CAHSRA settlement reverses action of Trump administration The U.S. Department of Transportation has reached an agreement with the California High Speed Rail Authority to reinstate $929 million in grant funds revoked by the Trump administration. The agreement, dated June 10, stipulates the return of the funds within three days. “This settlement agreement follows intensive negotiations […]
Type of Train: Passenger/Transit
Fun-size railroading
Fun-size railroading Buffalo Creek & Gauley motorcar B shows off rear door, two backup lights, and a coupler. The West Virginia short line connected with the Baltimore & Ohio Dundon. James R. Greene photo […]
Grand Private Car Tour of the US set for September
WAUKESHA, Wis. — Tickets are still available for a scenic, luxury around-the-country private car tour this September. This 18-day multi-state tour starts in Chicago on September 9, ends in New York City on September 26, and is expected to be among the first post-pandemic private varnish tours offered to the public. It features long-distance train […]
Digest: Metra to add service on all lines in July, releases new schedules for four lines
First of new Metra schedules increase emphasis on off-peak service; more to come With ridership gradually increasing, Chicago’s Metra announced plans to add service on all lines in July and has released pilot schedules on four lines that will increase off-peak service. The new schedules, available here, are effective on the UP North, BNSF, and […]
Digest: State legislators balk at proposed realignment of New York MTA leadership
Nomination of Feinberg as MTA chairwoman in jeopardy as legislators balk at plan New York legislators have indicated they will not vote on a proposal that would make Sarah Feinberg, the current interim president of New York City Transit, the new chairwoman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board. The New York Times reports the legislature […]
Brightline CEO urges more private investment in high speed rail
MIAMI — Brightline CEO Michael Reininger is more optimistic than ever about the prospects for high speed rail in the United States but wants to see more opportunities for the private sector to get involved. In building the Brightline Florida system, the company accessed private activity bonds, which are tax-exempt bonds issued by city or […]
Analysis: Lengthened Crescent schedule diminishes its usefulness
ATLANTA — As of this week with its return to daily departures from New York and New Orleans, the schedule for Amtrak’s Crescent has been lengthened. This is “to improve customer satisfaction and on-time reliability,” according to a service change advistory. But the adjustments, especially for the northbound train, threaten historically strong patronage on the […]
Digest: Amtrak relaunches USA Rail Pass with $299 special
Amtrak offering USA Rail Pass at $200 savings Amtrak is relaunching its USA Rail Pass by offering the 10-ride pass for $299 through June 22, a savings of $200 over the regular price. The electronic pass allows up to 10 segments of coach travel in a 30-day period; trips involving a connection will count for […]
New York MTA changes see Feinberg nominated as board chair, Lieber appointed CEO
NEW YORK — Sarah Feinberg has been nominated as board chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Janno Lieber has been appointed as the agency’s CEO to fill positions to be vacated by the departure of Patrick J. Foye. Foye, who has been MTA president, chairman, and CEO for four years, will depart July 30 […]
Digest: Florida county makes deal on crossing upgrades, ends suit against Brightline
Indian River County ends Brightline lawsuit, reaches agreement on $31.6 million in crossing improvements Longtime Brightline opponent Indian River County, Fla., has agreed to drop its lawsuit against the passenger service over grade crossing improvements along the Florida East Coast rail line used by the passenger carrier. WPBF-TV reports the agreement calls for cooperative efforts […]
Lonely Rock Island
Lonely Rock Island An inbound Rock Island commuter train arrives at the mostly vacant LaSalle Street Station on Dec. 27, 1972. The Chicago skyline shown here is drastically different from what visitors today would see. Denny Hamilton photo […]
Digest: Wabtec begins operations at facility for additive manufacturing, 3D printing
Wabtec opens facility at Pittsburgh additive manufacturing process Wabtec has begun operations at Pittsburgh’s Neighborhood 91, becoming the first and anchor tenant for industrial complex devoted to additive manufacturing and 3D printing. The 11,000-square-foot facility will produce brake parts, heat sinks for locomotives, and other components. It is part of a company effort to produce […]
