With overall rail traffic down in the first quarter, only two of the big six Class I railroad systems — Canadian National and Norfolk Southern — managed volume gains through the first three months of 2019. CN’s volume was up 1 percent, while NS eked out a 0.4% gain, according to a review of Association […]
Section: News Wire
Some New York residents to get commuter rail discounts as part of congestion pricing deal NEWSWIRE
NEW YORK — Some New York City residents will receive discounts on Long Island Rail Road tickets as part of the deal to bring congestion pricing tolls to New York. The New York Post reports that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will offer 20% discounts on monthly passes to residents of northeast Queens. The discounts, which […]
Steam to visit SEPTA in May NEWSWIRE
NORTH WALES, Pa. — For the first time in nearly three decades, steam will traverse SEPTA’s Lansdale-to-Doylestown main line. In recognition of the 150th birthday of the borough of North Wales, Pa., the New Hope Railroad is hosting a series of four excursions on May 18. The excursions will be pulled by Baldwin-built 1925 2-8-0 […]
Virgin Trains USA raises $1.75 billion in bond sale NEWSWIRE
MIAMI — Virgin Trains USA found strong demand for the bonds to finance it expansion, selling $1.75 billion in private activity bonds this week. Trade publication The Bond Buyer reported that the offering may have received up to $4 billion in orders for the bonds. It quoted Brian Wynne, head of public finance at Morgan […]
AAR: Coal carloads plunge more than 25 percent last week NEWSWIRE
Association of American Railroads WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 30, as well as volumes for March 2019. U.S. railroads originated 957,144 carloads in March 2019, down 8.9 percent, or 93,616 carloads, from March 2018. U.S. railroads also originated 1,065,790 containers and trailers in […]
Amtrak expresses interest in Detroit-Toronto service NEWSWIRE
WASHINGTON — Amtrak’s 2020 budget request includes a proposal to restore service between Detroit and Toronto, although it makes no estimate of the funding necessary to start the service. Curbed Detroit noted the line item, part of a table of “Funding Needs Above the Authorized Level,” which the report says “represents many of Amtrak’s priorities, […]
Amtrak spending $23 million on unneeded real-estate leases, inspector general says NEWSWIRE
WASHINGTON — Amtrak spent at least $23.2 million on unnecessary leases of office space, and could have made at least $6.8 million in additional revenue through better management of its property, according to a report from the Amtrak Office of the Inspector General. The report found Amtrak needed better data on its office space, citing […]
Boston develops its vision of commuter rail in 2040 NEWSWIRE
An MBTA commuter train crosses one of two drawbridges over the Charles River as it leaves North Station. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is developing plans for expansion of Boston-area commuter service as it might look by the year 2040. Scott A. Hartley BOSTON — To see what commuter rail in Boston might look like […]
Francis Parker, Indiana rail historian and book author, dies at 80 NEWSWIRE
INDIANAPOLIS — Noted Indiana railroad historian and university professor Dr. Francis Parker, 80, died March 27 in Muncie, Ind. He authored or co-authored two books on Indiana railroads: “Railroads of Indiana” (with Richard Simons) and “Indiana Railroad Depots: A Threatened Heritage.” He came to Muncie in 1976 as one of four founding professors for Ball […]
Wal-Mart, like Amazon, tests direct intermodal relationship with railroads; introduces purpose-built containers NEWSWIRE
Wal-Mart is testing a direct intermodal relationship with U.S. railroads and now rosters a fleet of purpose-built 53-foot containers. Wal-Mart BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is expanding its use of rail intermodal and doing it with new custom containers. Walmart launched a new rail strategy in 2018 when, with its own specially-designed containers, the big retailer […]
New director sees momentum for Colorado Front Range passenger rail NEWSWIRE
DENVER — The first project director of Colorado’s Southwest Chief and Front Range Passenger Rail Commission is ready to help move forward plans to link Denver by rail to cities north and south. Randy Grauberger, a 28-year veteran of the Colorado Department of Transportation, joins the rail commission after a stint with WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff. […]
Black Hills Central 2-6-6-2T No. 108 is nearing completion NEWSWIRE
Black Hills Central No. 108 comes together in July 2018. Trains: Jim Wrinn No. 108 in service at Weyerhaeuser in Washington state. Martin E. Hansen collection HILL CITY, S.D. — While American steam fans have focused their attention on the amazing restorations of 2-4-4-2 Skookum, 2-6-6-2 No. 1309, and Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. […]
