Fourth in a series WILLISTON, N.D. — The eastbound Empire Builder departed Portland, Ore., with a heavy contingent of travelers filling seats in the baggage-coach, mostly going to Pasco and Spokane, Wash. In the Superliner coach ahead, the lower-level seating carried patrons heading to at least a dozen destinations, ranging from Sandpoint, Idaho, to […]
Larry Willis, president of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, has died at age 53. The Transportation Trades Department website reports Willis died Sunday of injuries sustained in a Nov. 22 biking accident. “The transportation labor family and the entire workers’ rights community lost a leader, advocate, mentor and friend,” TTD Secretary-Treasurer Greg Regan […]
Monday midday rail news: STB to delay action on request over Del Mar Bluffs projects The Surface Transportation Board will delay proceedings on the request by San Diego’s North County Transit District for an order on maintenance and safety-fence plans in the Del Mar, Calif., area, as requested by the NCTD. The STB said […]
Monday morning rail news: One injured when BNSF locomotives hit, derail coal hoppers One crew member was injured when a set of BNSF locomotives hit a string of empty coal hoppers Friday evening in Wellington, Colo. The Wellington Fire Protection District reports that the accident occurred at 8:22 p.m. at the Plate River Power […]
More Monday morning rail news: NJ Transit adjusts North Jersey Coast, Northeast Corridor schedules as derailment repairs continue The Nov. 24 derailment of an NJ Transit commuter train on the North Jersey Coast Line continues to alter schedules, with modified schedules beginning today for both the North Jersey Coast and Northeast Corridor lines. An […]
Still more Monday morning rail news: Study planned of Dubuque-Rockford rail service A Dubuque, Iowa, group is planning to contract for a study to restore rail passenger service between Dubuque and Rockford, Ill., once a proposed Chicago-Rockford service is revived. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports the committee of government and economic officials from Dubuque […]
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation will acquire regional Pan Am Railways in a deal that will redraw the railroad map in New England. CSX, already the dominant freight railroad in the region, will extend its reach into Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, as well as to Saint John, New Brunswick, via Pan Am’s haulage rights […]
Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn has named Stephen Gardner as president, effective Dec. 1. An Amtrak press release describes the move as “part of a broader set of actions taken under Flynn’s leadership, working with the board of directors, to ensure that Amtrak is well positioned for success in fiscal year 2021 and beyond.” It says […]
TORONTO — VIA Rail Canada trains began a two-day reroute onto Canadian National’s Halton Subdivision on Saturday, as the Metrolinx Oakville Subdivision used by GO Transit trains is closed for signal and plant upgrades through Nov. 29. In a rare opportunity for mileage collectors, VIA trains Nos. 71, 72, 75, and 78 are being rerouted […]
CHICAGO — John Plante, a strong proponent of railroad safety during his long career at the Chicago Transit Authority and Metra, is leaving the commuter rail agency’s board after serving seven years. Plante was honored by his fellow directors with a resolution citing his tenure at Metra where he served as board treasurer and chairman […]
FORD, Ontario — The Ontario Southland Railway has made two moves of note for rail photographers, returning RS18s to service on the railroad’s St. Thomas Subdivision and repainting SW1200 No. 1245, which becomes the first such locomotive to wear OSR livery. The pair of RS18s are in action on the division for the first time […]
ALNA, Maine — A 2-foot gauge tamper is on its way from Australia to the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum, culminating an 18-month effort by the museum to secure an operational narrow gauge tamper. In a moment of serendipity, the WW&F approached the Wilmar organization just a few days after it decided to retire […]
