This week’s roundup covers Amtrak naming CPKC its top host for a 10th straight year, a 26-car derailment near Eureka, Missouri that closed a roadway bridge and forced bus substitutions, and major Northeast Corridor work that will shut service south of Washington for nine days in October. Amtrak is also advancing B&P Tunnel replacement work with a TBM launch slated for 2028, and Canada awarded Stadler CA$1.6 billion to supply 45 diesel-battery hybrid locomotives and fund a new Montreal assembly facility.
Rail Industry Weekly Roundup — Top Stories for Week of July 31, 2026
The Empire Builder is one of five Amtrak trains handled in part by CPKC, the best performing of Amtrak's six Class I hosts. David Lassen
Wondering what you might have missed in the rail industry this week? Below are the top-performing TrainsPRO stories for the week of July 31, 2026, selected and edited for clarity.
All Host Railroads Earn C‑Plus or Better; CPKC Tops Amtrak’s List
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Amtrak named CPKC its top-performing host railroad for the 10th consecutive year, presenting a commemorative plaque during a July 24 visit to the carrier’s U.S. Operational Center. Tamara Noel, Amtrak assistant vice president for host railroads, praised CPKC’s operational attention to detail and reliability—factors Amtrak cited as key to keeping passenger trains on time.
Amtrak’s latest host-railroad report card showed that all host railroads received grades of C‑plus or better, underscoring modest industry-wide performance gains while highlighting CPKC’s continued leadership among Amtrak’s six Class I host partners.
26 Cars Derail Near Eureka; Missouri River Runner Service Replaced By Buses
EUREKA, Mo. — On July 26 a 135-car Union Pacific coal train experienced a derailment in the Eureka area, with 26 cars leaving the rails. One derailed car struck a bridge support and prompted closure of the nearby Lewis Road bridge. The Eureka Fire Protection District said in a social-media post that no injuries were reported.
Local television station KTVI reported that a St. Louis County subcontractor assessed the 1920s-era overpass as compromised but not in immediate danger. Missouri River Runner passenger service on affected segments was replaced by buses while inspections and repairs proceed.
Major Northeast Corridor Work Will Force Extended Service Suspensions in October
WASHINGTON — Amtrak briefed its board on a slate of coordinated construction projects on the Northeast Corridor. As part of the work, Amtrak plans to suspend all train service south of Washington Union Station for nine full service days—Friday, Oct. 16 through Monday, Oct. 26—to rebuild the First Street Tunnel "A" interlocking.
Laura Mason, Amtrak’s executive vice president for capital delivery, said the work requires extensive track replacement in a confined area where assets have exceeded their useful life and conventional methods are not feasible. Amtrak has not yet released full details about contingency plans for Amtrak or Virginia Railway Express commuter service during the shutdown.
Baltimore B&P Tunnel Replacement Moves Toward TBM Launch in 2028
BALTIMORE — Preparatory work is accelerating for the replacement of the Baltimore & Potomac Tunnel on the NEC as the tunneling contractor ramps up to launch the first of two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) in 2028. Work also continues on NEC realignment south of the new Frederick Douglass Tunnel, including utility relocations and replacement of the Mulberry Street Bridge.
Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration completed more than a year of design and review work to improve constructability, scheduling and cost control while maintaining safety standards, the agencies said.
Stadler To Build Diesel‑Battery Hybrid Locomotives For VIA; New Montreal Factory Announced
MONTREAL — The Canadian government will invest CA$1.6 billion (US$1.14 billion) to purchase 45 diesel-battery hybrid locomotives for VIA Rail from Swiss manufacturer Stadler, officials announced July 29. As part of the deal, Ottawa will provide CA$357 million to support construction of a new Stadler factory and maintenance facility in Montreal.
Up to 36 locomotives will be assembled in Montreal; the initial units will be built at a Stadler plant in Spain. The first locomotive from Spain is expected to arrive in 2028 and enter service in 2029. Construction of the Montreal facility is projected to take roughly three years, with assembly beginning around 2030 and the full order complete by 2033.
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