Milwaukee Road streamlined 4-6-4 No. 102 leads a Minneapolis-bound Hiawatha out of Chicago at Western Avenue in March 1949. Retirement is just a year away for the sleek greyhound. Harold Stirton photo […]
Hudson on the Hiawatha
Type of Train: Passenger/Transit
Coaster commuter rail to offer free rides for 30th anniversary
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego-area Coaster commuter rail service will celebrate its 30th anniversary by offering free rides this Thursday, Feb. 27. The service launched on Feb. 27, 1995, offering six trains during the morning commute and six in the evening. It has grown to include 15 round trips weekdays (with a 16th on […]
Funds for Pennsylvania rail projects caught in federal spending uncertainty
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s transportation secretary said last week he’s “hesitant to go forward” with projects awarded federal funding — including one to increase capacity for an additional round trip of Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian — in light of the uncertain status of those funds under the Trump Administration. “Funds that were discretionary awards, that haven’t been […]
Ohio Rail Experience announces 2025 schedule
LEBANON, Ohio — Cincinnati Scenic Railway’s Ohio Rail Experience has announced its 2025 tour schedule, marking the return of a series of excursions last held in 2022. Trips — operated in partnership with local historical societies, the Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad, and the Cincinnati Railway Co. — will run on six different routes are planned […]
STB chairman updates efforts to address long-running proceedings
WASHINGTON — Surface Transportation Board Chairman Patrick Fuchs — who has indicated a desire to have the board address matters more quickly, as well as be more transparent — today (Feb. 21, 2025) offered updates on six long-running proceedings, one of which dates to 2009. The matters in question are: — An abandonment request from […]
Amtrak extends current Empire Service schedule through April 27
NEW YORK — Amtrak has extended its current level of Empire Service between New York City and upstate New York through April 27, the company has announced. The current schedule, available at the Rail Passengers Association website, was put in place Dec. 2, 2024, and had been slated to last through March 2. The schedule […]
Driver of fire truck cited for collision with Brightline train
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — The firefighter driving a Delray Beach fire truck when it was hit by a Brightline train has received a non-criminal traffic citation following an investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. WPEC-TV reports the driver of the truck, David Wyatt, was issued the citation because he did not use “due […]
FRA to examine California high speed project
LOS ANGELES — California’s high speed rail project, long in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump and his top advisor, billionaire Elon Musk, will be the subject of a compliance review, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said today (Thursday, Feb. 20). KABC-TV reports that Duffy said at a Los Angeles press conference that his agency is […]
Cancellations ease for VIA, Amtrak
After several days of significant cancellations, operations appear to be returning to normal for both VIA Rail Canada and Amtrak. Currently, VIA’s website and social media feed lists no cancellations today (Feb. 20) on the Windsor-Quebec corridor. VIA cancelled 19 trains on the corridor on Wednesday, Feb. 19, following 16 cancellations on Monday and 14 […]
Equipment issues improve for Sounder commuter service
SEATTLE — While schedule reductions for Sounder commuter trains continue, Sound Transit says Amtrak is working to accelerate the process a full restoration of service. In a Wednesday, Feb. 19, post on its information blog, The Platform, the agency says Amtrak has already completed more than half of the railcar work that was originally expected […]
Reading & Northern sets schedule for 2025 Pottsville excursions
PORT CLINTON, Pa. — The Reading & Northern Railroad has announced its 2025 schedule for excursions to Pottsville, Pa., with one such trip a month planned, beginning in May. The Pottsville trips, from Reading Outer Station, feature the Pottsville Outdoor Market, featuring fresh produce, specialty food and beverages, and local arts and crafts; the Yuengling […]
NJ Transit set to restore Raritan Valley service
NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit will resume regular commuter rail service on its Raritan Valley Line on Thursday, Feb. 20, the agency said today (Feb. 19). NJ Transit operations on the line were disrupted on Tuesday when a Norfolk Southern intermodal train derailed in Union, N.J., on Conrail Shared Assets Operations trackage also used by […]
