MIAMI — Commuter operator Tri-Rail will launch a weekday round trip from West Palm Beach to Brightline’s Miami Central beginning July 1 that will skip 11 stops all its other trains make. The move, announced after a South Florida Regional Transportation Authority board of directors meeting Friday, comes as Brightline discontinues its $399, 40-ride “SoFlo” […]
MOBILE, Ala. — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s office has been in contact with officials in Mobile about possible state involvement in the Gulf Coast passenger project, AL.com reports. Mobile officials expressed concern during a Monday meeting that the city, rather than the state, was being asked to provide funding for Amtrak’s effort to launch passenger […]
Just out of New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal, Kansas City Southern E8 leads the Southern Belle past Clara Street tower in 1954. The tower was situated between the terminal to the south and the coach yard and diesel shop to the north. James G. La Vake photo […]
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The city of Charlotte and Norfolk Southern have reached agreement for Charlotte to acquire NS’ O-Line route north of the city for use as a commuter rail line, WSOC-TV reports. An email from City Manager Marcus Jones informed officials in Mecklenburg County of the non-binding agreement on May 15; that email was […]
RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina’s Department of Transportation has announced that the state will run special passenger train to this year’s U.S. Open golf championship at Pinehurst, N.C. The “Open Express” train will run daily between Raleigh Union Station and the Pinehurst Clubhouse, near Pinehurst No. 2 golf course, during the June 13-16 tournament. The […]
MOBILE, Ala. — Members of the Mobile City Council remained focused on its potential funding obligation to support Amtrak Gulf Coast service at a Monday meeting with Amtrak representatives, WKRG-TV reports. Representatives of the passenger operator, as well as CSX, the Southern Rail Commission, and the Federal Railroad Administration were on hand for a meeting […]
EAST ORANGE, N.J. — Eight rail transit systems will receive a total of $343 million to modernize stations, improving access for passengers including those with disabilities and injuries, under grants announced today by the Federal Transit Administration. The grants, under the FTA’s All Stations Accessibility Program, were announced in an event at NJ Transit’s Brick […]
LaFOLLETTE, Tenn. — Cleanup continues after about 15 cars of a CSX Transportation freight train derailed Saturday after part of a bridge gave way, according to the city’s police chief. WATE-TV reports that LaFollette Police Chief Steve Wallen said the metal frame supporting the bridge had broken, leading to a derailment that destroyed about a […]
EMMETT, Ark. —Ten cars of a Union Pacific freight train derailed Saturday afternoon, May 25, at Emmett, Ark., about 7 miles northeast of Hope, Ark. The track continued to be blocked Sunday afternoon as crews worked to remove cars and repair the damage, according to spokeswoman Meg Siffring. A second train had derailed a day […]
New Orleans — The historic St. Charles streetcar line of the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is expected to receive a spark in additional improvements in its ADA compliance and handicapped accessibility. This will be possible with over $5 million in funding from a recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, recently announced by Congressman Troy […]
WASHINGTON — Beginning June 1, Amtrak plans to restore a dining car to the New York-New Orleans Crescent. However, initially only sleeping car passengers will be allowed to use it, and the food served will continue to be reheated “flexible” meals. As reported in the Rail Passengers Association’s weekly Hotline email, Amtrak senior leadership confirmed […]
NAPLES, Fla. — One firefighter was injured in a fire at a Progress Rail facility in Naples early this morning (Friday, May 17). WFTX-TV reports 16 people were in the building at the time the fire broke out, but all evacuated safely. Twenty fire units and 41 firefighters responded to the incident at a single-story […]
