SEATTLE — A federal appeals court has overturned a Federal Railroad Administration decision on train crew size, saying the agency’s decision to withdraw a proposed rule requiring two-person crews has a “real and intended effect … to authorize nationwide one-person train crews and to bar any contrary state regulations.” Calling that decision “arbitrary and capricious,” […]
Canadian government revises rules for winter operations, hazardous-material trains The Canadian government has revised rules regarding winter operation and hazardous material trains, updating rules first issued in response to derailments in 2020. The rules announced by Transport Minister Omar Alghabra will: — Define “higher risk key trains” as those carrying large quantities of crude oil […]
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has decided to maintain late-night commuter rail service on weekdays, and is planning a new round of schedule changes this spring that will be “closer to regional rail,” according to MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. The Boston Globe reports MBTA officials told the Fiscal and Management Control Board […]
Union approves one-year extension of contract with Denver RTD The largest union representing employees of Denver’s Regional Transportation District has voted by a 90%-10% margin in favor of a one-year extension of its current contract. The website Colorado Politics reports Amalgamated Transit Union Local 101, which represents approximately 2,300 rail and bus operators and other […]
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — In separate bills, Illinois legislators are proposing to limit train lengths in the state to 8,500 feet and provide multiple actions to address trespassing along rail lines. The train length bill, HB 2524, sponsored by state Reps. Jay Hoffman (D-Belleville) and Kelly Burke (D-Evergreen Park), was prompted by increasing complaints from constituents […]
Judge rules against railroads on evidence in fuel-surcharge case A federal judge has denied a request by four Class I railroads to exclude certain evidence from a long-running case over fuel surcharges that involves more than 200 major shippers. The motion by BNSF, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific contended that federal law permits limited […]
WASHINGTON — Control of Chicago Union Station emerges as the key issue in the latest filings in Metra’s dispute with Amtrak over its station lease, with Metra reviving a question whether Amtrak lawfully owns the property, while Amtrak claims Metra’s proposals “would wrest from Amtrak control over its own facility.” The latest documents, filed Friday […]
Longmont, Colo., city council to meet on legal options regarding Northwest Rail project The Longmont, Colo., city council is planning a closed-door meeting Tuesday to consider the city’s legal options to push Denver’s Regional Transportation District to commit to building a long-planned, much-delayed commuter rail line to the community. The Longmont Times-Call reports the executive […]
BNSF, UP update recovery efforts from winter weather The most recent updates from BNSF Railway and Union Pacific as they recover from last week’s severe weather: — BNSF notified customers in a Friday update that it would take some time to clear traffic backlogs, particularly on the southern portion of the railroad, while all four […]
East Troy Electric to begin season March 27; regular operations start April 24 The East Troy (Wis.) Electric Railroad has announced its 2021 schedule of regular operations and special events, opening the year with health measures including pinpoint ionizations for air filtering, socially distant seating, and mask. The first special-event trains of the year will […]
News report: Design changes lead to $800 million in overruns for California high speed segment A 65-mile section of California’s high speed rail line in the San Joaquin Valley is facing more than $800 million in cost overruns because of design changes proposed by its contractor as a cost-saving move. The Los Angeles Times reports […]
ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — Responding to heavy demand, the East Broad Top added several trips during Saturday’s Winter Spectacular, a revival of the event held 1966-81. Scheduled trips with Brill gas-electric M-1 and a caboose all sold out within hours of tickets going on sale, so the EBT added trips, and sold all those out, […]
