World’s first hydrogen trains enter regular passenger service

Blue and white two-car passenger train at station in Germany

BREMERVORDE, Germany — The world’s first hydrogen-powered trains in regular passenger service are now in operation, having begun service July 25 on a German regional rail line between Cuxhaven and Buxtehude, via Bremervörde. Bremervörde is around 40 miles southwest of the city of Hamburg. The initial service is being billed as “preliminary,” in case operating […]

Read More…

FTA announces funding for transit-station accessibility projects

Federal Transit Administration logo

WASHINGTON — The Federal Transit Administration will provide $1.75 billion to fund accessibility improvements at U.S. transit systems, using money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the agency announced today, with $343 million to be offered through a new notice of funding availability. The All Stations Accessibility Program will retrofit subway stations to provide elevators or […]

Read More…

‘Unintentional’ move of MBTA train causes commuter delays

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority logo

BRAINTREE, Mass. — A Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority rapid-transit trainset rolled out of a storage yard and onto station tracks after an operator lost control, disrupting Monday morning Red Line rush hour operations, the Boston Globe reports. The incident at the Braintree station occurred about 5:30 a.m. and led to delays of up to 30 […]

Read More…

Catenary damage from storm disrupts Ottawa light rail system

ottawa_o_train

OTTAWA — Damage to sections of catenary from a lightning strike led to disruption of light rail service on the O-Train Confederation Line on Monday, and the problems will take several days to repair, OC Transpo’s general manager has told city council members. The Ottawa Citizen reports catenary wires were downed between the uOttawa and […]

Read More…

The Chief enters Chicago

Santa Fe Railway Chief in Chicago

Santa Fe’s all-Pullman Chief from Los Angeles has just passed through the busy interlocking at 21st Street, Chicago, as it nears the end of its run at Dearborn Station in October 1950. Wallace W. Abbey photo […]

Read More…

New study makes case for Peoria-Chicago passenger service

Short passenger train with red and yellow E-unit diesel passes small station

PEORIA, Ill. — Officials from Peoria and nearby communities have announced results of a feasibility study for a Chicago-Peoria passenger rail corridor over former Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific tracks that last saw passenger trains in 1978. The clear intent of last week’s announcement is to compete for $1.8 billion in the Federal Railroad Administration’s […]

Read More…

Ontario Northland train visits southern Ontario for TV production

Blue and yellow passenger equipment on bridge

An Ontario Northland Railway passenger train is working its way back to Cochrane, Ontario, after several days use in filming of the Hulu TV series “The Handmaid’s Tale,” which has been shooting at locations around Southern Ontario. Filming occurred on GIO Rail’s Trillium Railway July 20-23, with the train initially parked at the Ceres Global […]

Read More…

Axle issue sidelines Ottawa light rail equipment (updated)

Red and white light rail trainset in station

OTTAWA — After a new problem involving wheel hubs led to light-rail vehicles being removed from service Saturday on the troubled O-Train Confederation Line, much of the line has been shut down today (Monday, July 25) because of what the agency OC Transpo is calling “a technical issue.” Bus service is being substituted between the […]

Read More…

Yosemite Valley train at El Portal

Yosemite Valley Railway at Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Valley Railway 4-4-0 No. 22 stands with a short train at El Portal, end of the line and gateway to Yosemite National Park, in 1940. YV ran 78 miles west to SP and Santa Fe connections at Merced, Calif.; its last run was in 1945. Harre W. Demoro photo […]

Read More…