Two Rock Island E units lead the Chicago–Los Angeles Golden State into Joliet (Ill.) Union Station in fall 1951. Wallace W. Abbey photo […]
Rocking at Joliet
Type of Train: Passenger/Transit
Great Railfan Roads | U.S. Highway 2 along the BNSF Northern Transcon
The BNSF Northern Transcon is a major railroad artery that funnels traffic from the Pacific Northwest to Chicago and points east. Closely followed by U.S. Route 2, there’s a lot of traffic on this Great Railfan Road. Come along with Trains.com as we show you some of the highlights of the route and how it […]
MBTA completes agreements with all 28 of its unions
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has completed agreements with all 28 of its labor unions, an accomplishment covering 16 collective bargaining agreements, the agency announced today (Wednesday, July 3). The agency says this is the first time in 15 years it has had agreements in place with all its unions, and — with […]
CAF lands contract for new Omaha streetcar line
OMAHA, Neb. — CAF will build the equipment for the new Omaha streetcar network, the Spanish firm has announced. The initial order for the Omaha Streetcar Authority, a partnership between the City of Omaha and Omaha Metro, will include six vehicles, along with parts and tools, along with an option to build up to 29 […]
VIA Rail Canada solicits questions for annual public meeting
MONTREAL — VIA Rail Canada will air its annual public meeting — a pre-recorded session featuring the passenger operator’s top officials — on Wednesday, Aug. 7, the company has announced, and is soliciting questions to be answered during that meeting. Questions are being accepted beginning today (Wednesday, July 3), through Friday, July 5, at 11:59 […]
MBTA Orange Line work removes six more speed restrictions
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority announced it eliminated six speed restrictions during the latest service shutdown on its rapid transit network, suspensions of Orange Line service between North Station and Oak Grove June 22-23 and between North Station and Wellington June 24-30. “We continue to accomplish long deferred maintenance, repairs, and full-depth track […]
First Tri-Rail express train disrupted by pedestrian accident
PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. — The launch of a new express service on South Florida commuter rail operator Tri-Rail was disrupted Monday when another train struck and killed a pedestrian, halting operations and forcing the commuter operator to provide buses on the inaugural train of the service. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports a northbound Tri-Rail train […]
Metrolink set for significant service expansion this fall
LOS ANGELES — Metrolink plans to offer expanded service this fall as part of its efforts to move from commuter-oriented service to a “regional rail” concept, KTLA-TV reports. The agency has also hired a new “Chief People Officer,” Metrolink announced Monday. Systemwide, the plan calls for about a 30% increase in service under the fiscal […]
Mexican president again says Maya Train will be completed by September
CANCÚN, Mexico — Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has again promised the Maya Train project will be completed by mid-September, before he leaves office, while President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum has endorsed the controversial project on the Yucatan Peninsula. Mexico News Daily reports that López Obrador and Sheinbaum traveled on two segments of the Maya Train […]
FTA offers grants for projects to improve transit convenience
WASHINGTON — The Federal Transit Administration is offering $1.94 million in grants to fund research projects to improve customer convenience, such as finding easier ways to pay for rides or to enhance schedules based on rider demand. The Enhancing Mobility Innovation program is open to transit agencies; state and local transportation departments; state and local […]
White paper urges public ownership of U.S. railroads
Rail labor groups today released a report calling for public ownership of Class I freight railroads in the U.S., arguing that the current system is broken because it’s beholden to Wall Street. The 98-page report contends that the Class I railroads’ relentless focus on cost-cutting has hurt safety, service, employees, infrastructure investment, and passenger service. […]
VIA’s Venture fleet expanding to Windsor, Ont., this summer
WINDSOR, Ontario — Although no effective date has been announced, VIA Rail Canada CEO Mario Péloquin said last week at a public event that the new Siemens trainsets would begin migrating to Toronto-Windsor trains this summer. The Venture equipment debuted by replacing 1950s-vintage Budd stainless steel HEP-1 and HEP-2 coaches and 1980s Bombardier “Light Rapid […]
