Thursday morning rail news: NJ Transit cancels trains, expands PTC testing as deadline looms NJ Transit has expanded positive train control testing this week, cancelling dozens of trains in an effort to complete PTC installation by the end of the year — a deadline the Federal Railroad Administration says it is in danger of missing. […]
WASHINGTON — Just two commuter railroads — NJ Transit and New Mexico’s Rail Runner Express — are now considered at risk of not completing PTC implementation by the Dec. 31, 2020, deadline, according to the latest quarterly PTC update from the Federal Railroad Administration. Chicago’s Metra and TEXRail, the service between Fort Worth, Texas, and […]
Tuesday morning rail news: Study says extension of Twin Cities’ commuter rail service to St. Cloud could cost $36 million to $257 million A new feasibility study says it could cost anywhere from $36 million to $257 million to extend the Twin Cities’ Northstar commuter rail service from its current northern terminus in Big Lake […]
Monday morning rail news: Maryland set to take over Purple Line construction The state of Maryland will take over management of the troubled Purple Line light rail construction project if the current public-private partnership is dissolved, state transit officials said last week in a letter to subcontractors. The consortium that has been managing the project […]
Monday afternoon rail news: Work on bridge for high speed rail project stopped by errors Construction errors, along with possible design problems, have halted work on a major bridge for California’s high speed rail project in Central California, the Los Angeles Times reports. The bridge in Madera County, north of the town of Madera, will […]
Saturday morning rail news: Brightline severs ties with Virgin, will retain current name, image Florida passenger operator Brightline says it has ended its agreement with Richard Branson’s Virgin Enterprises and will retain its Brightline name and image, although Virgin may challenge termination of the two companies’ licensing agreement. Forbes reports that Brightline reported the move […]
CHICAGO – The Surface Transportation Board is declining to intervene in an ongoing dispute between Metra and Union Pacific – for now. In a decision published Wednesday, the STB is holding a decision on its jurisdiction in abeyance and has directed both parties to inform the agency of any rulings issued by the federal district […]
More Wednesday morning rail news: City wants ‘Pere Marquette’ route linked with other Michigan trains The St. Joseph (Mich.) City Commission has called for building a connection that would link the routes used by Amtrak’s Pere Marquette, Blue Water, and Wolverine service in New Buffalo, Mich. WJSM radio reports this would allow all the routes […]
Wednesday morning rail news: Amtrak adds business-class reserved seating on Acela Amtrak will offer reserved seating in business class on Acela trains beginning Monday, Aug. 3, expanding the seat-selection program that had previously been available only in first class. The feature also allows passengers a look at the overall occupancy rate of a train. As […]
Tuesday morning rail news: NJ Transit approves agreement to replace Portal Bridge, Northeast Corridor trouble spot An agreement to replace New Jersey’s infamous Portal Bridge on the Northeast Corridor is finally in place. NJ.com reports that the NJ Transit board of directors has unanimously approved an agreement with Amtrak, owner of the bridge, to replace […]
Monday midday rail news: Metra to add trains on Rock Island, BNSF lines Reflecting increasing ridership as the Chicago area reopens after COVID-19 shutdowns, Metra will add express trains to service on its BNSF and Rock Island lines next week, while schedules will be adjusted on two Electric District train. The new services will include […]
Classic Trains editors are celebrating the heritage, history, and lore of famed (and infamous) railroads. In July 2020, we celebrate the Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo. Please enjoy a collection of locomotive images located in the David P. Morgan Library archives at Kalmbach Media that include the TH&B’s iconic locomotives and classic scenic photos. […]
