Trains’ International news round-up for May 11, 2020 — MONGOLIA (via AKIPress.com) Construction of more than 400 miles in rail line continues in southern Mongolia despite threats posed by Coronavirus, according to AKIPress. The new lines connect two settlements in the south part of the country with the border with China at Gashuunsukhait. One of […]
Magazine: Trains Magazine
Railroads feel historic April volume decline in uneven fashion NEWSWIRE
The pandemic-related collapse of rail traffic in April — U.S. carload volume down 25%, intermodal off 17% — was unprecedented as large sectors of the economy shut down. The impact varied on the big six Class I systems, however, with Canadian railways faring better than their U.S. counterparts, thanks in no small part to record […]
REMSA offering college scholarships for member-company workers and family members NEWSWIRE
WASHINGTON — The Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association is excited to announce its 2020 Undergraduate Scholarship Program. This year REMSA is awarding one President’s Scholarship in the amount of $7,500 as well as one $5,000 runner-up scholarship, and one individual scholarship at $2,500. The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, May 29, 2020. Please note due […]
SunRail resumes normal schedule NEWSWIRE
Orlando’s SunRail has resumed its regular service schedule as of today. TRAINS: David Lassen Still more Monday rail news: — Orlando-area commuter railroad SunRail returned to its regular schedule as of today, ending the abbreviated operations it had introduced because of the coronavirus pandemic on March 31. It becomes the first of the state’s three […]
In a surprise, UP shuts down Cold Connect reefer service
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific has pulled the plug on its innovative Cold Connect reefer service, which the railroad had touted as a way to return long-lost perishables business to the rails. The service linked growers in California and the Pacific Northwest with consumers in the Northeast and New England via a mammoth refrigerated warehouse […]
Vermont Rail System acquires New Hampshire short line (corrected) NEWSWIRE
Sunday morning rail news: — Vermont Rail System will acquire “certain assets and operating rights” from New England Southern Railroad of Canterbury, N.H., to expand its operations, the company, which operates four short lines in Vermont and one in New York, announced on its Facebook page. New England Southern, a 39-year-old, 22-mile short line, operates […]
Canadian prime minister sees transit aid as local, provincial issue NEWSWIRE
Saturday Canadian rail and coronavirus news: — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau views aid for Canada’s ailing transit systems as a responsibility of local and provincial governments rather than the federal government, he said during a Friday press conference. “Operation of transit is more of a municipal and provincial responsibility, and we hope to see […]
Transit agencies seek $32 billion in additional federal aid (updated) NEWSWIRE
A Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line train heads toward downtown from O’Hare Airport. The CTA is among agencies asking for $32 billion in federal aid. TRAINS: David Lassen Saturday morning rail news: — Chief executives of 15 major transit agencies, including New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Los Angeles Metro, and the Chicago Transit Authority, have […]
Final days of steam in western China
Editors’ note: The author and photographers are graduates of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s rail engineering program. This is their first Trains byline. In North America, the days of steam railroading are a distant memory, and coal traffic is slowly headed the way of steam. In Europe and Japan, steam enthusiasts eagerly attend steam […]
Amtrak announces June 1 return for some Acela service NEWSWIRE
A northbound Amtrak Acela Express passes through Elizabeth, N.J., in August 2019. Amtrak will resume some Acela service on the Northeast Corridor as of June 1. TRAINS: David Lassen WASHINGTON — Amtrak will begin restoration of Acela Express service on the Northeast Corridor as of June 1, with three Acela round trips between Washington and […]
Ohio railfan events cancelled over COVID-19 concerns NEWSWIRE
DAYTON, Ohio – Two railfan events scheduled for summer 2020 are cancelled due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. The annual Carillon Park Rail Festival in Dayton is cancelled for 2020. The event, which features miniature train rides with live steam locomotives, historical exhibits, and a swap meet, is traditionally held the weekend after Father’s Day. […]
Most SEPTA service to resume normal levels May 17; Regional Rail remains on ‘Lifeline” schedule NEWSWIRE
More Friday rail news: — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority will resume regular service on most bus and trolley and some rail lines in the Philadelphia area as of Sunday, May 17, the agency has announced, with fare collection resuming Monday, May 18. Some stations will reopen; COVID-19 measures will remain in effect. Trolley route […]
