SEATTLE — Rail-passenger advocacy group All Aboard Washington has issued a call for the Washington State Department of Transportation, Amtrak, and Sound Transit to reopen the Point Defiance Bypass and add Amtrak Cascades trains on the Seattle-Portland corridor “as soon as possible.” All Aboard Washington acknowledged it has a special interest in the subject, and […]
Type of Train: Passenger/Transit
RailSmith N scale Tippecanoe Rapids sleeper

RailSmith N scale Tippecanoe Rapids sleeper The partitions and seating arrangements match prototype plans. Pennsylvania RR N scale modelers can now add an accurate re-creation of Pullman-Standard (PS) sleeper Tippecanoe Rapids to their passenger car rosters thanks to Lowell Smith’s Signature Series of RailSmith cars. The prototype. As part of its post-World War II modernization […]
Engineer sues Amtrak over fatal ‘Cascades’ derailment NEWSWIRE

The engineer in the fatal December 2017 Amtrak Cascades derailment in suing Amtrak, alleging he was not properly trained. Steve Carter TACOMA, Wash. — The engineer at the controls of an Amtrak train involved in a fatal Washington state derailment in 2017 has sued the passenger railroad, alleging that he was not properly trained. On […]
Kansas Legislature committee discusses Amtrak ‘Heartland Flyer’ extension NEWSWIRE

Amtrak’s southbound Heartland Flyer arrives at Norman, Okla., on June 13, 2015 Bob Johnston The Ways and Means Committee of the Kansas Legislature meets to discuss the extension of Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer from Oklahoma City to Newton, Kan. Evan Stair TOPEKA, Kan. — The Ways and Means Committee of the Kansas State Legislature met Jan. […]
Mobile, Ala., support for Amtrak service remains uncertain

MOBILE, Ala. — Resistance to helping fund Gulf Coast Amtrak service remains among Mobile City Council members ahead of an expected Jan. 28 vote on a financial commitment by the city. Earlier this week, a three-member council finance committee failed to recommend support for a resolution which would commit the council to provide money toward […]
MTA approves study of passenger service on freight-only Long Island branch NEWSWIRE

New York & Atlantic Railway’s Fresh Pond Yard, as seen from a cab of an NY&A locomotive. The MTA is funding a study of passenger service on the current freight-only Bay Ridge branch served by the NY&A. That line uses the bridge at center. TRAINS: David Lassen The MTA will study the possibility of passenger […]
MTA committee updated on subway technology, construction NEWSWIRE

A New York City Transit R156 diesel-electric, an 800-hp locomotive built by MotivePower in 2013, leads a short work train at the Grand Central Terminal station for the 42nd Street Shuttle. Work continues on modernization of the shuttle route and adjacent subway stations. Ralph Spielman NEW YORK — New subway technology was in the spotlight […]
NYC Transit president Byford resigns (updated)

NEW YORK — Andy Byford, the president of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s subway and bus agency, New York City Transit, has resigned. Politico first reported the resignation, which was confirmed at the beginning of today’s MTA board meeting. In a statement, Byford said, I’m very proud of what we have achieved as a team over […]
Amtrak’s new Alstom-made Acela trainset moves in Hornell, N.Y. NEWSWIRE
From Amtrak: “They grow up so fast! Amtrak’s new Acela fleet, set to enter service in 2021, continues its progression at Alstom’s facility in Hornell, NY, and the first train, out of 28 trainsets, will be moving to Pueblo, CO in mid-February for further testing. This video shows off the new trains in action, highlighting […]
End of the line for Philadelphia’s PCCs? Not so fast, says SEPTA NEWSWIRE

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s last regular PCC line, Route 15 on Girard Avenue in Philadelphia will be streetcar free for at least two years starting Jan. 25. PCC car No. 2322 is seen here in February 2008. Scott A. Hartley PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is replacing its fleet of Presidents’ Conference Committee […]
Governor says there will be no NJ Transit fare increase in 2020 NEWSWIRE

A New York-bound NJ Transit Northeast Corridor train arrives at Princeton Junction, N.J., in August 2019. New Jersey’s governor says there will be no NJ Transit fare increase in his new budget. TRAINS: David Lassen KEARNEY, N.J. — NJ Transit will not increase fares in 2020, Gov. Phil Murphy said Tuesday, marking the third year […]
Metro-North reports PTC advances, ridership survey results NEWSWIRE

An inbound Metro-North train with M8 equipment pauses at 125th Street on Dec. 28, 2019. The New Haven line, which uses the M8s, will be one of the last segments of the Metro-North to place positive train control in operation. NEW YORK — Metro-North will cut in positive train control for Extended Revenue Service Demonstration […]