OTTAWA, Ontario — Following up on a policy announced in August, the Government of Canada has announced COVID-19 vaccinations will be required for passengers on VIA Rail Canada and Rocky Mountaineer trains, as well as those departing from Canadian airports, effective Oct. 30. There will also be a transition period when travelers in the process […]
Nadine Lee took her seat as president and CEO of Dallas Area Rapid Transit on July 12, 2021. She brings 30 years of experience in transit, most recently as chief of staff at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro). Prior to that, she was their deputy chief innovation officer, where she developed […]
TUCSON, Ariz. — A 16-year veteran of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has been identified as the victim in a shooting aboard Amtrak’s Sunset Limited on Monday in Tucson. The Arizona Republic reports that Michael Garbo was killed as agents were detaining 22-year-old Devonte Mathis after finding marijuana and other cannabis products in his backpack, […]
CHICAGO — A Chicago law firm has filed seven separate lawsuits against Amtrak and BNSF Railway on behalf of passengers injured in the Sept. 25 derailment of the Empire Builder, and says it will challenge an arbitration requirement added to tickets in 2019. A press release from the Clifford Law Offices says the firm obtained […]
Erie Limited The westbound Limited crosses the New York-Pennsylvania state line as it bridges the Delaware River at Mill Rift, Pa. An ordinary Pullman, not a fancy observation car with a tail sign, brings up the rear of the Erie’s unpretentious but comfortable flagship. Wayne Brumbaugh photo […]
TUCSON, Arizona — Police are investigating the circumstances behind a shooting this morning on board Amtrak’s Sunset Limited. A railroad representative confirms to Trains that the eastbound passenger train, destination New Orleans, arrived in Tucson, at 7:40 a.m. The representative says there was a “shooting incident” on board the train, though it is not clear […]
LOS ANGELES — Metrolink commuter rail service in south Orange County, and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner operations between LA and San Diego, were scheduled to resume this morning (Monday, Oct. 4) following the conclusion of emergency repairs to tracks near San Clemente, Calif. Service was halted Sept. 16 after a landslide pushed the rail line out […]
OTTAWA, Ontario — The Confederation Line, a 7.8-mile, 13-station light rail operation in Canada’s capital city — shut down since a Sept. 19 derailment — faces an extended closure as repairs from that derailment are made, investigations continue into the cause, and an independent consultant is brought in to develop a return-to-service strategy. The Ottawa […]
Hollywood Round windows marked the 1941 City of Los Angeles’s swank lounge car Hollywood. The train operated over Union Pacific and Chicago & North Western between its namesake city and Chicago. Classic Trains collection […]
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Birmingham and three Mississippi communities will receive Federal Railroad Administration funds from the Southern Rail Commission for station work in preparation for the resumption of Amtrak service between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala. Birmingham will receive $250,000, while Gulfport, Miss., will receive $246,500; Bay St. Louis, Miss., will receive $270,000; and Pascagoula, […]
ROCKHILL, Pa. — Rail entrepreneur Henry Posner wants to make passenger service more affordable and more available. He calls it Pop Up Metro, and to do it, he’s betting on batteries, remanufactured British multiple unit cars, and a bold business model to reduce the risk to potential rail operators. If it were anyone but Posner, […]
Hell Gate Bridge Having just crossed the 1,017-foot Hell Gate Bridge, Penn Central GG1 4913 begins the long descent to ground level with a Boston-bound Amtrak train in February 1973. Diesels will take over at New Haven. Victor Hand photo […]
