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Mechanical

Commentary

UP: Practical Teamwork, Real Impact

In my job, I see every day how small, practical ideas can change the way we work. A pole that enables train crews to set and release hand brakes from…
Railroads have used Wabtec’s Trip Optimizer to operate their trains for more than 1 billion auto miles, the equivalent of more than 40,000 trips around the Earth. (Wabtec Photograph)

Supply Side: Wabtec, Alstom, Duos

Wabtec Corporation secures multiple pantograph orders in India. Also, four new Alstom automated people mover (APM) vehicles enter service at Tampa International Airport; and Duos Technologies hosts FRA Administrator David…

BLET, INRD Ratify New Agreement

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) on March 13 has ratified a new agreement with the Indiana Rail Road (INRD), a privately held Class II regional railroad headquartered…
Graham Christie (left), COO, ACTA; and Jason Kaiser (right), Group President of E&T, Caterpillar.

CSS, NYA Take Part in Locomotive Upgrades

Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad (CSS) and New York & Atlantic Railway (NYA) are continuing to complete locomotive rebuilds as part of parent company Anacostia Rail Holding’s capital…

Ray Betler Joins Intramotev Board

Intramotev, developer of the TugVolt autonomous battery-electric railcar, has appointed Ray Betler, former Wabtec President and CEO, as an Independent Director for its Board. “Ray began his career as a…

NS, Progress Rail Collaborate to Upgrade 96 Locomotives

Norfolk Southern (NS) and Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, are collaborating to upgrade 96 DC-traction NS locomotives to AC. Deliveries will start in 2027 and be completed in 2029. Each…

FreightCar America ‘Projecting Growth in 2026’

“Strong full year gross profit growth and more 260 basis points of gross margin expansion despite challenging industry environment,” operating cash flow of $35 million and adjusted free cash flow…

Not Your ‘Run of the Mill’ Gondolas

RAILWAY AGE, MARCH 2026 ISSUE: Improved carbody materials and innovative designs are transforming these long-lived warhorses into state-of-the-art railcars. The general-purpose, open-top gondola has been a part of freight railroading…

Wheel/Rail Vertical Impact Force Measurement Comparison

MXV RAIL R&D, RAILWAY AGE MARCH 2026 ISSUE: Under the Association of American Railroads (AAR) Strategic Research Initiatives (SRI) program, MxV Rail developed and evaluated improved techniques for measuring wheel/rail…

People News: RailPros, HNTB

RailPros hires Gorden Rumpff as Vice President, Mexico Operations. Also, Daniel Burke joins HNTB as Senior Group Director in Illinois.
Each of the Short Line Hall of Fame honorees—Robert Grossman (left), the late Jake Jacobson (center) and Rick Webb—“has made an indelible mark on the short line industry, from creating the industry role of advocate in government and regulatory affairs, to launching an industry-wide emphasis and recognition of safe operating performance, to growing a car repair shop with a single railroad into a multi-service entity operating in four countries by building a team focused on exceptional customer service,” ASLRRA reported.

Industry Marks Railroad Day on Capitol Hill

Nearly 400 representatives from Class I’s and short lines to suppliers, contractors, and the associations that represent them advocated for the freight rail industry on March 4 at Railroad Day…
MDOT MTA and Purple Line Transit Partners are facing further delays and seeking approval for a new opening date: winter 2027. (Photograph Courtesy of Holly Arnold, via Twitter, July 14, 2023)

SLSI Issues RFP for ‘Safety Train’ Project

The Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) has released a request for proposals (RFP) for a flatcar training platform buildout, part of its Safety Train project. Submissions are due April 15,…

Railway Age March 2026 Digital Edition Spotlights Small-Road Standouts

Railway Age’s 2026 Short Line and Regional of the Year program recognizes two Honorees and two Honorable Mentions for outstanding achievement—from growing through strategic investment, providing top-notch service, and positioning…

Supply Side: Stucki, STV

Rail components and services provider A. Stucki (Stucki) launches a newly designed website. Also, STV promotes Aaron Jones to Vice President of Media, Communications.
The NTSB observed the inspection and disassembly of wheelset #4 from railcar 7200, which caused the 2021 Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority derailment in Virginia. “In accordance with wheelset design, each wheel should have been flush against its bearing when mounted,” NTSB wrote in its January 2023 derailment investigation report. “Before disassembly, the inspection identified gaps between both wheels and their respective bearings: about 0.63 inches for the right-side wheel and about 1.10 inches for the left-side wheel [see above] … The back-to-back measurement was about 55.375 inches, or about 2 inches wider than the maximum design specification.” (NTSB Image)

First Look: CN 1776, CN 2026

Canadian Class I CN on March 4 launched two commemorative locomotives—moving tributes marking the 250th anniversary of the United States signing of the Declaration of Independence. Both America250 units will…

CPKC Debuts Commemorative Locomotive to Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) on March 3 unveiled a commemorative locomotive livery honoring the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and celebrating the founding of the United States…

Transit Briefs: BART, MBTA, MARC, Metra

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) Board adopts an alternative service plan outlining budget-balancing details. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is developing a rail modernization plan…
Commentary

Ocean of Capital Chasing Trains

This Financial Edge column from the March 2026 issue is a topic recommended by Eric Marchetto, Chief Financial Officer of Trinity Industries Inc., and is a companion to a Railway…

Progress Rail Suit Against Wabtec Over ‘Anticompetitive Conduct’ Settled Out of Court (UPDATED Feb. 27, 2026)

Progress Rail in September 2023 filed a lawsuit against Wabtec in U.S. federal court in Delaware accusing the latter of abusing its market power for diesel-electric main line locomotives, equipment…
California Zephyr (Photo Courtesy of Amtrak)

Passenger Rail News: Amtrak, SEPTA

Amtrak revises its long-distance fleet replacement strategy. Also, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) upgrades the Media–Sharon Hill Line with Hitachi Rail’s CBTC (Communications-Based Train Control) system.
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