A Metrolink train arrives at Burbank in January 2020. A survey by Metrolink has found that 70% of those still using the commuter rail system classify themselves as essential workers. TRAINS: David Lassen More Friday morning rail news: — Some 70% of riders using LA-area commuter railroad Metrolink classify themselves as “essential workers,” with more […]
Friday morning rail news: — Texas Central Railway won a significant court ruling Thursday when a state appeals court said the company is a railroad in legal terms, even though it does not yet operate any trains. The decision by Judge Nora Longoria for the Thirteenth Appeals Court of Texas overturns a lower court ruling […]
WASHINGTON – The National Park Service (NPS), Union Pacific Railroad and the National Park Foundation (NPF) today announced the release of the Junior Ranger Railroad Explorer activity booklet that can be obtained for free from NPS.gov. Issued just ahead of National Train Day and the Golden Spike anniversary on May 9 and May 10, respectively, […]
A masked passenger waits on the North Concourse of Chicago Union Station on April 20, 2020. Beginning May 11, Amtrak will require passengers to wear facial coverings on trains and in stations. TRAINS: David Lassen WASHINGTON — Amtrak will begin requiring passengers to wear masks or other facial coverings as of May 11. The requirement […]
Still more Thursday rail news: — BNSF Railway will close two facilities in Wyoming, laying off 122 workers, in part reflecting the declining market for coal. The Casper Star-Tribune reports the railroad will close its Guernsey shops in June and its Donkey Creek facility in July. “Similar to the size of our train, yard and […]
More Thursday morning rail news: — BNSF Railway will close its Glendive, Mont., diesel shop and is also laying off workers in Topeka, Kan. KXGN-TV is reporting that, in a letter to employees, BNSF’s Gary Grissum, vice president of mechanical, told affected shop employees in a letter that the closure reflected the current business environment […]
The Grapevine Vintage Railroad, shown in 2017, will resume operations on Saturday. TRAINS: David Lassen Thursday afternoon rail news: — The Grapevine Vintage Railroad in Grapevine, Texas, will resume operations Saturday after closing in March because of the coronavirus pandemic. On Sunday, the railroad will offer four 1-hour Mother’s Day excursions, departing at 10 a.m., […]
VIA Rail Canada is extending the suspension of the Canadian until November 2020. Bob Johnston Thursday morning rail news: — VIA Rail Canada has written off the summer travel season for its long-distance overnight trains, the Canadian and the Ocean, extending their suspension until at least Nov. 1, 2020, and has suspended Sleeper class on […]
Table of US rail traffic commodities and intermodal for the week ended May 2, 2020 Association of American Railroads WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending May 2, 2020, as well as volumes for April 2020. U.S. railroads originated 980,535 carloads in April 2020, down 25.2%, […]
An outbound Long Island Rail Road train meets a New York & Atlantic train on a section of the LIRR Main Line which will eventually be triple-tracked as part of a capacity expansion project. The $2.6 billion project remains on schedule despite challenges created by the COVID-19 outbreak. TRAINS: David Lassen More Wednesday morning rail […]
An outbound Metra Electric train meets a Canadian National freight at Matteson, Ill., on May 2, 2020. Metra will increase service on the Electric line as part of its PTC implementation effort. TRAINS: David Lassen Wednesday morning rail news: — Chicago’s Metra will increase service on the Metra Electric District as of May 18 as […]
The eastbound Empire Builder crosses the Mississippi River at Hastings, Minn., on Sept. 23, 2018. The project to start a second train on the Chicago-Twin Cities portion of the Builder‘s route has received an FRA grant for more than $12 million. TRAINS: David Lassen Wednesday afternoon rail news: — Three projects touching eight states have […]
