Rail News

Published: February 13, 2026

This page provides a portal to the latest in rail news, from preservation and restortation subjects to other notable topics. For any museums, heritage railroads, freight railroads, or other organizations interested in having their news story(s) posted here please do not hesitate to reach out!

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Commuter Rail

RTA To Become The Northern Illinois Transit Authority
Later this year, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA)—the umbrella agency that plans and funds public transportation across the Chicago region—will be reorganized into a new entity: the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA).
MBTA Unveils New Haven-Inspired Locomotive
he Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has pulled back the curtain on its newest heritage locomotive, F40PH-3C No. 1071, wearing a bold, New Haven–inspired paint scheme that pays tribute to the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad.
Sound Transit Set to Launch Cross-Lake Service
For the first time in the region’s modern transit era, Sound Transit light rail trains will soon carry passengers directly across Lake Washington
CTDOT May Swap Shore Line East’s Electrics For Diesels
Connecticut’s Shore Line East (SLE) commuter rail service—one of the state’s most scenic and strategically important passenger corridors—could soon see a major operational change.
Siemens Mobility Tapped To Modernize Tri-Rail Fleet
South Florida’s Tri-Rail commuter service is preparing for a significant motive-power upgrade after the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) announced it has selected Siemens Mobility to supply seven new Charger diesel-electric locomotives.
LA Metro’s A Line Extension Study Forecasts $1.1B in Economic Output
The next eastern push of LA Metro’s A Line—extending light-rail service beyond Pomona to Claremont—has gained fresh momentum amid new economic analysis projecting more than $1.1 billion in economic output.
Tri-Rail Sets New Ridership Record in 2025
South Florida’s commuter rail service Tri-Rail has achieved a new annual ridership milestone, carrying more than 4.5 million passengers in calendar year 2025.
Minnesota's Northstar Commuter Rail Ends Service
Metro Transit has confirmed that Northstar service between downtown Minneapolis (Target Field Station) and Big Lake has ceased, with expanded bus service along the corridor beginning Jan. 5, 2026.
Virginia Railway Express Surpasses 100 Million Riders
In October 2025, the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) reached one of the most significant milestones in its history, officially carrying its 100 millionth passenger since beginning operations more than three decades ago.

Diesel

Metrolink F59PH 851 Preserved In Fullerton, CA
Metrolink has donated locomotive No. 851—its first rostered unit—to the Fullerton Train Museum, where it will be displayed and interpreted as a cornerstone artifact from the region’s modern passenger-rail era.
New York & Lake Erie Unveils M636 No. 636 In New Colors (2025)
In mid-May 2025, railfans along the former Erie rails in Western New York were treated to a sight that feels increasingly rare in North American railroading: a big M636 in new paint.
CPKC To Buy 65 New Progress Rail SD70ACe-T4s
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) is moving to refresh and expand its road fleet with a new-build order from Progress Rail, announcing an agreement for 65 EMD SD70ACe-T4 Tier 4 diesel-electric freight locomotives.
Norfolk Southern To Buy 40 New Wabtec ES44ACs
Norfolk Southern has announced it will acquire 40 brand-new Wabtec ES44AC locomotives, marking the Class I railroad’s first purchase of new locomotives since 2022.
Cincinnati Scenic Railway To Acquire B&O GP30
The Cincinnati Scenic Railway, through an agreement with the Raritan Central Railway, to acquire former B&O GP30 #6923, currently lettered as RCRY #5.
NS Completes 1,000th DC-to-AC Locomotive Conversion
In October 2025, Norfolk Southern Railway reached one of the most significant mechanical milestones in modern North American railroading, announcing completion of its 1,000th DC-to-AC locomotive conversion,.
Restoration Continues On New Haven RS3 529
The Railroad Museum of New England's efforts to completely restore New Haven RS3 529 to operating condition as they provide the latest updates on the project.
Nevada Museum Acquires Amtrak F40PHR 315
The Nevada State Railroad Museum has stated they have acquired Amtrak F40PHR 315 from Western Rail, Inc. where it will be used for static display.
NS, Progress Rail Announce SD70ICC Modernization
Norfolk Southern Railway has announced a significant locomotive modernization initiative in partnership with Progress Rail Services Corporation that will rebuild 96 existing road locomotives into a new configuration designated SD70ICC.

Freight Rail

CSX Taps Wabtec For $670M Locomotive And Digital Upgrade
CSX Transportation says it is moving to refresh and standardize a major piece of its operating fleet, announcing a $670 million agreement with Wabtec.
Union Pacific, Wabtec Ink $1.2B Deal To Modernize AC4400 Fleet
Union Pacific has signed a $1.2 billion agreement with Wabtec to modernize a significant portion of its GE AC4400 fleet, doubling down on the strategy of rebuilding proven high-horsepower road units rather than replacing them outright.
UP, NS Set April 30 Date To Refile Merger Application
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have told federal regulators they will submit a revised merger application on April 30, restarting the formal review process for what would become one of the most consequential railroad consolidations in decades.

Heritage

Metro-North Unveils Veterans Heritage Locomotive
The Metro-North Railroad marked Veterans Day 2025 with the unveiling of a striking new heritage locomotive honoring the service and sacrifice of America’s military veterans.
OmniTRAX Unveils Restored Business Car "Savannah Sunrise"
Short line and industrial railroad operator OmniTRAX has completed the restoration of a vintage business car “Savannah Sunrise," built in 1959 by National Steel Car.
TVRM To Assist In Gas-Powered Locomotive's Restoration
The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum has announced it is assisting in the eventual cosmetic restoration of a former gas powered locomotive used in the logging industry.
Reading & Northern Unveils Semiquincentennial 1776
In November 2025, the Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad (RBMN)—commonly known as the Reading & Northern—announced the debut of a striking patriotic locomotive commemorating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.

Industry

CPKC Holiday Train Sets New Record In 2025
Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s (CPKC) beloved Holiday Train wrapped up its 2025 tour with a milestone that underscores just how powerful a community tradition can become.
New Documentary Charts Iowa Interstate's History
A newly released documentary is shining a spotlight on one of the Midwest’s most distinctive regional railroads: the Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS).
CPKC Sets New January Grain-Haul Record
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) says it has opened 2026 with a new benchmark in Canadian grain transportation, announcing that the railway moved a record volume of grain and grain products in January.
Norfolk Southern Unveils Advanced Wheel Integrity System
In a bid to further strengthen rail safety and defect detection, Norfolk Southern Railway has introduced a cutting-edge Wheel Integrity System, marking what the Class I carrier calls a significant breakthrough in predictive safety technology.
Pinsly Restores Freight Service On Alabama Short Line
After more than a year without trains, freight rail service has returned to a key industrial corridor in southern Alabama.
CSX Completes Avon Yard Hump Lead Extension
CSX says it has finished a key infrastructure upgrade at its Avon Yard in Indianapolis, completing the “cutover” of a newly extended hump lead that the railroad expects will improve yard fluidity.
Ohio Rail Commission Approves Two Projects
At its January 22 bi-monthly meeting, the Ohio Rail Development Commission approved grant funding for two rail infrastructure projects that together will yield nearly $400,000 in investment to improve rail safety and efficiency across the state.
CSX Completes Major Upgrades at Willard Yard
In a significant boost to freight rail operations in the Midwest, CSX Transportation announced in January that it has finished a comprehensive series of infrastructure improvements at its Willard Yard.
Reading & Northern Surpasses 1M Tons Of Coal For 3rd Year
Reading & Northern Railroad (R&N), the largest privately owned railroad in Pennsylvania, has shipped more than one million tons of Anthracite coal for the third straight year. This was an impressive feat considering the downturn in export volume in 2025.
Historic Blizzard Paralyzes the U.S. Northeast, Halts Rail Traffic
A powerful winter blizzard sweeping the northeastern United States on Monday, February 23, 2026, has brought transportation networks to a near standstill.
CSX’s 2025 Santa Train: 83 Years of Holiday Cheer
On Saturday, November 22, 2025, CSX’s iconic Santa Train completed its 83rd annual run, again turning a working freight railroad into a rolling holiday tradition for communities across central Appalachia.
CPKC Sets New February Grain Shipping Record
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) announced on March 3 that it established a new company record for grain transportation during the month of February.
Union Pacific Restores Rail Bridge Service in Lincoln
Union Pacific crews have successfully restored freight rail service across a key bridge in Lincoln, Nebraska, completing a rapid reconstruction effort in just a few weeks.
NS Faces Multiple Derailments Near Historic Horseshoe Curve
One of America’s most famous railroad landmarks, the legendary Horseshoe Curve west of Altoona, Pennsylvania, has recently been the site of multiple freight-train derailments involving Norfolk Southern Railway.

Museums

NPS Awards $1.93M To Sioux City Railroad Museum
The Sioux City Railroad Museum has received a $1.93 million National Park Service grant aimed at pushing the museum’s long recovery from the June 2024 flooding.
B&O Railroad Museum Unveils $38M Expansion
Western Maryland Railway F7 236 points towards the Mount Clare Roundhouse in Baltimore as part of the B&O Museum.
Ohio Railway Museum Unveils “Vision for the Future” Plan
The Ohio Railway Museum (ORM), one of the nation’s oldest all-volunteer rail preservation organizations, has laid out an ambitious blueprint aimed at transforming its organization.
Illinois Railway Museum Completes Barn 15
The Illinois Railway Museum announced on March 3, 2026 it had completed Barn 15, adding 2000 feet of indoor storage space.
Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum Completes Bridge 4 Overhaul
The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum has announced it has completed work on Bridge 4 to ensure excursions on the Calera & Shelby Railroad can continue for many years.
UP 4014 To Visit WPRM For Fundraising Dinner
Rail enthusiasts in Northern California will have a rare opportunity this spring as Union Pacific 4014 — the world’s largest operating steam locomotive — is scheduled to visit the Western Pacific Railroad Museum on April 8, 2026.
Construction Continues On Railroad Museum Of Pennsylvania Roundhouse
Construction is underway on a long-anticipated roundhouse exhibit building at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg, a project designed to preserve several of the most historically significant steam locomotives from the Pennsylvania Railroad collection.

Passenger Rail

The Raleigh-to-Richmond 'S' Line: Rebuilding A Vital Corridor
The 'S' Line project intends to reconnect Raleigh to Richmond by rail via the Seaboard Air Line's former main line abandoned under CSX during the 1980s.
Amtrak Introduces The Cascades Airo Trainset
Amtrak pulled the curtain back this month on the first trainset in its forthcoming Airo fleet, using Union Station as a stage to preview what the railroad says is a major step forward in comfort, accessibility, and onboard technology.
First Siemens “Northlander” Trainset Arrives In Ontario
Ontario’s long-awaited return of the Northlander passenger train took a major step forward this winter with the arrival of the first brand-new Siemens-built trainset in the province.
PennDOT Pushes Forward Scranton–New York Passenger Rail Plan
Pennsylvania’s long-discussed idea of restoring passenger trains between Scranton and New York City is moving into a more formal planning phase.
Brightline Unveils ‘Freedom Express’ To Commemorate America’s 250th
Brightline, the privately operated passenger railroad based in Florida, this week unveiled its new Freedom Express train to honor the nation's 250th anniversary.
NCDOT Study: Restoring Asheville Passenger Rail Offers Economic Lift
A revived passenger rail connection between Salisbury and Asheville could do far more than bring trains back to the mountains for the first time in decades could offer considerable economic benefits.

Preservation

B&O Observation "Washington" Cosmetically Restored
Visitors to the B&O Railroad Museum will soon be able to step into a freshly revived slice of postwar rail luxury: Baltimore & Ohio No. 3316, the observation-tavern car Washington.
B&O Railroad Museum Unveils Restored American Freedom Train No. 1
The B&O Railroad Museum has completed a comprehensive cosmetic restoration of American Freedom Train No. 1, the patriotic 4-8-4 steam locomotive that helped pull the famed American Freedom Train during the nation’s Bicentennial celebrations.
Historic Izaak Walton Inn Slated To Close
A storied rail-side landmark in northwest Montana—the Izaak Walton Inn in Essex—appears headed for an abrupt shutdown, with employees reportedly told their work will end “on or about March 6, 2026.”
$1.3M Mott Foundation Grant To Help Rebuild Rio Grande 2-8-2 No. 464
A $1.3 million grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation will fund critical work on steam locomotive No. 464, the railroad’s 1903-built 2-8-2 “Mikado” that has been out of service awaiting heavy repairs.

Steam

Nevada Northern Railway 2-8-0 81 Returns
The Nevada Northern Railway Museum has successfully fired its Baldwin-built 2-8-0 No. 81 after a lengthy outage and intensive mechanical work, a major milestone that sets the stage for the locomotive’s full return to regular service at East Ely.
Union Pacific 4014 Begins Coast-To-Coast Tour
Union Pacific’s legendary 4-8-8-4 “Big Boy” No. 4014 is scheduled to return to the main line in a big way this spring, kicking off the railroad’s first-ever coast-to-coast steam tour as part of a broader celebration tied to America’s 250th anniversary.
Santa Fe 3415's Rebuild Nears Completion
One of the Midwest’s most recognizable operating steam locomotives is edging closer to the day it can lead excursions again.
PRR T1 No. 5550’s Cylinders Nearing Completion
According to a project update circulated late last year, fabrication work on 5550’s cylinders has advanced to the point where they are now “nearing completion,” with the Trust reporting cylinder work roughly two-thirds finished.
Building A T1 Again: The PRR 5550 Project
Today, a nonprofit group, the PRR T1 Steam Locomotive Trust, is doing something that would have sounded impossible for decades: building a brand-new T1 from the ground up.
West Side Lumber Shay No. 12 Heads Home
A century-old survivor of Sierra Nevada logging railroading is returning west, recently acquired by the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad.
Chesapeake & Ohio 614 Restoration Pushes Forward
One of the most recognizable mainline steam locomotives to survive the post–steam era, C&O 614, is steadily moving through an intensive return-to-service overhaul.
Frisco 2-10-0 No. 1630 Continues Overhaul
In late April 2025, the Illinois Railway Museum (IRM) made a difficult but safety-minded call: sideline its famed St. Louis–San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 2-10-0 No. 1630.
NC&StL “Dixie” No. 576 Nears Steam Again
One of the South’s most famous surviving mainline steam locomotives is edging closer to doing what it hasn’t done since the early 1950s, operate under its own power.
C&O Kanawha No. 2716: A Third Chance at Steam
In the world of large, mainline-capable steam locomotives, it’s rare for any one engine to earn a third operational career. Yet that is exactly the goal for Chesapeake & Ohio 2-8-4 No. 2716.
Reading T-1 No. 2100 Restoration Progress
One of the most famous survivors of Reading Company’s big, fast freight-era steam—4-8-4 T-1 No. 2100—is inching closer to an operating debut after a restoration that has stretched across a decade and climbed well into seven figures in spending and in-kind labor
Age of Steam Roundhouse Adds C&O No. 1308
In late September 2025, the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum in Sugarcreek, Ohio, announced it had acquired Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1308.
Age of Steam Acquires B&LE 2-10-4 No. 643 (2025)
When the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum rolled out B&LE 2-10-4 No. 643 for public viewing in 2025, it wasn’t simply a new exhibit debuting under roof—it was the culmination of one of preservation’s longest, most complicated rescue stories.
New York Central 4-8-2 #3001 To Be Restored
New York Central 4-8-2 No. 3001—an L-3a “Mohawk”—is the centerpiece of a major operational restoration effort being led by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society (FWRHS) and its American Locomotive Project initiative.
Union Pacific Unveils Full Schedule For Big Boy 4014
Union Pacific Railroad has released the complete western leg schedule for its groundbreaking 2026 Big Boy No. 4014 Coast-to-Coast Tour.
Dollywood To Convert Steam Locomotives From Coal To Oil
Dollywood’s most recognizable moving landmark—the Dollywood Express—will soon look and feel a little different.
American Freedom Train No. 250 Completes FRA Steam Test
One of the most anticipated steam locomotive restorations in modern preservation reached a major milestone this week as American Freedom Train 4-8-4 No. 250 successfully completed a federally observed two-day steam test on February 26–27, 2026.

Tourist Railroads

WMSR Acquires Conemaugh & Black Lick SW7 No. 111
In a notable late-summer preservation move, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (WMSR) announced in August 2025 that it had acquired former Conemaugh & Black Lick Railroad (C&BL) EMD SW7 No. 111.
Michigan’s Old Road Dinner Train Still Seeks New Home
In May, 2025 it was announced that Michigan's Old Road Dinner Train was seeking a new home to continue operations. As of this writing that search continues.
WMSR's Georges Creek Division: Reviving A Long-Dormant Line
In 2024 the WMSR announced it was rebuilding part of the old WM. The Georges Creek Division will provide both heritage passenger service and future freight potential in a region once defined by coal, iron, and heavy industry.
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic To Repower Two FPA4s
A pair of classic, streamlined Alco/MLW FPA4 locomotives that have become signature power on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) are slated for a major mechanical transformation.
Reading & Northern Announces 2026 Excursions
Immediately upon the conclusion of another record-breaking year of ridership in 2025, the Reading & Northern Passenger Department has already begun its 2026 schedule of all-day rail excursion.
Hunterdon Wine Express Train Announces 2026 Season Dates
The Hunterdon Wine Express returns for its 2026 season from April through September, offering a four-hour wine country experience that combines historic rail travel, guided wine tasting, lunch, and time at Old York Cellars vineyard.