Digest: Charges reinstated against Amtrak 188 engineer

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Monday morning rail news in brief: — Criminal charges have been reinstated against Brian Bostian, the latest twist in the legal saga of the engineer who was at the controls for the fatal Philadelphia derailment of Amtrak train No. 188 in 2015. Charges against Bostian were dropped for the second time in July 2019 when […]

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KCS unveils ‘Salute to Heroes” locomotive NEWSWIRE

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Kansas City Southern has released specially painted SD70ACe No. 4009, saluting railroad and other essential workers. Kansas City Southern Monday afternoon rail news in brief: — Kansas City Southern has unveiled a locomotive saluting “the heroes throughout our network and beyond — especially railroad employees,” according to a Facebook post. SD70ACe No. 4009 wears a […]

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Short Line Safety Institute names new hazardous materials programs director NEWSWIRE

John Walsh American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association WASHINGTON — The Short Line Safety Institute is pleased to announce the hiring of John Walsh in a new position, Director of Hazardous Materials Programs. Walsh’s 30-year career includes experience in public safety, security, emergency management, homeland security and compliance, including 15 years in the freight […]

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Rail writer, editor, historian Peter A. Hansen dies

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WINTER PARK, Fla. — Railroad writers rarely are known for wide exposure in multiple forms of national media, but Peter A. Hansen was a major exception. He not only edited the venerable publication Railroad History and wrote frequent long-form stories for Trains and Classic Trains, he also hosted or appeared in several nationally broadcast television […]

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‘Carolinian’ set for full return June 1; other Amtrak changes not yet finalized (corrected)

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Amtrak’s Carolinian is scheduled to resume service between Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C., as of May 18, with full service to New York returning June 1, according to a spokeswoman for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, while Piedmont trains will be suspended until further notice. However, other service changes and equipment deployment decisions for state-supported […]

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CDC issues guidelines for restoring transit service NEWSWIRE

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The CDC has issued this set of guidelines to help transit systems decide when to restore or increase service. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Friday morning rail news in brief: — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued a set of guidelines to help mass transit managers decide when to reopen or […]

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NJ Transit and Metra still in danger of failing to meet positive train control deadline NEWSWIRE

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration today released a quarterly status update on railroads’ self-reported progress, as of March 31, 2020, toward fully implementing positive train control systems by December 31, 2020, as required by Congress. Based on railroads’ First Quarter 2020 PTC Progress Reports and current PTC Implementation Plans, nearly […]

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Railexco becomes first private owner of Amfleet cars NEWSWIRE

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Amfleet cars make up the consist of an Amtrak Northeast Regional train at Fairfield, Conn., in August 2019. Passenger car firm Railexco has become the first private owner of Amfleet equipment. TRAINS: David Lassen Rail Excursion Management Co. has acquired three Amfleet cars, becoming the first private owner of the first cars built for Amtrak […]

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Rocky Mountaineer suspends service through July 31 NEWSWIRE

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated government restrictions, Rocky Mountaineer will extend the suspension of its 2020 travel season until July 31, 2020. This suspension is in addition to the previously announced suspended departures from April 13 to June 30. “It is with much regret that we announce […]

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