WASHINGTON — The budget compromise that Congress passed last night and is expected to be signed by President Donald Trump today funds Amtrak at $1.9 billion, equal to last year’s level, according to a summary document issued by House Democrats. The bill also includes $670 million for rail infrastructure improvements. Overall, the Federal Railroad Administration budget […]
WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration today released a status update regarding railroads’ self-reported progress toward full implementation of positive train control systems as of Dec. 31, 2018. All required railroads either met the Dec. 31, 2018, statutory deadline for fully implementing PTC systems, or submitted requests demonstrating they met or exceeded the statutory criteria […]
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern de Mexico reports it has restored service into the port of Lázaro Cárdenas after striking teachers blocked trains. Claiming they were owed pay, benefits, and bonuses, teachers in the state of Michoacán, west of Mexico City in mid-January began blockading tracks. They shut down at least 250 trains […]
In this episode of Trains News Wire round-up, Trains editors talk about all the rail news that is fit to publish for the week of Feb. 15, 2019. This week Editor Jim Wrinn and Digital Editor Steve Sweeney discuss CSX Transportation line sales, a photo charter with Skookum, Union Pacific Big Boy, and more! […]
Association of American Railroads Association of American Railroads WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads on Wednesday reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Feb. 9. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 519,779 carloads and intermodal units, up 0.1 percent compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the […]
Jim Foote, CSX Corp. CEO CSX Corp. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation now aims to spin off about 4,500 miles of routes under its line rationalization program, a figure that includes the 1,325 miles that have been sold or are currently out to bid. The railroad began reviewing 8,000 miles of track as potential candidates […]
Three new postage stamps celebrate the transcontinental railroad’s 150th anniversary. USPS WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service has added five additional subjects to the 2019 Stamp Program, including the Golden Spike. More details on dates and locations for the first-day-of-issue ceremonies are coming. Three new stamps in a pane of 18 mark the 150th anniversary […]
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – President Donald Trump fired the latest salvo in the California High Speed Rail firestorm late Wednesday when he sent the following tweet: California has been forced to cancel the massive bullet train project after having spent and wasted many billions of dollars. They owe the Federal Government three and a half billion […]
The Tennessee Valley Authority board of directors approved closing the Bull Run Fossil Plant at Oak Ridge, Tenn., and the Paradise Fossil Plant Unit 3 in Western Kentucky on Feb. 14, 2019. Chattanooga, TENN. — A major Tennessee utility provider has approved closing two rail-served, coal-fired power plants, alluding to a changing landscape in electricity […]
Amtrak Chairman Anthony Coscia, left, speaks at a news conference in New York City Wednesday announcing a $189 million settlement agreement between the railroad and the state of New Jersey. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and NJ Transit Executive Director Kevin Corbett stand behind Coscia. Ralph Spielman NEW YORK CITY — New Jersey officials have […]
Amtrak began serving Norfolk, Va., in December 2012. Fred W. Frailey NORFOLK, Va. – Amtrak will soon offer two weekday departures from Norfolk. Tickets are now available to purchase for travel to and from the waterfront city beginning on March 4. The first Northeast Regional departs Norfolk at 6:15 a.m. every weekday and arrives in […]
FORT WORTH, Texas — BNSF Railway today announced its 2019 capital investment plan of $3.57 billion. The emphasis of this year’s capital plan continues to be on maintaining and expanding its network with an unwavering focus on operating a safe railroad that meets customers’ demands. “Our rail network is in excellent shape and its condition […]
