Fast-charging technology of Britain’s Vivarail finds buyer

Former London subway equipment converted for intercity use

The insolvency administrators trying to sell Vivarail, the British passenger train re-manufacturing company previously backed by Pittsburgh-based Railroad Development Corp., have succeeded in selling the company’s innovative fast battery-charging system. That system, called FastCharge, which will be tested in passenger service in London later this year. Vivarail was founded in 2013 by British rail industry […]

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Metra faces delay in plan for battery conversion of F40s

Locomotive rounds curve at station

CHICAGO — Metra’s plan to convert at least three of its oldest F40PH-3 diesel locomotives to battery power is on hold after the commuter operator was “not able to secure an agreement” on a contract, Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski said Friday. Derwinski, responding to a question during a joint presentation with South Shore President/General […]

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Brightline receives last of its Siemens trainsets (with video)

Two locomotives and passenger trainset arrive at maintenance facility

ORLANDO, Fla. — Brightline has received the last of the 10 trainsets for its Florida operation, and the last of the five ordered for its upcoming expansion of service to Orlando. The “Bright Orange 2” train arrived at the company’s Vehicle Maintenance Facility in Orlando on Sunday, Feb. 19, after a 10-day trip from the […]

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Transport Canada defining process to narrow field of potential High Frequency Rail developers to three

Man speaking at podium in front of locomotive

OTTAWA — Transport Canada is defining the process to “qualify and identify” no more than three private firms to participate in the Request For Proposals to develop the Quebec City-Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto “High Frequency Rail” passenger corridor, the agency announced Friday, Feb. 17. The announcement the agency is working to define the Request For Qualifications protocols as […]

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MBTA pulls Orange Line train from service after door incident

Rapid transit train operates on open-air track with city skyline in distance

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has removed one of its new Orange Line trains from service after a passenger was momentarily able to open a car door while the train was in motion, the Boston Globe reports. It’s the latest incident involving the new rapid-transit cars built by Chinese manufacturer CRRC at the […]

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Amtrak named to Forbes list of America’s Best Large Employers

Passenger train on middle of three tracks during snowfall

WASHINGTON — Amtrak has been named as one of America’s Best Large Employers in a Forbes survey, which identifies the top 500 companies with 5,000 or more employees. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with 15,722 employees, topped the Forbes list. The ranking is based on a survey of about 45,000 workers at such companies, who […]

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NJ Transit engineers say they are prepared to strike over wages

Train pulling up to the station

NJ Transit locomotive engineers are prepared to leave the transit agency or strike over the latest wage offer, NJ.com reports, with the general chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen saying the union is “at a de facto” impasse with management after three years of talks. The union says its comparison of pay […]

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Metra board approves new five-year strategic plan

Commuter train passes interlocking tower in golden afternoon light

CHICAGO — The Metra board of directors has approved a new five-year strategic plan that aims to address the commuter rail system’s post-COVID challenges and set goals for its evolution to meet those challenges The 2023-27 plan, “My Metra, Our Future,” approved at Wednesday’s meeting, notes the need to adapt with ridership that currently is […]

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