Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn has joined the call by two labor unions for increased security for Amtrak passengers and railroad workers, especially in the Washington, D.C., area, in the wake of last week’s violence at the Capitol building. “There is nothing more important than the safety of our employees,” Flynn said in a statement. “Since […]
Thursday morning rail news: Alghabra becomes Canada’s transport minister, succeeding Garneau (corrected) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has shuffled his cabinet, appointing Omar Alghabra as transport minister. Alghabra replaces Marc Garneau, transport minister since 2015, who becomes minister of foreign affairs. Macleans magazine reports Alghabra, a member of parliament from Mississauga, Ontario, first served in […]
Still more Thursday morning rail news: DOT awards $40 million for commuter rail grade-crossing projects The Department of Transportation has awarded $40 million in grants to five states to improve grade crossings along commuter rail routes. The funds, awarded by the Federal Highway Administration in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration and Federal Transit Administration, […]
Still more Thursday morning rail news: Winds up to 100 mph halt Union Pacific trains in Wyoming High winds forced Union Pacific to shut down operations across much of Wyoming on Wednesday, with similar disruptions likely today. In an advisory to customers, the railroad said winds gusts of 80 to 100 mph began in southeast […]
Thursday midday rail news: Brightline West aims for spring start to construction of Las Vegas-California line Brightline West is aiming to start construction of its Las Vegas-Southern California high speed rail project this spring, according to a filing with the Nevada High-Speed Rail Authority. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports Brightline West President Sarah Watterson said […]
More Thursday morning rail news: New RTD CEO casts doubt on plans for commuter rail line to Boulder and Longmont The new head of Denver’s Regional Transportation District is questioning whether a long-planned, voter-approved commuter rail line to Boulder and Longmont, Colo., is the best option to provide transit service. Colorado Public Radio reports CEO […]
CHICAGO — Metra’s board of directors has approved the purchase of up to 500 new multilevel cars from Alstom, a purchase CEO and Executive Director James Derwinski calls “truly transformational.” The Alstom Coradia cars, while compatible with the current fleet of gallery cars, will feature two entrance doors on each side, as opposed to the […]
More Wednesday morning rail news: Eau Claire approves formation of rail commission for passenger service to Twin Cities The city of Eau Claire, Wis., has voted to create a commission to lead development of passenger rail service between the city and St. Paul, Minn. The Chippewa-St. Croix Rail Commission seeks to connect the city of […]
PORT CLINTON, Pa. — Reading & Northern’s former Reading Co. 4-8-4 No. 2102 came several steps closer to its long-awaited return to service after steam testing at the railroad’s steam shops in Port Clinton on Tuesday. All went well. “The engine is like new,” said R&N owner and CEO Andrew M. Muller, Jr. Following the […]
Wednesday morning rail news: Suburbs close lots, seek other cuts with loss of Metra parking feets Suburbs served by Metra are seeking ways to offset the loss in parking fees they have suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic, closing some lots and considering maintenance cuts. A Chicago Tribune report, focusing on the communities served by the […]
A Pennsylvania Department of Transportation study of a proposed Philadelphia-Reading passenger rail operation estimates the 12-station, 59-mile service could attract up to 6,400 passengers daily, but notes several significant issues that must be addressed while laying out five steps that will be necessary to determine the concept’s feasibility. The report, released last week, notes that […]
LONDON — The impact of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union is only now becoming apparent to British passenger and freight rail operations, with freight traffic delayed and the Eurostar passenger operation, in particular, facing severe challenges. The UK formally left the European Union Dec. 31, with a limited free-trade deal agreed at […]
