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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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, […]
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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 […]
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CHESTERTON, Ind. — The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District has approved purchase of materials for its planned South Shore Double Track project between Gary and Michigan City, Ind., as part of its effort to lower the cost of building the commuter railroad’s second main line. The Times of Northwest Indiana reports the board on Monday […]
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Department of Transportation has extended the deadline for negotiations with Brightline on a lease on its proposed Orlando-Tampa passenger route, which had been set for July 31. In a July 19 letter to Brightline President Patrick Goddard, Brad Thoburn, the state DOT assistant secretary, strategic development, cited “significant progress” in […]
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TRENTON, N.J. — A bill proposing reforms for management of NJ Transit has removed one of its key proposals, changing the way the agency’s board chair is selected. NorthJersey.com reports state Sen. Loretta Weinberg, majority leader and the bill’s sponsor, has dropped the requirement that the chair be selected by board members, instead of automatically […]
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Second of two parts. Part One is here. CHICAGO — An expanded menu selection and increased emphasis on food quality and preparation aren’t the only changes in Amtrak’s reinvention of dining car service on five western long-distance trains this summer. “They have made some really good choices,” observes Michael Provost, a Los Angeles-based server on […]
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First of two parts ABOARD THE SOUTHWEST CHIEF — A month after Amtrak revamped dining-car menus on the five long-distance trains that serve the West Coast — replacing pre-packaged meals in a bowl with freshly-prepared breakfasts, lunches, and dinners — it’s clear the company is aiming for a higher standard than what it previously offered. […]
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NEWINGTON, Conn. — As of today (Monday, July 26), the Connecticut Department of Transportation is adding service on its CTrail Hartford Line and Shore Line East rail services. Seven round trips are being restored on the Hartford Line after being eliminated in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Between Amtrak and CTrail service, there […]
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SANDUSKY, Ohio – A 3-hour-plus drawbridge failure on Sunday afternoon (July 25) halted movements on Norfolk Southern’s busy Chicago Line and stranded marine traffic on Lake Erie’s Sandusky Bay. The bridge, a 1929 double-track rolling Scherzer-type drawbridge at MP 248 between Toledo and Sandusky, Ohio, was initially stuck in an up position, observers reported. But […]
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