These sponsors are making the 2026 Southwestern Rail Conference possible:
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Federal Railroad Administration directs Amtrak to restructure into three operating entities, not to be privatized
February 22nd, 2026
February 22, 2026 - Special to TRA from RailPassengers.org -The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has revealed that it is directing Amtrak to undertake a dramatic organizational restructuring, breaking itself into three distinct operational entities within an umbrella holding company, focusing...
A messy transit funding fight in Dallas may have reached a pause — but some advocates fear the détente won't hold.
February 22nd, 2026
February 19, 2026 - usa.streestblog.org -A vote six years in the making that would decimate the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system might soon be called off, potentially averting a major funding crisis for the agency — though advocates say there's...
BNSF and N. Texas city of Gunter agree on 900 acre logistics rail park after two years of negotiations
February 21st, 2026
February 17, 2026 - KTEN.com -The Gunter City Council and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) are now business partners. "We negotiated a win-win for both sides... I think that is a huge accomplishment," said Gunter Mayor Karen Souther.The two...
Austin Transit Partnership selects contractor to help build Austin light rail system
February 21st, 2026
February 21, 2026 - TRA Newswire - Austin Transit Partnership, the local government corporation charged with implementing Austin’s first light rail system, has selected Austin Rail Constructors (ARC) as the construction contractor for Austin Light Rail, marking another major step toward...
Grapevine Vintage Railroad starts back up with weekend trips to Fort Worth Stockyards
February 13th, 2026
February 13, 2026 - TRA Newswire -The season opener weekend for the Grapevine Vintage Railroad is February 21 and 22, according to Randall Sweet with the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau.The heritage railroad departs from the downtown Grapevine station on...
City of Dallas pulls back on DART control, suburb cities will have more voting power on transit
February 13th, 2026
February 13, 2026 - TRA Newswire -Facing a showdown by six adjacent member cities to leave the Dallas Area Rapid Transit network, the Dallas City Council voted Wednesday to lower its share of control of the agency from 53% to...
Free student rail seminar planned for February 27th at UNT-Dallas campus, limited to first 85 registered
February 8th, 2026
February 8, 2026 - TRA Newswire - University and college students from North Texas that have an interest in anything passenger or freight rail will want to sign up for a one-day symposium later this month in Dallas. The UNT-Dallas School of...
N TX Council of Governments to launch video to support Heartland Flyer; agency looks at future intercity trains
February 5th, 2026
February 5, 2026 - TRA Newswire -The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) knows that the future of travel in a growing state like ours needs intercity rail as a transportation choice and it's important not to take a...
BNSF & Hobby Lobby open transfer facility in OKC, would take up to 40,000 trucks off Texas roads
February 5th, 2026
February 5, 2026 - TRA Newswire -BNSF Railway and Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. gathered in Oklahoma City to celebrate the opening of the Class I railroad’s new intermodal facility. Oklahoma Department of Transportation Executive Director Tim Gatz, Oklahoma City mayor...
Union Pacific signs $1.2B loco upgrade agreement with Wabtec, largest ever in U.S. rail history
February 4th, 2026
February 4, 2026 - TRA Newswire -Union Pacific has signed what they describe as a "landmark agreement" with locomotive manufacturer Wabtec Corporation totaling $1.2 billion.Wabtec will modernize Union Pacific’s fleet of AC4400 locomotives. This agreement represents the largest locomotive modernization investment...