025 Project Partners
• TTL Selects 13 Companies to Continue Partnering With Transit Agencies

CTA (CTA Photograph, Courtesy of USDOT)

CTA on Sept. 15 officially launched a pilot featuring new vending machines that dispense free naloxone at five rail stations. The move follows a June partnership agreement with Cook County Health (CCH).

According to the transit authority, these stations were chosen based on community input and data that “zeroed in on areas with higher opioid-related emergencies”:

1. 47th Street (Red Line)
2. Wilson (Red/Purple Line)
3. Jefferson Park (Blue Line)
4. Harlem/Lake (Green Line)
5. Central Park (Pink Line)

CCH has invested $100,000 to cover the costs of procurement, installation, and maintenance of the machines as part of the six-month pilot, with the option to expand based on community impact, according to CTA. This investment is supported by funds from the U.S. Department of Treasury, under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocated to CCH by Cook County Government.

“Naloxone, an FDA-approved nasal spray, can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose,” CTA said. “Public health leaders emphasized at today’s event that the medication is safe, easy to use, and empowers anyone to act in an emergency.”

“By placing naloxone vending machines at five key CTA stations, we are meeting people where they are and breaking down barriers to provide lifesaving tools within reach,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said.  “Public transit hubs are vital arteries of our city and county, and making this life-saving medication available in these locations removes a significant barrier to access. This initiative is about harm reduction and saving lives.”  

“Our partnership with Cook County Health is a powerful and innovative way for public transit to support the communities we serve,” CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen said. “CTA rail stations are often hubs in Chicago communities, and we believe that these vending machines have the potential to help save lives and support the health and well-being of those in need of Naloxone.”

CTA said this effort builds upon its existing efforts to aid those suffering from substance abuse on the system, which include dedicated social service outreach teams deployed on the system each night to offer assistance and resources. CTA said its other “harm-reduction” initiatives include a pilot with the Chicago Department of Public Health to offer a public health machine that dispenses “free health and hygiene products, as well as other harm-reduction supplies” at the 95th/Dan Ryan terminal. This program launched in 2023 and will soon expand to include three additional locations, according to the transit authority.

Further Reading:

• Report: RTA Redirects Funds From Metra, Pace to Prevent CTA Service Reductions
• CTA Launches Innovation Studio Challenges

NJT

NJT’s “FARE-PAY” card is now available to riders of the Newark Light Rail, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and River LINE systems, as well as buses statewide. The reusable cards are said to allow riders to purchase and store monthly passes, 10-trip bus tickets or cash value for a “tap-and-go” experience. 

The FARE-PAY card was piloted on a limited scale in April at four bus park & rides—Willowbrook Mall (Wayne), Mothers (Wayne), Wayne Transit Center (Wayne), and Allwood Road (Clifton)—and on the Newark Light Rail system.

Since Sept. 19, riders have been able to purchase fare cards loaded with bus or light rail monthly passes at ticket vending machines (TVMs) or at the following Bus ticket offices: Port Authority Bus Terminal, Old Bridge, Lakewood, Atlantic City Bus Terminal, Wildwood, and Walter Rand Transportation Center. Beginning Oct. 1, they will be able to purchase new fare cards loaded with 10-trip bus tickets. Riders can tap their “FARE-PAY” cards at the onboard validator while boarding their bus or at platform validating stations on the light rail systems. Select retail outlets will also carry the FARE-PAY card so riders can purchase the card and add cash value.

According to NJT, riders can register their card to protect their stored fare from loss, manage their accounts online, view fare-card activity and current value, auto-reload, and perform other options. A credit/debit card is not required. Riders who use the mobile app to purchase tickets and passes may continue to do so, NJT said. Purchasing a FARE-PAY card is optional. The FARE-PAY cards are not yet available for use on NJT’s commuter rail system.

“With the expansion of FARE-PAY, we’re making it easier for customers to purchase tickets and passes with greater flexibility,” NJT President and CEO Kris Kolluri said. “It’s part of our ongoing commitment to modernize and enhance the everyday experience for those who rely on NJ Transit.”

Further Reading:

• NJT Exercises MLIII, ALP45-DP Alstom Options
• NJT Brings River LINE Operation, Maintenance In-House
• NJT Releases RFQ for Northern Rail MOW Facility
• NJT Sets FY26 Ops Budget, Authorizes Capex Funding

Sound Transit (Courtesy of Sound Transit)

Sounder commuter rail service began 25 years ago with four stations: Seattle’s King Street Station, Auburn, Sumner (with only half its platform ready), and a temporary Tacoma stop near the old Amtrak station on Puyallup Avenue.

(Courtesy of Sound Transit)

Fast forward to 2025 and Sounder now serves 12 stations across the N Line and S Line, connecting thousands of riders each weekday (see map, right). To celebrate the 25th anniversary, Sound Transit rounded up 25 fun facts you may not know about Sounder:

1. Opening Day

Sounder’s first official day of service was Sept. 18, 2000, with King Street, Auburn, Sumner, and Tacoma stations in operation.

2. First Trips = Only Two

For the first two years, Sounder ran just two round trips per weekday.

3. Mariners Came First

Sounder actually ran trains before daily service began — carrying fans to Mariners games in April 2000.

4. Tiny Sumner Platform

On opening day, Sumner’s station had only 300 feet of platform and limited parking.

5. Temporary Tacoma

The original Tacoma stop wasn’t at Freighthouse Square—it was a temporary platform off Puyallup Avenue near the BNSF tracks.

6. First Year Boardings

Sounder carried 25,742 passenger boardings in its first full year.

7. N Line Debut

The N Line launched on December 21, 2003, with a special Seahawks game train. Regular commuter service on the N Line began December 22, 2003.

(Courtesy of Sound Transit) 8. Mukilteo Joins Later

Mukilteo Station opened on May 31, 2008, adding a third stop to the N Line. A second platform and pedestrian bridge at Mukilteo opened on April 11, 2016.

9. Lakewood-to-Tacoma

Service expanded south in October 2012, connecting Lakewood to Tacoma Dome Station.

10. Today’s Network

Sounder now covers 82.9 miles of track — 48.7 miles on the S Line and 34.2 miles on the N Line.

11. 1 Million Riders

Sounder reached its 1 millionth rider in 2004, just four years after opening.

12. King Street Rules

The busiest weekday boarding station is Seattle’s King Street Station, followed by Kent and Puyallup.

(Courtesy of Sound Transit) 13. Maximum Speed

Sounder trains can reach 79 miles per hour.

14. Heavy Hardware

A full 7-car trainset with locomotive weighs about 600 tons. Each locomotive weighs about 285,000 pounds, while each passenger car weighs around 120,000 pounds.

15. Push-Pull Power

Sounder trains don’t “turn around” in Tacoma—they’re push-pull trains with a locomotive on one end and a cab car on the other.

16. Two Crew Members

Just two people—an engineer and a conductor—operate each train.

17. Scenic Views

On the N Line, riders get stunning views of Puget Sound, often with eagles, ospreys, or seals spotted along the way. On clear days, S Line riders enjoy postcard views of Mount Rainier.

(Courtesy of Sound Transit) 18. Point Defiance Bypass

In 2017, S Line service shifted to the Point Defiance Bypass, making trips into Tacoma faster and more direct.

19. Bi-Level Cars

Sounder uses double-deck passenger cars, giving upstairs riders the best seats in the house.

20. Long Platforms

Tacoma Dome Station features one of the longest platforms in the system.

21. Game Day Tradition

Sounder has carried tens of thousands of fans to Seahawks, Sounders FC, and Mariners games.

(Courtesy of Sound Transit) 22. Line Names

In 2020, Sounder officially became the N Line and S Line, joining Sound Transit’s systemwide naming convention.

23. APTA 2001

Sound Transit hosted the APTA Commuter Rail Conference in Seattle from March 31 to April 4, 2001.

24. Future at 50

Sound Transit is planning for longer trains, more trips, and expanded stations — setting Sounder up for another 25 years of growth.

25. ST Shop

Sound Transit has launched a limited-edition Sounder 25 collection at the Sound Transit Shop.

“Whether you’ve been riding since that tiny Sumner platform or just hopped aboard recently, thank you for being part of Sounder’s first 25 years,” Sound Transit said. “Here’s to the next 25!”

NCTD (Courtesy of NCTD)

To celebrate its golden anniversary, NCTD will be hosting pop-up events at stations with free limited-edition giveaways (while supplies last) for riders from Sept. 23 through Sept. 25. NCTD will also host a press conference and public anniversary celebration on Sept. 27 at 10 a.m.

The North County Transit Development Board was established on Sept. 20, 1975, by California Senate Bill No. 802, to plan, construct, and operate public transit in North San Diego County. The new transit agency’s jurisdiction would include Oceanside, Carlsbad, San Marcos, Vista, Escondido, Fallbrook, Pauma, Valley Center, San Dieguito, and Ramona. The Board would serve as the operator of bus service within the North County area, absorbing the municipal bus systems of Escondido and Oceanside.

(Courtesy of NCTD)

Since then, the North County Transit Development Board evolved into the North County Transit District, adopting the acronym NCTD, and is now operating as North County Transit – San Diego Railroad. NCTD expanded its service and established the COASTER commuter rail in 1995, SPRINTER hybrid rail in 2008, FLEX deviated fixed route service, LIFT paratransit service, and NCTD+ on-demand (see timeline above).

Earlier this year, NCTD placed new COASTER cab and coach cars into service and celebrated 30 years of the commuter rail service. NCTD will also redesign its SPRINTER vehicles, the first of which will be launched as part of its 50th Anniversary. NCTD also unveiled a new logo this year (above).

The post Transit Briefs: Amtrak/USRC, Transit Tech Lab, CTA, NJT, Sound Transit, NCTD appeared first on Railway Age.

UP

UP’s iconic Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, will journey between Wyoming and Colorado later this month. The limited excursion will offer rail fans another opportunity to see the railroad’s rich history in action.

“The Big Boy not only represents Union Pacific Railroad’s rich history, it symbolizes who we are as a railroad—built on strength, innovation and grit,” said CEO Jim Vena. “It’s an important connector among our communities, customers and employees that serves as a rolling reminder of railroads’ historic role driving our nation’s growth.”

Mark your calendars:

Tuesday, Sept. 30: Cheyenne, Wyo., departs 11 a.m. MDT; Greeley, Colo., 12:45 p.m.-1:15 p.m. MDT

Wednesday, Oct. 1: Eaton, Colo., 12:30 p.m.-1 p.m. MDT (park west of Highway 85 and cross at the Collins Street pedestrian crosswalk); Cheyenne, Wyo., 2:30 p.m.-3:15 p.m. MDT; operational move to turn locomotive at Speer, Wyo., returning to Cheyenne 5 p.m. MDT

After this trip, Big Boy will gear up for a monumental journey in 2026 to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. More information will be available here.

CSX

CSX President and CEO Joe Hinrichs has been recognized with the Champion of Change Award from ACCP.

(Photo Courtesy of Joe Hinrichs via LinkedIn)

The Champion for Change Award recognizes a C-suite executive who provides leadership that advances both social and business impact in communities where the company operates and globally. “Joe Hinrichs works to embed community investment as a priority across the company, and his focus on employee volunteerism as a means to collaboration and engagement makes him an exemplary Champion for Change,” ACCP said in a press release.

“This is just another example of our ONE CSX team delivering for all our key stakeholders – including the communities we live in and serve every day. Special thanks to our entire 23,000 ONE CSX team members who made this possible,” said Hinrichs in a LinkedIn post.

NS

The Frazier-White Site, a 430-acre property in Decatur-Limestone County, Ala., has received nearly $88,000 through the Alabama Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) Act to support critical site readiness activities.

A strategic grant through Alabama’s SEEDS program is helping fast-track development at a promising Limestone County industrial site. (Image: Limestone County EDA)

According to the Limestone County Economic Development Association (LCEDA), the award will help fund a $154,000 due diligence initiative that includes environmental and cultural assessments, wetlands delineation, species studies and other key evaluations necessary for industrial recruitment.

Positioned just 1.5 miles from Interstate 65 and adjacent to two four-lane highways, the Frazier-White Site boasts rail access via Norfolk Southern (NS), robust infrastructure, and proximity to a highly skilled labor force.

“Norfolk Southern is proud to support the development of rail-served sites like the Frazier-White Site,” said NS Senior Industrial Development Manager Tyler Preast. “This SEEDS award represents a meaningful investment in Decatur-Limestone County and reinforces the value of rail in driving economic growth and American reindustrialization.”

With the SEEDS funding now secured, LCEDA said it will advance to the next phase of positioning the site for prospective industries and headquarters in sectors including advanced manufacturing, aerospace, aviation, agriculture technology, and food products.

The post Class I Briefs: UP, CSX, NS appeared first on Railway Age.

According to NCRR, this is the first time the program offered two application rounds in a single year, “a response to increasing interest from communities and site developers.”

“North Carolina’s economic future depends on how well we prepare today,” said NCRR President and CEO Carl Warren. “The Build Ready Sites Program equips communities with the tools to attract transformative industry. Expanding to two grant rounds this year reflects the growing demand for domestic manufacturing capacity.”

Since its launch in 2021, the BRS Program awarded $11.7 million in private grants to 21 counties across North Carolina, helping create more than 4,000 acres of rail-served property for industrial use. These investments, NCRR says, “aim to strengthen local economies, attract new industry and support job creation in both rural and urban communities.”

In the spring 2025 cycle, NCRR awarded $2.5 million overall to four communities preparing rail-served sites for future industrial use. “By investing in rail-served sites, we’re giving North Carolina communities the tools to compete and win-attracting jobs, industry, and long-term growth,” said NCRR Chief Commercial Officer Trish Haver.

The Town of Spencer in Rowan County received $750,000 for water and sewer extensions at the N.C. I-85 South site, a 100-acre property. Partners include the Rowan County Economic Development Council and Samet Corporation.

Mecklenburg County received $500,000 towards clearing and grading as well as connecting to public utility infrastructure at the 40-acre Pence Road site. The Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway Company (ACWR) owns the industrially zoned property and partnered with the county to pursue the grant.

NCRR awarded Wayne County up to $750,000 for utility extension and relocation at a 44-acre lot in ParkEast Industrial Park in Goldsboro, a project advanced in partnership with the North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region. The fourth grant of $500,000 was awarded to Cabarrus County for site readiness regarding rail centric development on the ACWR.

These awards, the company says, “build on NCRR’s commitment to advancing site readiness and ensuring communities are well-positioned to compete for new industrial projects.”

In related news NCRR has received a 2025 Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for the company’s work in the Recovery, Resiliency & Mitigation category that impacted approximately 1.2 million residents. NCRR representatives were honored at the IEDC 2025 Annual Conference in Detroit, Mich., September 14-17.

“North Carolina Railroad Company is leading the field of excellence in economic development with its Back-on-Track Disaster Recovery Program. This award shines a spotlight on NCRR’s commitment to its community and showcases the significant impact of economic development,” said IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle. “IEDC is honored to present this award to North Carolina Railroad Company to celebrate both their leadership and innovation in the field.”

Each year, IEDC honors economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that consistently demonstrate excellence in the field. The honorees lead transformational projects that revitalize communities and advance the practice of economic development.

“When disaster strikes, North Carolina communities need partners who understand the stakes, move quickly and bring practical solutions,” said Warren. “We are proud to be that partner and appreciate the IEDC’s recognition of our work in recovery, resiliency and mitigation.”

The Back-on-Track Disaster Recovery Program provided more than $8.2 million within FEMA-designated disaster areas to Class II and Class III short lines, local rail-served industries in need of track infrastructure repairs and nonprofit Economic Development Organizations in need of operational support.

The post NCRR Opens Fall 2025 Build Ready Sites Grant Round appeared first on Railway Age.

Anchored by a newly developed port in Sault Ste. Marie, the Sault to the South Trade Corridor “is a strategic national initiative that will strengthen Canada’s internal trade and export networks, unlock new economic opportunities, and build industrial capacity in key sectors, including mining, forestry, steel, advanced manufacturing, and agriculture,” the City said.

Strategically located on the Great Lakes as a gateway to northern Ontario’s resource zones, the corridor will serve as a logistics and processing gateway, integrating marine, rail, and highway infrastructure to support full-season, multimodal connectivity. The initiative is aligned with the federal Canada Strong plan, the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario, and Ontario’s Critical Mineral Strategy.

“Sault Ste. Marie is a natural fit as a multimodal hub within the Great Lakes corridor,” said HOPA Ports President and CEO Ian Hamilton. “Its geographic position connects seamlessly to industrial bases like Windsor, Port Colborne, Hamilton, and Montreal, forming powerful intra-provincial links between Northern Ontario’s resource base and Canada’s largest industrial and consumer markets.”

As part of this initiative, the partners are exploring the Algoma Steel site as a potential host location for the port facilities. The Algoma Steel site offers significant industrial land, deepwater access, and existing infrastructure that can support co-located economic activities. Positioning the port on Algoma’s footprint would create a unique multimodal hub, linking steelmaking, logistics, energy, and advanced manufacturing, and reinforcing the Sault’s role as a strategic engine of industrial growth in Northern Ontario, the partners noted.

“Having Algoma Steel’s site under consideration as a port location positions us as a central player in regional economic diversification, beyond steelmaking,” said Algoma Steel CEO Michael Garcia. “It underscores our role as an anchor in nation-building infrastructure and highlights Sault Ste. Marie’s importance as a gateway for Canadian industry.”

Benefits of the Sault to the South Corridor include:

• Multimodal Hub: 100+ acres of industrial space with deepwater access and redevelopment potential.
• Transportation Connections: Integrated rail, highway, and marine links with extended-season service.
• Industrial Clustering: Immediate access to key sectors and co-location opportunities for logistics and energy.
• Skilled Labor Pool: Strong base of tradespeople; relationships with Sault College and Algoma University.
• Speed to Market: Base infrastructure; market connections are active and ready to scale.

The project, the partners say, will attract investment and create jobs in construction, marine operations, industrial manufacturing and processing, warehousing and logistics, while fostering academic-industry collaboration through Sault College and Algoma University.

Next steps include stakeholder engagement at provincial, federal, and Indigenous levels; infrastructure analysis; and market outreach in key sectors. The City and HOPA will continue collaborating to advance the business plan and marine/rail infrastructure strategy.

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