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CHICAGO — Two key documents released by Amtrak last week — the schedule for triweekly operation of long-distance trains to take effect in October, and the benchmarks for restoration of those trains to daily operation — can, taken together, show how difficult it will be for trains to achieve the measurements necessary to increase service. […]
WASHINGTON — Amtrak’s top managers contend cutting long-distance operation to triweekly is a valid short-term money saving solution in the reduced ridership environment created by the COVID-19 pandemic, but also admit the company does not have specific plans to maintain daily operation if directed to do so by Congress. In an Aug. 6 Trains News […]
More Thursday morning rail news: Fire shuts down UP line in Colorado’s Glenwood Canyon, disrupts Amtrak service Operation of Union Pacific trains and Amtrak’s California Zephyr were disrupted Tuesday by a fire in Colorado’s Glenwood Canyon that shut down the former Denver & Rio Grande Western rail line through the canyon. The Glenwood Springs Post […]
Amtrak will phase in triweekly operation of its long-distance trains over a three-week period beginning Oct. 5, according to a message to employees obtained by Trains News Wire. Trains moving to triweekly schedules as of Oct. 5 are the California Zephyr, Capitol Limited, City of New Orleans, and Crescent. The Coast Starlight, Lake Shore Limited, […]
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 […]
Amtrak has released information on the measurements it will use to determine restoration of long-distance service after the service is cut to triweekly, which is currently planned for Oct. 1. The three metrics to be used are: — Public health: COVID-19 hospitalizations must be stable or declining as of Feb. 15, 2021. — Future demand: […]
First in a series WASHINGTON — Any savings Amtrak management may achieve by reducing most long-distance trains to triweekly service will be overshadowed by a precipitous drop in revenue, additional unforeseen expenses, and a crippled ability to restart service. That assessment is the consensus of former Amtrak managers contacted by Trains News Wire: former president […]
Downhill skiing buffs immediately think of the winter vacation destination (and site of the 1960 winter Olympics) in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains when “Squaw Valley” is mentioned. More than 50 years ago, the name Squaw Valley came to the mountains of Western North Carolina under entirely different circumstances. To set the stage, I was a […]
Thursday morning rail news: Kansas DOT proposes two-person crew requirement The Kansas Department of Transportation has proposed requiring two-person crews for trains operating in the state. The regulation proposed earlier this week would require two people in the cab of a train’s lead locomotive, with exceptions for switching, brake tests, safety inspections, and setouts. In […]
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 […]
Saturday morning rail news: TSB report cites CN crew error in sideswipe accident with VIA train The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has released its report on a September 2019 sideswipe collision between a VIA Rail Canada train and two tank cars in Ernestown, Ontario, finding that switching moves by a Canadian National crew caused […]
Do you know how to switch model railroad freight cars? Operations, once considered a quirky art practiced by few, has become commonplace on today’s model railroads. As interest in operations increases the need for “boomers” – operators, in other words – has also increased. Therefore you may find yourself pressed into service on a new […]
