Merrick here...

Barry Levinson will adapt Peter Dexter's novel TRAIN (available HERE) for the big screen.

The 1950s-set "Train" centers on Miller Packard, a white sergeant in the San Diego Police Department, and a young black golf caddy named Lionel "Train" Walk, who harbors knowledge of a murder, and what happens when the characters collide. The mystery also explores themes of city politics and racism in midcentury Southern California.

...syas THIS ARTICLE in Hollywood Reporter.

The project will be scripted by Allison Burnett (AUTUMN IN NEW YORK, UNTRACEABLE), who recently penned the forthcoming remake of FAME (details HERE).

Yesterday we reported that Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes was mounting an noir(ish) project called FIASCO HEIGHTS (HERE). While two noir projects hardly constitue a 'trend', I wouldn't be surprised if this eventually becomes one. Sooner or later, The Powers That Be will exhaust their stockpile of pre-established titles that are easy to remake/market and will need to move on to something else.