WASHINGTON, D.C. — Some $138 million in funding is now available for transit agencies in Washington state, the first money coming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray announced, saying the state will receive $1.79 billion over the next five years. “These funds are critical to helping meet the ridership […]
Type of Train: Passenger/Transit
CSX seeks shipper support regarding proposed Amtrak Gulf Coast service (updated)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation aims to round up shipper support before a Surface Transportation Board hearing this month regarding Amtrak’s controversial quest to launch passenger service on the Gulf Coast. In an email to the railroad’s customers, CEO Jim Foote asked shippers to sign a petition or to write to the STB directly regarding […]
Study will look at possible light-rail line to Pro Football Hall of Fame
CANTON, Ohio — The transit agency serving Canton has hired a consultant to study building a light-rail line between downtown Canton and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Massillon Independent reports the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority has approved a contract with consultant WSP USA and envisions a six-month time frame for the study, […]
Meeting takes no action on possible California tourist rail line abandonment
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — The Santa Cruz County Transportation Commission took no action Thursday on a proposal to seek abandonment of a branch line that a tourist train operator said could doom its operation, instead instructing Executive Director Guy Preston to engage in further talks with Roaring Camp Railroads. Meanwhile, in a separate action Thursday, […]
California Coastal Commission seeks STB mediation in Del Mar Bluffs dispute
WASHINGTON — The California Coastal Commission is asking the Surface Transportation Board to order mediation in the long-running dispute between it, the city of Del Mar, Calif., and the North County Transit District over the transit agency’s plan to build a safety fence along its rail line on the Del Mar Bluffs. The transit district […]
Tesla buys German railway line, plans passenger trains
BERLIN — Electric vehicle maker Tesla, which is building a new “Gigafactory” east of the German capital, has bought the rail line connecting the site to the German rail network and plans to offer passenger trains timed for its employees shift changes. The short rail line — about 3 miles long — was bought from […]
Storm brings more Amtrak cancellations Thursday, Friday
Amtrak has added to its previously announced list of storm-related cancellations for today (Thursday, Feb. 3; see “Winter storm brings cancellations …,” Trains News Wire, Feb. 2, 2022), while also modifying schedules for trains in New England today and Friday and adding one Friday cancellation in the Midwes Added to the previously list of cancellations […]
Amtrak Inspector General’s report identifies issues in relationship with state operators
WASHINGTON — Three significant issues remain to address concerns by operators of Amtrak’s state-supported services over cost-allocation practices by the national passenger operator, according to a new report from the Amtrak Office of Inspector General. Concerns over these issues “affect [state agencies’] trust in Amtrak, with about one third telling the OIG they have low […]
‘Electroliner’ at night
One of the North Shore Line’s two Electroliner trains pauses at the North Chicago station on a southbound run one snowy night in the 1950s. William D. Middleton photo […]
First look: Siemens Venture coaches debut for Amtrak (updated)
CHICAGO — “Give yourself a big round of applause,” conductor Erik Newsom enthusiastically announced over the public address system of Amtrak train No. 303 as it left Chicago for St. Louis on Tuesday morning. “You’re the very first to ride Amtrak’s new Midwest cars!” Clapping followed, but that was the extent of the morning’s fanfare […]
Germany’s Deutsche Bahn unveils new 200-mph trains, orders 43 more
BERLIN — German national rail operator Deutsche Bahn formally launched its new Siemens-made “ICE3 neo” 200-mph high speed trainset on Tuesday at its Berlin Rummelsburg shop. Along with presenting the first of 30 Class 408 trains, which will enter service in December, DB CEO Richard Lutz announced an order for a further 43 trains, to be […]
Director of Florida’s Tri-Rail to resign
MIAMI — The executive director of commuter operator Tri-Rail has said he will resign in the wake of criticism over the agency’s handling of problems with the platform at Brightline’s MiamiCentral station, which is intended to also host Tri-Rail service. Steven Abrams announced his intent to resign at a board meeting last week, then told […]
