FILLMORE, Calif. — Southern California short line and excursion railroad Fillmore & Western Railway will officially cease operations June 30, 2021. The current operators, Dave and Tresa Wilkinson, are retiring from the tourist railroad business after more than 30 years. They have successfully operated excursion trains, Mystery Dinner trains, and Santa Claus, specials among others. […]
JACKSONVILLE — Executives Mark K. Wallace, Kevin S. Boone, and Sean R. Pelkey will move into new roles in changes announced today by CSX Corp. Wallace, who had been executive vice president of sales and marketing, becomes executive vice president, a role focusing on special projects and initiatives supporting CEO James M. Foote. Wallace is […]
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 […]
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 […]
Intermodal is having a moment in the sun thanks to the impact of the pandemic. Consumers are buying goods faster than retailers can refill their shelves and warehouses, so imports are surging and ports are clogged. Parcel shipments are soaring as a decade’s worth of e-commerce growth was crammed into the past year. U.S. […]
CSX Transportation remains confident that it will receive regulatory approval to acquire New England regional Pan Am Railways despite two setbacks at the Surface Transportation Board. “We’re just in the early stages of seeking authority to complete the transaction from the Surface Transportation Board,” CEO Jim Foote told an investor webcast today. “And I’m confident […]
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 […]
Capitol Corridor increases service for the first time since June 2020 California’s Capitol Corridor Amtrak service will increase as of Monday, June 7, with San Jose-Sacramento service going from 16 to 22 trips daily, while Oakland-San Jose service will return to the pre-pandemic level of 14 trips daily. Also, the Richmond Standard reports, Café Car […]
WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic in May saw carload traffic at its highest level in more than 18 months, based on weekly averages, according to the latest press release from the Association of American Railroads. Overall, carload traffic in May 2021 was up 30.4% over the same month in 2020, while intermodal traffic was up […]
Rock Island resourcefulness The Rock Island converted an old flatcar to a ramp in Sioux Falls, S.D., in 1961. One truck and coupler is still in place (note the wheel stops on the track just to the right of the ramp). D. E. Winter photo […]
Missouri River Runner gets second round trip for remainder of year as of July 19 Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner will restore its second daily round trip as of July 19. State funding and federal coronavirus relief funds will maintain the two-round-trip schedule between St. Louis and Kansas City through the remainder of 2021. “We appreciate […]
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Light rail service in the San Jose area may be suspended for months as a result of last week’s mass shooting that left 10 Valley Transportation Authority workers, including the shooter, dead. That is the word from an agency spokeswoman, the San Jose Mercury News reports, as VTA determines how to […]
