•Ten major transit agencies are requesting $25 billion in federal aid to offset financial losses because of the coronavirus pandemic, as they begin to dip into emergency cash reserves to continue operation. The Washington Post reports that the agencies, led by New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, sent a letter to congressional leaders with the request, […]
Type of Train: Passenger/Transit
Remembering Clinchfield Railroad locomotives
Classic Trains editors are celebrating the heritage, history, and lore of famed (and infamous) railroads. In March 2020, we celebrate the Clinchfield Railroad. Please enjoy a collection of locomotive images located in the David P. Morgan Library archives at Kalmbach Media that include the Clinchfield’s iconic locomotives and classic scenic photos. You might also enjoy […]
Amtrak CEO tells employees of ridership drops, pay cuts, other plans NEWSWIRE
Washington-bound Acela Express No. 2159 flies through the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Mansfield, Mass., station at over 100 mph in June 2017. Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson told employees that one day last week, Acela ridership was down 99% from the same day a year earlier. Bob Johnston WASHINGTON — At a weekly “town hall” telephone […]
Trains News Wire Digest for Monday, March 23 NEWSWIRE
A TEXRail train passes the station at Grapevine, Texas. TEXRail and Trinity Railway Express service is being reduced as of today. Lance Lassen A roundup of Monday morning rail news: — Amtrak has suspended all Acela Express service on the Northeast Corridor, reflecting a dramatic drop in usage for America’s only high speed rail service. […]
News Wire Digest Second Section for Saturday, March 21 NEWSWIRE
More Saturday morning rail news: — The American Public Transportation Association has increased its request for emergency funding for public transit agencies to $16 billion from $12.875 billion, reflecting an estimated $14 billion in funding losses and $2 billion in direct costs including upgraded cleaning. “Without these funds,” APTA CEO Paul P. Skoutelas said in […]
News Wire Digest Third Section for Satiurday, March 21 NEWSWIRE
Dr. Josef Theurer Plasser & Theurer — Plasser & Theurer founder Dr. Josef Theurer has died, the track maintenance equipment firm has announced. Theurer, 91, died March 19. A holder of more than 1,000 patents, Theurer and Franz Plasser founded the company, which developed machinery to replace much of the manual labor in track maintenance, […]
Trains News Wire Digest for Saturday, March 21 (updated) NEWSWIRE
An LA Metro light rail train boards at LA Union Station. Metro has trimmed service with California under a “shelter in place” order. TRAINS: David Lassen A Saturday update on rail service changes and other responses to the COVID-19 virus. Because of the rapidly evolving situation, check with local service providers or Amtrak.com for the […]
Spying on SPUD
St. Paul Union Depot Co. Vice President and General Manager Harry P. Congdon looks out on a Chicago Great Western F unit from the top floor of the yard office. At the time, the station was busiest between 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. with 22 arrivals and 21 departures. Arthur F. Hager photo […]
Red River revealed
Great Northern inaugurated the Red River connecting Grand Forks, N.Dak., and points east on June 25, 1950, as a four-car train. This view shows the spotless new coffee shop in the train’s observation car. Great Northern photo […]
Southern Belle
Kansas City Southern’s flagship, the Southern Belle, is ready to depart New Orleans for Kansas City behind an EMD E6 in August 1950. The train, the first such direct service between the points, is the result of the railroad’s acquisition of the Louisiana & Arkansas in 1939. James G. La Vake photo […]
Century finale
Train 26, New York Central’s eastbound 20th Century Limited, pauses at Buffalo, N.Y., on its final run in December 1967. Edward J. Joscelyn photo […]
East Coast Champion
A blue lantern hanging by the pilot of E7 No. 539 at Florence, N.C., indicates that the train is not to be moved during its 5-minute station stop. William D. Middleton photo […]
