Alstom edges toward completion of Acela order

HORNELL, N.Y. — Alstom has produced 270 units of its Amtrak order for 28 Acela Avelia Liberty trainsets and expects to see the 160-mph trains inaugurated in spring 2025, four years after the railroad had planned to introduce the premium Northeast Corridor service. That was the forecast offered by Alstom officials last week during a […]

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Legislator seeks to block federal funding for California high speed rail

Rendering of first car silver high speed train

WASHINGTON — A Northern California member of Congress said he will introduce legislation to prevent further federal funding for California’s high speed rail project, a target of two advisors to President-elect Donald Trump. U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Roseville, Calif.) said in a press release that the legislation would make the project ineligible for additional federal […]

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NJ Transit awards contract for major bridge project

Aerial view of bridge under construction

NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit’s board of directors has awarded the construction project for the lift portion of the new Raritan River Bridge, which will replace a 116-year-old swing bridge on its North Jersey Coast Line. Skanska Koch Inc. of Carteret, N.J., was selected for the project. The contract is worth a maximum of $444.4 […]

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Supreme Court hears arguments in Uinta Basin Railway case

Trains Washington Watch logo

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court appears to be willing to find for supporters of the Uinta Basin Railway in their appeal of a decision blocking construction of the Utah rail line — even if they have some issues with the method suggested by a lawyer for determining the adequacy of environmental reviews at the heart […]

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VIA Rail Canada thinks big with plans for new long-distance equipment: Analysis

Yesterday’s news out of Montreal was a stunner: VIA Rail Canada will re-equip its long-distance, regional, and remote-service trains with new single-level equipment — including dome cars for its flagship, the Vancouver-Toronto Canadian. VIA Rail’s 70-year-old Budd-built stainless steel fleet is a testament to durability and design. But nothing lasts forever, and despite all their […]

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Alstom to become contract operator for LA’s Metrolink

Overhead view of commuter train at station

LOS ANGELES — Alstom will become contract operator of Metrolink commuter rail operations, expanding on the company’s current maintenance role and replacing Amtrak, which has provided Metrolink’s crews since 2010. The initial five-year contract, valued at approximately $515 million, begins Jan. 1, with Alstom taking over operations on July 1, 2025. It will  run through […]

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VIA Rail Canada seeks bids for new long-distance trainsets (updated)

MONTREAL— VIA Rail Canada has issued a formal “Request for Qualification” for prospective carbuilders to replace long-distance, regional, and remote-service passenger cars that date from the mid-1950s. This follows a November RFQ for locomotives to power the new single-level equipment. The request issued today (Monday, Dec. 9) follows a commitment earlier this year by the […]

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