Amtrak, Metra end mediation; Union Station dispute to return to STB Mediation of Amtrak’s dispute with Metra over Metra’s lease at Chicago Union Station has ended with some issues still unresolved. In a letter to the Surface Transportation Board, representatives of STB and Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service said the two parties had met nine […]
Utah’s FrontRunner may be in line for double tracking, other improvements Utah’s budget situation looks better than expected for 2021, which may make room for a long-sought double-track project for FrontRunner commuter rail service. The Salt Lake Tribune reports improvements for the commuter operation include double-track segments between Ogden and Provo, which would allow trains […]
Broken rail caused 2019 derailment in Albert, Transportation Safety Board reports A broken rail was the cause of a September 2019 derailment of a Canadian Pacific train in Alberta which led to a spill of hazardous materials and a local evacuation, according to a report released Tuesday by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. The […]
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has delayed a vote on a much-criticized for budget cuts that would include significant service reductions and layoffs, deferring a presentation on the proposal for a week. The Associated Press reports MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak recommended the delay to the Fiscal and Management Control Board, citing developments of COVID-19 […]
Saturday morning rail news: Operator shortages curtail light rail service in Seattle, Tacoma With COVID-19 cases increasing, Sound Transit will temporarily reduce peak-hour service on its Link light rail lines as of Monday, Dec. 7, because of a shortage of operators. Trains will run every 12 minutes during peak periods; service during other times will remain unchanged. […]
OMAHA, Neb. — Major operational changes that have reduced Union Pacific’s costs are helping the railroad land new merchandise traffic, CEO Lance Fritz told an investor conference this week. Precision Scheduled Railroading is now “building into our DNA, into our culture” and will continue once outgoing Chief Operating Officer Jim Vena hands the reins to Senior […]
More Wednesday midday rail news: Investigation of DC Metro train separation finds loose bolts Preliminary investigation of a Nov. 24 incident in which a DC Metro train separated while in motion has found five bolts were loose on top of the coupler assembly at the point of separation. The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, in a […]
Fourth in a series WILLISTON, N.D. — The eastbound Empire Builder departed Portland, Ore., with a heavy contingent of travelers filling seats in the baggage-coach, mostly going to Pasco and Spokane, Wash. In the Superliner coach ahead, the lower-level seating carried patrons heading to at least a dozen destinations, ranging from Sandpoint, Idaho, to […]
Monday morning rail news: One injured when BNSF locomotives hit, derail coal hoppers One crew member was injured when a set of BNSF locomotives hit a string of empty coal hoppers Friday evening in Wellington, Colo. The Wellington Fire Protection District reports that the accident occurred at 8:22 p.m. at the Plate River Power […]
More Monday morning rail news: NJ Transit adjusts North Jersey Coast, Northeast Corridor schedules as derailment repairs continue The Nov. 24 derailment of an NJ Transit commuter train on the North Jersey Coast Line continues to alter schedules, with modified schedules beginning today for both the North Jersey Coast and Northeast Corridor lines. An […]
TORONTO — VIA Rail Canada trains began a two-day reroute onto Canadian National’s Halton Subdivision on Saturday, as the Metrolinx Oakville Subdivision used by GO Transit trains is closed for signal and plant upgrades through Nov. 29. In a rare opportunity for mileage collectors, VIA trains Nos. 71, 72, 75, and 78 are being rerouted […]
In a press release, the company says the new MG11 H2 machine is a variant on its MG11 milling train, developed for the smallest tunnel clearances and short work windows. That milling train used the latest generation of electric drive and milling technology, facilitating the conversion, and is capable of working a full shift on […]
