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Oil train traffic is down — for market reasons

August 24, 2016

At its peak, in October 2014, trains leaving the Bakken region of North Dakota moved more than 29 million barrels. — FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images

Economics are proving more powerful than protest in stifling crude-by-rail shipments.

POSTED IN: crude by rail oil trains derailment Bakken crude pipelines

Safer oil train transport is coming ... eventually

June 06, 2016

People protest oil trains, which have a record of explosion and fire disasters, near an over-sized puppet of Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders at the March to Break Free from Fossil Fuels on May 14, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. — DAVID MCNEW/AFP/Getty Images

The train crash and subsequent oil spill in Oregon has renewed calls for safety.

POSTED IN: oil trains; Bakken crude; derailment; train safety

A rural town hates the coming of high-speed trains

July 29, 2015

The route proposed for California's high-speed rail line would send trains through rural Acton at more than 200 miles an hour. Ray and Elizabeth Billet fear the rail line could pollute the water supply for their peach and pear farm and lower their property value. — Jeff Tyler

Tiny Acton, California, fears railway will bring water and noise pollution.

POSTED IN: Acton trains california

Fun Fact Friday: A driverless battle

By Gina Martinez

March 27, 2015

A Mercedes-Benz F 015 autonomous driving automobile is displayed at the Mercedes-Benz press event in Las Vegas, Nevada. — David Becker/Getty Images

A look at the week that was...

POSTED IN: driverless cars trains financial crisis

The fight over America's rails

By Nancy Marshall-Genzer

March 25, 2015

A train pulls up to a platform at Washington's Union Station. — Nancy Marshall-Genzer

A train whistle can evoke far-away places and adventure. Also, lawsuits.

POSTED IN: Amtrak trains lawsuits

Canada proposes tougher standards for oil tankers

March 16, 2015

A freight train pulling out of the Hess Gas Plant in Tioga, North Dakota, 2013. — KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images

Stricter rules are likely south of the border too.

POSTED IN: Canada trains oil tankers

Another oil train derails, as new rules approach

March 06, 2015

Another oil train derails prompting further discussion on regulation. — Kuknauf/Flickr

An uptick in accidents suggests tougher rules for oil tankers will prevail.

POSTED IN: crude oil trains oil spill

Train horns driving you crazy? Just wait a few years

December 17, 2014

A train travels on the Canadian Pacific Railway at Banff National Park near Lake Louise, Canada. This week, we focus on stories tied to the idea of mobility. — JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images

There is a way to silence passing trains, but it takes years and costs millions.

POSTED IN: trains noise

Rail delays shut down Midwestern power plants

By Dan Weissmann

September 17, 2014

A loaded CSX Transportation coal train sits parked on a spur track in Printer, Kentucky. Minnesota Power is idling generators in Duluth for three months because the railroad isn’t delivering enough coal. — Luke Sharrett/Getty Images

Minnesota utility couldn't get enough coal by rail to keep four plants operating

POSTED IN: coal trains Minnesota