The Southwest Chief passes through Hinsdale, Ill., on April 28, 2018. Amtrak’s CEO says the effort to maintain the train must be balanced against the need of the entire national network. TRAINS: David Lassen WASHINGTON — Responding to a letter from two major private-car organizations, Amtrak President and CEO Richard Anderson says the passenger railroad […]
The westbound Capitol Limited passes through Goshen, Ind., in March 2018. As of today, the train is one of two losing its full dining-car service. TRAINS: David Lassen TOLEDO, Ohio — Amtrak employee unions are calling on the passenger railroad to reinstate full dining-car service on two routes between the East Coast and Chicago, saying […]
An eastbound express Metra train, operating in push mode, pauses at Western Springs, Ill., on Sept. 10, 2009. You can see the engineer in the window of the cabcar. Paul Hoffmann Q What’s the difference in touch or feel for an engineer running in push mode versus pull mode? Is there a limit to the […]
With its UP cab signal-equipped leader removed, the business train heads east from Proviso Yard towards interchange with Norfolk Southern in Chicago. Mark Hinsdale CHICAGO – Union Pacific dispatched its business train from Council Bluffs, Iowa, eastward on Wednesday towards Croxton, N.J., via Chicago. The special, symbolled PCHCH3 30 departed early in the morning of […]
MONTREAL — VIA Rail Canada cancelled two departures of its flagship train, the Vancouver-Toronto Canadian, over the weekend, in an effort to recover after a westbound train fell almost two days behind schedule [see “‘Canadian’ trip facing epic delays,” Trains News Wire, May 25] Cancelled were the westbound train that was originally scheduled to depart […]
An Amtrak coach attendant helps a mother and child aboard the Coast Starlight at Albany, Ore., on Aug. 27, 2013. Bob Johnston WASHINGTON — In a meeting last week, Amtrak President and CEO Richard Anderson told the head of the Rail Passengers Association that the company “will continue to operate, and even selectively upgrade, what […]
Eight of these Stadler diesel multiple units will provide the equipment for BART’s 10.1-mile Antioch extension. Sam Richards BART passengers will transfer to and from the electric “legacy” cars at a special platform east of the Pittsburg-Bay Point station. Sam Richards ANTIOCH, Calif. — Bay Area Rapid Transit’s new 10-mile Antioch extension, the transit agency’s […]
TORONTO — VIA Rail Canada’s Canadian is notorious for delays. But a trip this week from Toronto to Vancouver is proving to be spectacularly late, even by VIA standards. The CBC reports that as of Thursday afternoon, the westbound Canadian was some 45 hours behind schedule, after leaving Toronto 26 hours late. While VIA has […]
Rebuilt F40PHM-2 No. 200 leads an outbound Metra BNSF train through Highlands in Hinsdale, Ill., on April 28, 2018. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — Metra has announced a kids-ride-free program through the summer months, with up to three children ages 11 and under able to ride free with an adult from Memorial Day through Labor […]
Brian Solomon’s Railway Guide to Europe By Brian Solomon Kalmbach Publishing Co.; 416 pages, softcover, 6 x 9 inches; $24.99. www.kalmbachhobbystore.com Reviewed by Bill Hough Planning a rail-oriented trip to Europe is challenging, since most travel guidebooks are written for a general audience and don’t necessarily contain specific information that a railfan would like to […]
Business car No. 2 rests at Scranton after the special 25th anniversary trip for the Delaware-Lackawanna short line. The car is in front of the former Delaware Lackawanna & Western station that is now a hotel. Greg McDonnell SCRANTON, Pa. — Comfortably seated on a traditional folding wooden chair on the rear platform of a […]
Joe Boardman stands with passenger rail supporters in Raton, N.M., in 2014. Bob Johnston ROME, N.Y. – “I’ve seen enough. I’ve heard enough,” explains former Amtrak President Joseph Boardman. Trains News Wire asked Boardman what prompted an email he sent early Tuesday and subsequently forwarded to elected officials throughout the country. “This is beyond common […]
