Shasta Daylight The Oakland-bound Shasta Daylight rumbles over the big, curved trestle at Redding, Calif., in mid-1950. The Shasta was diesel-powered from its July 1949 launch. James L. Martin photo […]
‘Shasta Daylight’
Type of Train: Passenger/Transit
NTSB: MBTA light rail train was going 30 mph when it struck train ahead
WASHINGTON — National Transportation Safety Board investigators have determined that one Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority light rail train was traveling at 30 mph when it struck another train Friday in an accident that injured 25 people. In a press release, the NTSB said it had obtained information from the event recorder on the train that […]
‘California Zephyr’ route closed by Colorado mudslides
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. — Massive mudslides have washed out Union Pacific’s former Denver & Rio Grande Western route through Glenwood Canyon, east of Glenwood Springs, while also blocking part of adjacent Interstate 70. The slides not only have disrupted Amtrak’s California Zephyrs, which normally pass in the area between crew change points in Denver and […]
Feinberg steps down as interim head of New York City Transit
NEW YORK — Sarah Feinberg has stepped down after 17 months as interim president of New York City Transit, but she may not be finished with the parent Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Feinberg’s last day came Friday, a day after the former head of the Federal Railroad Administration first told the New York Post of her […]
MBTA light rail collision injures 25
BOSTON — The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate after one Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority light rail train rear-ended another Friday, July 30, injuring 25, including operators on both vehicles. The Boston Globe reports the accident occurred on the Green Line B Branch, on Commonwealth Avenue in front of the Boston University campus. The injured […]
Santa Clara VTA to resume bus service on light rail route
SAN JOSE, Calif. — With a date still to be determined for the restoration of light rail service, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is resuming alternative bus service along the light rail line as of today (Monday, Aug. 2). In a press release, the VTA said buses will operate at 30-minute intervals weekdays from […]
Rolling fortress
Rolling fortress With two big engines leading a dozen heavyweight cars into the desert, the Southern Pacific’s Sunset Limited looks like a rolling fortress at Palm Springs, Calif., sometime in the mid-1940s. Walter H. Thrall Jr. photo […]
Cumbres & Toltec restores full-route train ride option as of July 31
CHAMA, N.M. — The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad will resume full-length train rides on its 64-mile route between Chama and Antonito, Colo., as of Saturday, July 31, for the final portion of the 2021 season. For most of the season, COVID-19 restrictions have prevented the railroad from offering trips in which passengers ride the […]
Former LIRR conductor pleads guilty, pays fine for ticket scheme
NEW YORK — A former Long Island Rail Road conductor arrested earlier this year in which he allegedly pocketed tickets without punching them, then gave them to friends who used them for rides or cashed them for refunds, has pleaded guilty and paid a $1,000 fine. The New York Post reports Robert Anderson, 61, pleaded […]
Cab-forward conveyance
Cab-forward conveyance A puff of oil smoke hangs in the air over Truckee as AC 4-8-8-2 No. 4185 gets the westbound Overland moving after a station stop. In 6 hours, the train will arrive at Oakland Pier. Jim Morley photo […]
Seven passenger groups form coalition to push for Chicago-New York rail improvements
ERIE, Pa. — Seven passenger rail advocacy groups have formed a coalition to push for improved rail service between Chicago and New York City. The Erie Times-News reports the Lakeshore Rail Alliance will combine All Aboard Erie, All Aboard Ohio, the Empire State Passenger Association, the Chicago-based High-Speed Rail Alliance, the Indiana Passenger Rail Association, […]
GO Transit to expand service Aug. 7
TORONTO, Ontario — GO Transit will increase service on a number of routes as of Aug. 7, restoring trains suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as offering new services. The Lakeshore East and West lines, Kitchener Line, Barrie Line, and Stouffville Line will all see additional service, and some current bus service will […]
