BRIENZ, Switzerland — The Brienz Rothorn Railway, a celebrated steam-powered tourist cog railway in central Switzerland, will be closed for the remainder of the 2024 season as a result of severe damage sustained in a storm on Monday, Aug. 12, the railway has announced. The railway normally operates from May to October. “Following a comprehensive […]
Read More…
HONOLULU — The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation has awarded Los Angeles-based contractor Tutor Perini Corp. a $1.66 billion contract for a 3-mile extension to the city’s Skyline light-rail system. The contract, which calls for six new stations and 3 miles of elevated rail line, is expected to be completed in mid-September, Hawaii News Now […]
Read More…
WASHINGTON — Nearly four years after new federal on-time performance standards went into effect, Amtrak is nearing agreements with BNSF Railway and Union Pacific for certification of disputed train schedules. Some 95% of Amtrak train schedules have been certified under the federal Metrics and Minimum Standards for Intercity Passenger Service rule, according to the latest […]
Read More…
An era of transition for Amtrak’s fleet is currently taking place. Since 2013, the intercity passenger railroad has been actively introducing new locomotives, rolling stock, and trainsets – and it shows no sign of slowing down with planned additions of the Avelia Liberty and Airo equipment. While we wait for both newcomers to hit the […]
Read More…
WASHINGTON — The first meeting of the Surface Transportation Board’s Passenger Rail Advisory Committee has been set for Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. at STB headquarters in Washington, the agency has announced. The 21 members of the board — selected from more than 90 applicants — include representatives of Amtrak, commuter rail agencies, state agencies, […]
Read More…
NEW YORK — The Federal Transit Administration this week issued a special directive ordering the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to address “an escalating pattern of safety incidents” regarding workers in the New York subway system, citing 38 near-miss incidents in 2023 in addition to a worker fatality in November 2023 and an incident involving a serious […]
Read More…
MIAMI — Recent ridership and revenue trends reveal that Brightline’s South Florida operation has settled into a consistent month-to-month pattern, with full-route travelers occupying seats vacated by West Palm Beach-Miami clientele at substantially higher prices. The information is contained in the recently released Florida Development Corp. “Preliminary Limited Remarketing Memorandum” announcing the availability of $985 […]
Read More…
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has ordered Union Pacific and Metra to enter mediation over their inability to reach financial terms on some aspects of a contract to continue commuter train service on three Metra routes using Union Pacific lines. In a decision issued Wednesday, Aug. 14, the board by a 4-0 vote granted […]
Read More…
Amtrak’s newest passenger equipment is now available in HO scale from Bachmann. Entering service in 2018, Siemens has already built more than 100 Venture cars for service with Amtrak, Brightline, and VIA Rail Canada. The company is also under contract to deliver more equipment to existing operators and Ontario Northland Ry. A modern prototype The […]
Read More…
MONTREAL — Canada’s labor minister has denied Canadian National’s request to intervene in contract talks with the union representing engineers and conductors. Last week CN asked Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon to send stalled contract negotiations to binding arbitration in order to prevent a work stoppage that would halt rail traffic in Canada beginning at 12:01 […]
Read More…
MADISON, Wis. — The Center for Railroad Photography & Art will receive the Kalmbach Media art collection, a total of 58 original paintings spanning the company’s history since its founding by A.C. Kalmbach in 1934. CRP&A Executive Director Scott Lothes announced the acquisition today after working closely with Kalmbach executives to find a permanent home […]
Read More…
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board will hear from more than three dozen participants during its two-day hearing next month regarding recent trends and strategies for growth in freight railroad traffic. The hearing, set to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 16 and 17 in the board’s hearing room, will be livestreamed on the STB’s […]
Read More…