WASHINGTON — While comparisons with 2020 are skewed because of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Association of American Railroad statistics for March 2021 show that “rail traffic has clearly rebounded from last year’s depths,” an AAR official says. U.S. numbers for March 2021 show carloads up 4.1% and intermodal trailer and containers up 24% […]
Denver RTD ready to revive planning for Boulder-Longmont commuter line The Denver-area Regional Transportation District is likely to restart planning on a commuter rail line to Boulder and Longmont, seeking to capitalize on funding that may become available from President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan. Colorado Public Radio reports the RTD board indicated at a meeting […]
Northeast Corridor testing for Amtrak’s new Acela trainsets continues, with the second of the new trains set for about two weeks of testing on the North end of the corridor, including operation at speeds up to 165 mph on high speed trackage in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.It will also spend time in Boston for maintenance […]
MIAMI — As part of preparation for its extension to Orlando, Brightline has completed a second highway grade separation for its 125-mph right-of-way east of the Orlando Airport utilizing the box-jacking process, where pre-cast concrete boxes are pushed under a road to reduce extended auto traffic disruptions and construction costs. Brightline trains have not operated […]
Miami-Dade applies for federal grant to help fund Miami-Aventura commuter rail service Miami-Dade County has applied for federal funding for its proposed Miami-Aventura commuter rail service which would operate on the southern end of Brightline’s Miami-West Palm Beach route. Miami Today reports the county Department of Transportation and Public Works has submitted an “Infrastructure for […]
Rail worker safety makes NTSB’s ‘Most Wanted List’ of transportation improvements A goal of improving rail worker safety is among the 10 items landing spots on the National Transportation Safety Board’s 2021-22 Most Wanted List of transportation safety improvements, finalized during a Tuesday NTSB board meeting. “Board members of the NTSB and our advocacy team […]
Hoosier Valley obtains builder’s plate for 2-8-4, seeks National Register status for locomotive The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, Ind., has acquired the builder’s plate for Chesapeake & Ohio 2-8-4 No. 2789, reuniting the plate with the locomotive decades after the two were separated. The acquisition comes as the museum launches an effort […]
KEOKUK, Iowa — Pioneer RailCorp affiliate Keokuk Junction Railway has sold its popular A-B-A set of former Canadian National FP9s to two different buyers. FP9A No. 1752 has been sold to Dieselmotive Co., based in Turlock, Calif.; sister FP9A No. 1750, along with F9B No. 1761, have been sold to Gary Southgate, of Battleford, Saskatchewan. […]
NJ Transit ceremony marks start of testing for first new ALP45 NJ Transit marked the beginning of testing for the first of its 25 new Alstom ALP45 dual-power locomotives with a Tuesday ceremony at Newark Penn Station featuring Gov. Phil Murphy, NJ Transit CEO Kevin Corbett, and other officials. The new locomotives will undergo about […]
CP, KCS say 45 more entities have filed statements of support for merger Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern says 45 more customers, ports, and other entities have filed statements with the Surface Transportation Board supporting their planned merger, bringing the number supporting the proposal to more than 300. In a press release, the railroads […]
Elmwood Park, Ill., to receive $24 million for planned underpass at dangerous crossing The Illinois Commerce Commission is awarding $24 million to the village of Elmwood Park, Ill., for construction of an underpass at a grade crossing that was labeled “inherently dangerous” after a 2005 accident in which a Metra train struck six vehicles. The […]
Alabama port agency asks STB to deny Amtrak effort to start Gulf Coast service The Alabama State Port Authority has asked the Surface Transportation Board to turn down Amtrak’s request for an order allowing it to start passenger service between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala., instead requesting the board compel Amtrak to complete the traffic […]
