One of the Milwaukee Road’s six Skytop sleeper-observation cars brings up the rear of the Olympian Hiawatha near Francis, Mont., 100 miles east of Butte, in an early 1950s publicity photo. MILW photo […]
Olympian Hi in Montana
Type of Train: Passenger/Transit
SMART signs short-term deal for freight operator
PETALUMA, Calif. — Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit has made a short-term deal for a contractor operator for freight service while it prepares to launch an in-house freight operation. The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat reports the SMART board of directors on Wednesday approved a $395,000, three-month contract for Summit Signal to provide interim operation to customers currently […]
Brightline begins crew qualifications on route to Orlando (updated)
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The next chapter in Brightline’s plan to connect Miami and Orlando with modern intercity passenger trains began Tuesday with the first route familiarization runs for operating crews. Tuesday’s train made a round trip to Micco, Fla., which is midway between Melbourne and Vero Beach, Fla., and 90 miles north of […]
Never-used Talgo trainsets find buyer in Africa
MILWAUKEE — The long-orphaned Talgo trainsets built but never used for extended Hiawatha service to Madison, Wis., have finally found a home. In Nigeria. The website Urban Milwaukee reports Talgo will sell the equipment to the Nigerian government. According to a press release, it will be for a new 23-mile, 11-station commuter line in the […]
Indiana Senate to consider rail passenger bill
INDIANAPOLIS — A bill seeking to create a commission to explore increased passenger rail operations in Indiana will be heard in the state Senate this week, WXIN-TV reports. Senate Bill 13 would create a commission including representatives from the Indiana Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Adminstration, state General Assembly, and rail advocacy organizations. It would […]
A closer look at the impact of Amtrak’s cancellations — Analysis
Revised Amtrak long-distance service schedules, announced Jan. 14 WASHINGTON — When Amtrak cut back most of its long-distance trains from daily operation in October 2020, in anticipation of reduced demand and a lack of federal funds to keep its network intact, the only day a traveler from Florida could connect to the Capitol Limited or […]
Amtrak conductor killed in apparent fall from train
WESTERLY, R.I. — An Amtrak conductor died Saturday after apparently falling from a train while preparing for a station stop. WJAR-TV reports the 26-year-old woman was found dead along the tracks near the Westerly station after Northeast Regional train No. 163, bound from Boston to Washington, stopped because other crew members realized the conductor was […]
MARTA CEO dies when struck by train
ATLANTA — Jeffrey Parker, CEO of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, died Friday night. He was 56. Parker died by suicide, the agency said, when he was struck by a train at MARTA’s East Lake Station. “The MARTA Board of Directors grieves the shocking death of our GM/CEO Jeff Parker who has died by […]
VIA cuts corridor operations, citing COVID
MONTREAL — VIA Rail Canada will reduce service in its Quebec City-Windsor, Ontario, corridor beginning Jan. 19 because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the passenger carrier announced. “These decisions, while difficult, are consistent with the balanced approach we have maintained throughout the pandemic in order to fulfill our important public service mandate while […]
Sonoma-Marin commuter agency to keep freight service in house
PETALUMA, Calif. — The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit board has voted to for an in-house freight rail operation, while also planning to end tank-car storage that brings in some $500,000 annually. The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat reports the board elected to operate the freight service it gained by buying out contract operator Northwestern Pacific [see “Bay […]
Virginia, NS finalize agreement for New River Valley passenger service
RICHMOND, Va. — The Commonwealth of Virginia and Norfolk Southern have finalized an agreement to extend service to the New River Valley, outgoing Gov. Ralph Northam announced last week. The Roanoke Times reports the agreement will allow for a train between Roanoke and the New River Valley while preserving current freight service. As part of […]
California Zephyr on a detour
The California Zephyr shares dual-gauge trackage with a Rio Grande 2-8-0 at Salida, Colo., on June 18, 1951. The CZ shouldn’t be here on D&RGW’s Tennessee Pass line — it’s detouring around a washout on its regular Moffat Tunnel route. Bob Borcherding photo […]
