WASHINGTON — Four state-supported Amtrak routes, Connecticut’s CTRail, and Florida’s Brightline will receive a total of more than $146 million for service improvements from the Federal Railroad Administration, the agency announced today (Friday, Jan. 10). The funding comes from the Restoration and Enhancement Grant Program. It was announced at the same time as FRA funding […]
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DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — Four members of the Delray Beach Fire Rescue Department have been placed on administrative leave while an investigation is conducted into the Dec. 28, 2024, incident that saw one of the department’s ladder trucks hit by a Brightline train. Also, the department said today (Jan. 3, 2025) that the three firefighters […]
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DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — The fire chief in Delray Beach has pledged that the collision between one of the city’s fire trucks and a Brightline passenger train will be “a moment from which we will learn and grow.” In a post today (Dec. 31, 2024) on the Delray Beach Fire Rescue Facebook page, Fire Chief […]
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DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — Fifteen people were injured when a Brightline train hit a fire truck in downtown Delray Beach today (Dec. 28, 2024), splitting the ladder truck into two parts. The collision occurred about 10:45 a.m. While initial reports placed it near East Atlantic Avenue — the main thoroughfare through downtown — and Railroad […]
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It was described at groundbreaking as the start of the United States high-speed rail industry. But arguably, the Brightline West project is the best hope for establishing true U.S. high speed rail. The April 22, 2024, groundbreaking ceremony in Las Vegas — on a lot south of the Las Vegas strip, next to Interstate 15, […]
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DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — Fifteen people were injured when a Brightline train hit a fire truck in downtown Delray Beach today (Dec. 28, 2024), splitting the ladder truck into two parts. The collision occurred about 10:45 a.m. near East Atlantic and Railroad avenues in the South Florida community; Atlantic Avenue is the main thoroughfare through […]
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The North American passenger rail landscape in 2024 included a number of service debuts, some so noteworthy that they earned a spot in the year’s top stories, which will appear through Dec. 31. But the overarching theme was continued growth punctuated by intermittent operating lapses. Leading the way with new ridership achievements — thanks, in […]
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STUART, Fla. — Martin County, Fla., has applied for a $45 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration for a proposed Brightline station in the Stuart, part of its ongoing effort to salvage a station proposal that the city of Stuart initially sought before withdrawing. The newspaper TC Palm reports the county submitted its request […]
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WASHINGTON — Although the California High-Speed Rail Authority faces stiff financial headwinds with Republicans capturing the presidency and both houses of Congress, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) told High Speed Rail Alliance webinar participants this week, “I’m not afraid to defend California High Speed Rail.” Moulton, along with U.S. Rep Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), introduced the […]
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New tricks Most of you know me from my career as a main line diesel locomotive engineer — a fair assessment. Deep down inside of me though, there lurks a little boy filled with awe and excitement for that American Flyer Pennsy K4, chugging around under my Christmas tree. I’m writing this from the relative […]
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MIAMI, Fla. — Passenger and commuter rail services in Florida are making plans to resume now that Hurricane Milton has passed through the state — although the storm has left significant damage in its wake. Amtrak, Brightline, and South Florida commuter operator Tri-Rail will all resume at least some service on Friday, Oct. 11 Tri-Rail […]
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Railroad lingo What is the railroad’s lingo? Utilized mostly by railroaders, it’s a way of speaking among co-workers that involves using railroad terminology, jargon, slang, or argot. Common lingo can vary from one group of individuals to another. Not born of this world, I’ve struggled to understand some of the language the railroad professionals use […]
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