Ringling Bros. Blue Unit makes last revenue load out NEWSWIRE

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Circus wagons are loaded onto flat cars in Charleston, W.Va., in preparation for the last circus train run to Uniondale, N.Y. Chase Gunnoe CSXT ET44AC No. 3333 will lead the last ‘Blue’ unit circus train to Uniondale, N.Y., form Charleston, W.Va. Here, Watco’s Kanawha River Railroad is switching the train in preparation for its outbound […]

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Passenger railroads in the U.S. and Canada

This special series offers an overview of intercity and passenger railroading in North America. Our free, 30-page PDF download includes the following features: Beech Grove to the Rescue  An inside look at Amtrak’s rolling stock repair facility, where an injection of stimulus funding has been used to repair passenger cars and sidelined P40 locomotives. Taking […]

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Amtrak begins new Thruway shuttle service to Phoenix NEWSWIRE

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PHOENIX — Beginning May 1, Amtrak began operating a Thruway bus connecting service in Maricopa, Ariz., for passengers traveling on the tri-weekly Sunset Limited-Texas Eagle service wanting to travel to the Tempe and Phoenix areas. Stagecoach Express is operating the shuttle service on the days the Sunset Limited operates through Maricopa. Thruway stops include: • […]

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Metra to allow pets on weekday trains NEWSWIRE

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CHICAGO — Metra’s policy of allowing passengers to bring small pets aboard trains on weekends and holidays has proven so successful and problem-free that the commuter rail agency is expanding the practice to weekdays. During a six-month test beginning May 1, Metra riders will be allowed to take pets in carriers aboard trains during off-peak […]

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Vermont solar panel company buys RDCs NEWSWIRE

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Williston, Vt. Google Maps WILLISTON, Vt. — In spite of a state report that downplayed the feasibility of commuter rail service in northern Vermont, a private company last week announced the purchase of 12 Budd Rail Diesel Cars with the intent to use them for commuter service between Montpelier, Burlington and St. Albans, Vt. AllEarth […]

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FRA chooses route for new NEC Baltimore tunnel NEWSWIRE

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Baltimore’s current rail tunnel alignment Federal Railroad Administration Baltimore tunnel project overview Federal Railroad Administration BALTIMORE — For Amtrak passengers in Baltimore, the Baltimore & Potomac Tunnel is like a jump back to medieval times. The train slows, tunnel walls close in, and take on the appearance of a dungeon, illuminated by occasional lights and […]

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SEPTA awards bid for Chinese bilevel commuter cars

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PHILADELPHIA – The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has awarded a $185 million contract for 45 new double-deck commuter cars to CRRC MA Corp., a Chinese-owned company with a new plant in Springfield, Mass., at a board meeting on March 23. Delivery of the cars will begin in 2019. The Chinese company underbid Bombardier, the other […]

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Metra to overhaul Nippon Sharyo-built commuter cars NEWSWIRE

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CHICAGO — Metra is starting the next phase of its in-house railcar rehabilitation program in which the agency will restore more than 300 Nippon Sharyo passenger cars. The bilevel commuter cars were delivered to the agency between 2002 and 2008. Metra workers plan to rehab about 35 passenger cars per year until 2020, when the […]

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VRE throttles back Gainesville, Haymarket expansion plans NEWSWIRE

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A southbound VRE commuter train arrives at Alexandria, Va., in August 2013. Alex Mayes ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Managers at Virginia Railway Express have decided to table further studies on extending commuter rail service to Gainesville or Haymarket in northern Virginia, Inside Nova reports. Instead, the agency is shifting its efforts on a rehabilitation of its […]

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NRE to overhaul Connecticut DOT commuter rail locomotives NEWSWIRE

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A Connecticut Department of Transportation GP40 leads a westbound Shore Line East train at Clinton, Conn. Scott Hartley MT. VERNON, Ill. — National Railway Equipment will overhaul six Connecticut Department of Transportation GP40-2H locomotives, according to an NRE press release. The release states that NRE will produce over 90 percent of the locomotive content in […]

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