Empire Builder on the Stone Arch Bridge

20101112

Great Northern’s Chicago–Seattle/Portland Empire Builder is seen on the Stone Arch Bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis in a 1929 publicity photo. Amtrak’s Empire Builder does not use this bridge, which, though preserved as a landmark, has been devoid of tracks for years. GN photo […]

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BNSF main line reopens in Arizona

BNSF Railway logo

TOPOCK, Ariz. — BNSF Railway has reopened its Southern Transcon main line near the Arizona-California state line following a Wednesday derailment, the railroad said in a customer advisory today (Saturday, March 18). That derailment occurred about 7:40 p.m. Wednesday near Topock, about 11 miles southeast of Needles, Calif., on the Seligman Subdivision. It involved eight […]

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SEPTA ‘pauses’ work on King of Prussia rail project

Map showing proposed four-mile branch off SEPTA Norristown line to King of Prussia, Pa.

PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has halted work on its plan to build a 4-mile spur of the Norristown High Speed Line to King of Prussia, Pa., after the project failed to receive funding from the Federal Transit Administration. SEPTA said in a press release that it was “pausing the King of Prussia […]

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Streamliner harbor

20100928

A World War II-era view at Chicago & North Western’s 40th Street coach yard in Chicago shows four streamliners. From left: C&NW’s Twin Cities 400, the C&NW-UP City of Denver, the C&NW-UP City of Los Angeles (apparently coupled behind C&NW E3 5001B), and the C&NW-UP-SP City of San Francisco. C&NW photo […]

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NJ Transit joins partnership to bring transportation training center to Rutgers

NJ Transit trains meet at Elizabeth, N.J., in August 2019

NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit, the Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation, and the International Association of Public Transportation, or UITP, on Thursday announced a partnership to establish UITP’s first North American Regional Training Center at Rutgers. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said state residents “will reap massive benefits” from the partnership. “By hosting […]

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Amtrak launches ultra-low-fare promotion on Northeast Corridor

Train in rain

WASHINGTON — Amtrak is now offering late-night and early-morning fares ranging from $5 to $20 on portions of the Northeast Corridor under a “Night Owl Fares” promotion announced Thursday. The coach fares are good for travel between Washington, D.C., and New York only, for select departures between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. More information, including […]

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Brightline introduces new airport, Miami Beach shuttles

Yellow van on road

MIAMI — Brightline has added to its first- and last-mile service for passengers, Brightline+, by launching fixed-route shuttles to and from Miami International Airport, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, and three locations in Miami Beach. In other news, the passenger operator announced a new deal for transportation for events at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, as well […]

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Metra to launch expanded service on UP Northwest Line

Amtrak pulling into a station

CHICAGO — Metra will expand service on its UP Northwest Line as of Monday, April 3, increasing operations beyond pre-pandemic levels by adding 12 weekday trains. The new schedule will provide service at least every 30 minutes during morning and evening rush hours, and hourly service during off-peak periods. It will increase service to 78 […]

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MBTA lifts blanket speed restriction on Mattapan Trolley Line

Orange PCC streetcar at station

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has lifted its 25-mph speed restriction on the Mattapan Trolley Line, leaving the Green Line as the only transit route still under a blanket speed restriction. The agency announced the change Thursday on Twitter. The Mattapan Line is still subject to restrictions at specific locations The MBTA briefly instituted […]

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Alstom signs contract to operate, maintain Newark AirTrain

Monorail trains meet

NEWARK, N.J. — Alstom has signed a seven-year contract to operate and maintain the AirTrain system at Newark Liberty International Airport, the company announced Thursday. The deal with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the airport, valued at about $265 million (announced as €240 million by Alstom), runs through January 2030 […]

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UP’s Coast Line again shut down by storm damage

Passenger train on trestle near Pacific Ocean

WATSONVILLE, Calif. — For the second time this winter, Amtrak has been forced to halt Coast Starlight service for an extended period in the wake of weather-related damages to Union Pacific’s Coast Line. Following a fierce winter storm that made landfall on Friday, March 10, a 74-year-old earthen levee along the Pajaro River in Monterey […]

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BNSF train derails in Arizona

BNSF Railway logo

TOPOCK, Ariz. — Derailed cars of BNSF Railway train that derailed Wednesday night were carrying corn syrup, the railroad reports, correcting initial reports from the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office that hazardous materials were on board. CNN reports that BNSF spokeswoman Lena Kent told the news network that the derailment occurred about 7:40 p.m. near the […]

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