WASHINGTON — Twenty-four Democratic members of the House of Representatives have called for inclusion of the North Atlantic Rail Corp., a $105 billion plan for widespread rail improvements in the northeast, in the surface transportation bill introduced last week by House Democrats. North Atlantic Rail would create a new high-speed replacement for much of the […]
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has identified the primary causes of the March 16, 2021, derailment of an Orange Line train near Wellington station in Medford, Mass, deputy general manager Jeffrey Gonneville said during Monday’s meeting of the board which oversees the MBTA. The slow-speed derailment led the agency to remove from service […]
At least 40 dead after passenger train derails, is hit by another train in Pakistan At least 40 people are believed dead after a rail accident today in southern Pakistan. The BBC reports the accident in Sindh province saw one train derail onto an adjacent track, where it wsas then hit by a second train. […]
WASHINGTON — Democrats on the House of Representatives’ Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Friday proposed a $547 billion plan including $109 billion for transit and $95 billion for rail, with $32 billion for Amtrak. The rail portion of the group’s Invest in America Act also includes funding for corridor planning and high speed rail development, […]
Illinois EPA seeks action on tank car incident in Wood River, Ill. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency said it has asked the state’s Attorney General’s Office to pursue legal action against the Phillips 66 refinery in Roxana, Ill., over the venting of sulfuric acid from four tank cars in Wood River, Ill., that began last […]
Scenic wonder Curved windows along the edge of the roof give the Santa Fe’s Hi-Level lounges, a signature of the all-coach El Capitan, a bright, airy feeling. A smaller lounge-buffet is on the lower level. Budd Co. photo […]
WASHINGTON — Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn says the company opposes CSX Transportation’s acquisition of New England regional Pan Am Railways, saying the deal in its current form “represents a significant threat to the American traveling public” and “will negatively impact current passenger train service and future routes in Massachusetts and Northern New England.” Amtrak has […]
Mississippi station museum director vows to rebuild following fire The executive director of the McComb (Miss.) Railroad Depot Museum says he is “encouraged” by what he has seen after viewing the interior of the station and museum, which was badly damaged by an arson fire on Sunday. WVUE-TV reports that executive director Ralph Price said […]
NEW YORK — Seven track inspectors for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority were suspended for allegedly failing to conduct inspections and falsifying reports, while the agency was criticized for its oversight of the inspectors, according to a report from the MTA’s Inspector General. The suspensions followed an 11-month investigation following incidents in which track debris fell […]
Legislation to create Front Range Passenger Rail District passes Colorado House The effort to create a special district to help fund proposed passenger rail service along Colorado’s Front Range neared success on Thursday as the state’s House of Representatives passed the bill on Thursday. Colorado Public Radio reports the state Senate has already approved its […]
ASLRRA honors 346 railroads for safety with Jake Awards The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association has honored 346 member railroads with its “Jake Awards,” recognizing safety performance above the industry average in 2020. Of those, 316 will be honored “with distinction” for injury-free performance based on Federal Railroad Administration standards. The honorees include […]
WASHINGTON — Amtrak will restore traditional dining-car service for sleeping-car passengers on its western long-distance routes as of June 23, with chef-prepared meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In a Wednesday press release, the passenger railroad promises “a redesigned menu,” new appetizers, and table service with glassware, cutlery and linen tablecloths, with ceramic dishware to […]
