Nine transit agencies participate in ‘virtual rally’ seeking COVID-19 relief funds Officials from nine transit agencies held a “virtual rally” on Wednesday, trying once again to stir Congress to provide COVID-19 relief funding to operations facing significant deficits and contemplating major service cuts. Taking part were New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the New Orleans Regional […]
FBI seeks man who fired rifle on Metra platform The Federal Bureau of Investigation is seeking a man who allegedly fired a rifle on the Metra platform at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center. The FBI website report on the incident includes video showing a man removing a collapsible rifle from a backpack and firing one […]
Two Class I railroads were among the companies to invest in the latest round of funding for one of the startup companies that is developing self-driving trucks. Online technology publication TechCrunch has reported that Union Pacific and Canadian National both were among the investors in a $350 million round of funding for TuSimple. CN declined […]
GREENWICH JUNCTION, N.Y. — A group of railfans gathered three preserved and operational Alco locomotives for a night photo at Greenwich Junction on Dec. 6, 2020, and are also seeking to promote an effort to preserve a former Alco plant switcher. Photographed at Greenwich Junction, where the Greenwich & Johnsonville Railroad interchanged with the Delaware […]
WASHINGTON — Total carload traffic is inching toward 2019 levels as 2020 nears its conclusion, while intermodal volume continues to boost overall rail traffic above same-week levels for 2019, according to the latest statistics from the Association of American Railroads. For the week ending Dec. 5, 2020 — the 49th week of the year — […]
KC Streetcar gets $174 million federal grant, fully funding Main Street Extension The Kansas City Streetcar Authority has received a $174 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, giving the agency full funding for its Main Street Extension project. KMBC-TV reports the grant is covers half the cost of the 3½-mile extension, which will […]
Florida DOT commits $67 million for Tampa streetcar expansion The Florida Department of Transportation announced Tuesday it will contribute $67 million toward a plan to expand Tampa’s TECO Line Streetcar, a proposed $234 million project which would add 1.3 miles to the existing 2.7-mile heritage streetcar system connecting downtown to the Ybor City district. The […]
Amtrak, Metra propose schedule to STB for Union Station dispute; will provide information on remaining issues Dec. 15 Attorneys for Amtrak and Metra will inform the Surface Transportation Board on Dec. 15 of unresolved issues in their dispute over Metra’s lease at Chicago Union Station under a proposed schedule to address those issues presented to […]
Newark Penn Station to receive $190 million facelift Newark Penn Station will receive $190 million in restoration and rehabilitation, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced Tuesday. Some $30 million in work is scheduled to begin immediately, with the project continuing over the next five years. NJ.com reports work has already begun on the original decorative […]
Suspect charged for allegedly firing rifle on Metra platform A suspect has been charged with three felonies after allegedly firing a rifle on the platform of the McCormick Place station on the Metra Electric line earlier this month. In a press release, Metra reports Shawn A. Kimbrough, 40, of Chicago was charged with aggravated unlawful […]
Amtrak, Metra end mediation; Union Station dispute to return to STB Mediation of Amtrak’s dispute with Metra over Metra’s lease at Chicago Union Station has ended with some issues still unresolved. In a letter to the Surface Transportation Board, representatives of STB and Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service said the two parties had met nine […]
Utah’s FrontRunner may be in line for double tracking, other improvements Utah’s budget situation looks better than expected for 2021, which may make room for a long-sought double-track project for FrontRunner commuter rail service. The Salt Lake Tribune reports improvements for the commuter operation include double-track segments between Ogden and Provo, which would allow trains […]
