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Metra to replace aging switchers with Tier 4, electric locomotives Metra will issue a request for proposals to replace its aging fleet of switchers with six new locomotives meeting Tier IV emission standards — as well as zero-emission, all-electric switcher — following approval by the commuter railroad’s board on Wednesday. Funding will come from state […]
Biden Administration change in FTA funding policy could boost Gateway Project The Biden Administration has reversed a Federal Transit Administration policy on funding that originated in the Trump Administration, increasing the prospects of the long-stalled Gateway Project to build new Hudson River tunnels to New York’s Penn Station. NJ.com reports the FTA said it would […]
U.S. rail freight traffic remained ahead of previous-year levels, although barely, in the latest weekly statistics from the Association of American Railroads. For the week ending Feb. 13, U.S. railroads moved 269,063 trailers and containers, a 6.9% increase over intermodal units for the corresponding week in 2020. The 211,420 carloads, meanwhile, represented a 7% decrease, […]
Large scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division F7A and F7B diesel locomotives. Amtrak (F7A in two road numbers, F7B in one number). F7A units have ball-bearing Bühler motors; traction tires; built-in mfx/Digital Command Control decoder with various light and sound functions; and separate, factory-applied details. F7B is unpowered and has built-in speaker that can be powered from […]
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — A Detroit-area company aims to use its patented shipping containers to put loads of auto parts into multilevel railcars that otherwise would return empty to assembly plants. Pro-Tech Group, which has designed containers to fit within the confines of auto racks that carry finished vehicles, has successfully completed pilot runs carrying pallets […]
While hard-hit transit agencies are struggling to find money to keep trains running and undertake construction projects, a Canadian entrepreneur believes he has a new solution. Steve Ostrowski says he’s “in the good idea business.” He’s started companies and developed products ranging from snowmobile shock absorbers to deck awnings, and now he wants to reinvent […]
Wednesday afternoon rail news: Pittsburgh-area railroad expands rail shipping options Allegheny Valley Railroad, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Carload Express Inc., received its first rail shipments at its new Glenwood Transload Terminal in Pittsburgh earlier this month. “We are excited to offer this new service to Pittsburgh and look forward to providing continued support for the […]
MONTREAL – Technology and carbon footprint gaps between Class I railroads eventually could be a catalyst for a merger of two of the big North American rail systems, Canadian National CEO JJ Ruest says. Any merger involving two of the big six Class I systems would have to address competition issues through reciprocal switching or […]
Tuesday morning rail transit news: Charlotte unveils preliminary Silver Line light rail plan, sets meetings Charlotte’s transit agency has unveiled initial plans for its 26-mile Silver Line light rail project, and is beginning a series of six public meetings to address the potential route. WCNC-TV reports the Charlotte Area Transit System project aims to be […]
CN derailment in West Chicago, Ill., disrupts Metra, UP operations A derailment on Canadian National near its diamond crossing of Union Pacific in West Chicago, Ill., is disrupting traffic on Metra’s UP West line, as well as Union Pacific trains. Metra has canceled some UP West trains earlier this morning, has been busing passengers between […]
Port Authority releases draft environmental report on Newark AirTrain The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has released the Draft Environmental Assessment for the project to build a new AirTrain system at Newark Liberty International Airport, beginning the 30-day period for public comment. The project, expected to cost about $2 billion, will build […]
ARCADIA, Ind. — John D. Horachek, former employee and long-time student of the Chicago North Shore & Milwaukee interurban line, died Feb. 5. He was 80. Horachek worked for the North Shore as a trainman, conductor, and motorman until the line shut down on Jan. 20, 1963. He was part of the crew on the […]
