Thursday morning rail news: Environmental assessment finds no significant damage from BNSF derailment, fire An initial assessment of the site of Tuesday’s derailment and fire of a BNSF oil train in Custer, Wash., found no significant environmental damage, according to a Washington state official. The Bellingham Herald reports five cars caught fire after the seven-car […]
News Wire Top 10 stories of 2020: Nos. 2-4
Continuing the Trains News Wire countdown of 2020’s top stories: No. 4: The PTC deadline It was a long, expensive process, but the railroad industry has met the huge technological challenge of positive train control. When NJ Transit announced on Dec. 18 that its PTC system had been certified, it meant the last railroad considered […]
Carloads dip, intermodal still strong in latest rail traffic statistics
WASHINGTON — Carload traffic took a dip but intermodal strength kept overall rail volume above 2019 levels in the lastest release of weekly statistics from the Association of American Railroads. For the week ending Dec. 19, U.S. Class I railroads moved 230,838 carloads, down 5.8% against the same week a year earlier, while intermodal volume […]
Digest: Honolulu gets extension for federal rail funding
Still more Wednesday morning rail news: Honolulu gets extension for federal funds withheld because of rail system issues Honolulu has secured a year-long extension for $250 million in federal funding for its troubled light rail system, but must make enough progress in that year to earn the release of that money from the Federal Transit […]
Digest: BNSF train derails in Washington after hitting truck
More Wednesday evening rail news: BNSF train derails after hitting truck A BNSF train derailed near Mabton, Wash., after hitting a truck carrying farm equipment. KING-TV reports three locomotives and seven cars derailed in the accident at State Route 22 and Phillips Road on Wednesday morning. Some diesel fuel was spilled from two of the […]
Digest: Metro-North, Long Island Rail Road complete PTC implementation
Wednesday afternoon rail news: Metro-North, Long Island Rail Road complete PTC implementation The two commuter railroads of New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority have met the deadline for positive train control deadline. Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi and Long Island Rail Road President Phil Eng made the announcement today the MTA’s Mid-Day Storage Yard in Long […]
Digest: Investigation begins into BNSF derailment and fire
More Wednesday morning rail news: Investigation begins into BNSF derailment, fire Fires were under control but continuing to burn late Monday at the site of a BNSF oil train derailment in Custer, Wash., as a host of agencies began their investigation into the accident. The Bellingham Herald reports those on scene included representatives of the […]
Germany plans integrated national rail schedule for 2030s, multiple new high speed line
The German government, working with rail operators and regional governments, has unveiled ambitious plans to introduce a national rail timetable designed to make journeys faster for both passengers and freight by 2030. The standardized or regular-interval timetable — known in German as a Taktfahrplan, or just “Takt” — will offer intercity rail services between major […]
News Wire Top 10 stories of 2020: Nos. 5-7
Continuing the Trains News Wire countdown of the Top 10 rail stories of 2020: No. 7: Alstom purchases Bombardier Two of the major suppliers of passenger and transit equipment in North America and Europe are combining, with French-based Alstom purchasing the rail business of Montreal-based Bombardier Transportation. The deal, announced in February, creates the second-largest […]
Digest: Railroad associations granted exemption to trucking hours-of-service laws
Wednesday morning rail news: Railroads granted exemption to trucking hours-of-service laws The Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has granted railroads an exemption to the hours of service law for truck drivers. The Association of American Railroads and American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association had requested the exemption for their member railroads […]
Digest: Sounder commuter service stopped by mudslide
Tuesday midday rail news: Sounder North commuter service halted by mudslide Sound Transit has cancelled Sounder North commuter rail service today and tomorrow because of a mudslide between the Edwards and Mukilteo, Wash., stations. A commuter advisory reports special bus service for Sounder customers is available. With no service scheduled Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, […]
Amtrak, MTA CEOs react to COVID aid funding
Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Patrick J. Foye have both reacted positively to the COVID-19 relief funding included in a bill passed by Congress on Monday. Amtrak received $1 billion in relief funds, while transit agencies will receive $14 billion. In a statement issued Tuesday, Flynn thanked Congress for […]
