Class I Briefs: CN, Port of Montreal, NS

CN expands firefighting fleet with new assets and upgrades to existing trains. Also, the Montreal Port Authority (MPA) and DP World in Canada sign a joint development agreement for the design of the land-based works of the future container terminal; and Norfolk Southern (NS) is accepting applications for its Trades on Track scholarship until Sept. 30.

“The new ZEMU is easy to spot with its signature blue and white water-vapor design wrapped around the train’s two passenger cars and center power pack where the hydrogen and battery propulsion system is located,” according to SBCTA. (Photograph Courtesy of SBCTA)

ZEMU Debut Set for Sept. 13

San Bernardino County Transportation Authority’s ZEMU—a hydrogen fuel cell-powered FLIRT H2 train from Stadler—will launch Sept. 13, serving riders on Metrolink’s nine-mile, five-station Arrow Corridor between San Bernardino and Redlands in Southern California. The

(Logos courtesy of the respective organizations)

IBEW Ratifies Agreement With UP

Members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) have “overwhelmingly” ratified an agreement with Union Pacific (UP), the labor union reported Sept. 8.

Legislation Introduced to Nullify FRA Two-Person Crew Mandate

Congressman Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) on Sept. 5 introduced legislation to nullify the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) rule requiring all freight trains to operate with at least two crew members on board at all times.

Alín Campián, R.J. Corman Railroad Group (left) and Steve Schmotzer, North American Rail Solutions. (Photographs courtesy of the respective organizations)

People News: R.J. Corman Railroad Group, NCTD, NARS

R.J. Corman Railroad Group appoints Alín Campián as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Also, California’s North County Transit – San Diego Railroad (NCTD) promotes Jeffery Wymer to Director of Information Technology; and North American Rail Solutions (NARS) welcomes Steve Schmotzer as Chief Development Officer.

“BNSF General Director of Marketing Mark Ganaway joined TXNW Railway, one of our first Shortline Select partners, for the TXNW CRISI grant interchange ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating the expansion of interchange tracks in Sunray, Texas,” BNSF reported via social media on Sept. 5. (Photograph Courtesy of BNSF)

Class I Briefs: BNSF, UP

BNSF and TXNW Railway celebrate the completion of an $8.2 million project to rebuild, reconfigure, and extend an interchange in Texas. Also, Union Pacific (UP) recognizes Tehachapi, Calif., as the 134th community on its network to be named a Train Town USA.

VIA’s Peloquin Featured at Next-Gen Rail Systems

VIA Rail Canada President CEO Mario Peloquin is a featured speaker at Next-Gen Rail Systems, the communications, signaling and advanced technology conference presented by Railway Age, and formerly known as Next-Gen Train

Transit Briefs: SMART, Scarborough Subway Extension

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit’s (SMART) Windsor Extension Project receives the American Society of Civil Engineer’s (ASCE) 2025 Outstanding Transportation Project Award. Also, the Ontario government breaks ground on the first of three stations for the Scarborough Subway Extension.

Port of Long Beach Releases Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility Draft Supplemental Study

The Port of Long Beach on Sept. 5 released a draft supplemental report examining the environmental impacts of minor additions and changes to the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility project.

(Photograph Courtesy of SEPTA)

Reports: Judge Orders Service Restoration, Allows Fare Hikes at SEPTA (UPDATED 9/8)

A Philadelphia judge on Sept. 4 ruled that SEPTA must “‘immediately reverse all service cuts,’ which began last month as the transit agency faces a significant financial shortfall and the state budget has not yet allocated funds amid a monthslong budget stalemate,” according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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