Supporters, Amtrak officials strike positive note after meetings on Duluth-Twin Cities train NEWSWIRE

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DULUTH, Minn. — After a day of meetings with local officials, an Amtrak executive promised Monday that the passenger railroad is “going to deliver” on proposed service between Duluth and Minneapolis-St. Paul. Joe McHugh, Amtrak’s vice president, state-supported business development, told the Duluth News-Tribune that the proposed 152-mile, 2 ½-hour Northern Lights Express is “in the […]

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Amtrak, Minnesota officials meet on proposed Duluth-Twin Cities train NEWSWIRE

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DULUTH, Minn. — Amtrak officials are scheduled to be in Duluth today and tomorrow for meetings about proposed passenger service between Duluth and the Twin Cities. The Duluth News Tribune reports that Joe McHugh, Amtrak’s vice president, state-supported business development, will meet with Duluth-area officials today and elected officials at the State Capitol in St. […]

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Wisconsin governor includes $45 million for expanded Hiawatha service in budget proposal NEWSWIRE

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Amtrak Hiawatha trains meet at Rondout, Ill., in January 2018. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has included $45 million for expanded Hiawatha service in his proposed budget. TRAINS: David Lassen MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has included $45 million for expanded Amtrak Hiawatha service between Milwaukee and Chicago in his proposed budget, Wisconsin Public Radio […]

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Proposed budget would give NJ Transit a $100 million boost NEWSWIRE

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Two NJ Transit Morris and Essex Line trains meet at the Maplewood, N.J., station.  The train on the left is headed to Dover; the one on the right is bound for New York’s Penn Station. The proposed state budget for fiscal 2020 would provide an additional $100 million in funding for the transit agency. Ralph […]

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Indiana Transportation Museum close on purchase of railroad NEWSWIRE

LOGANSPORT, Ind. — The displaced Indiana Transportation Museum may soon have a new home. According to a notice published in the Federal Register, the Logansport & Eel River Railroad is seeking a waivers for a requirement to put a section of out-of-service track back into service. The Federal Railroad Administration filing says the railroad, which […]

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Senator says worker’s fall onto circuit board caused Union Station signal outage NEWSWIRE

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Thursday’s signal outage at Chicago Union Station was reportedly caused by a worker falling on a circuit board during an equipment upgrade, according to a U.S. Senator. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — That “human error” that snarled Metra’s Thursday evening commute? It wasn’t just someone flicking the wrong switch or a programming mistake. U.S. Sen […]

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Photos show removal of snowbound UP train in Minnesota NEWSWIRE

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ELLENDALE, Minn. – Two Union Pacific trains stuck in deep snow near Ellendale are free this week following the efforts of railroad and contractor crews to free them. Ellendale is located on the so-called “Spine Line” between Minneapolis and Des Moines, Iowa, about 30 miles north of the Minnesota-Iowa state line. The work took place […]

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Amtrak CEO says ‘human error’ caused signal problems that snarled traffic at Chicago Union Station (UPDATED) NEWSWIRE

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Metra and Amtrak trains move into Chicago Union Station in March 2017. Traffic in and out of Union Station was snarled for much of Thursday by Amtrak signal issues. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson has offered an explanation and an apology for signal problems at Chicago Union Station that snarled Metra […]

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Viral video shows beginning of Ohio freight train derailment NEWSWIRE

LUCASVILLE, Ohio – The beginning of a Norfolk Southern freight train derailment in southern Ohio was caught on video by drivers on nearby U.S. Route 23. That video has since gone viral on Facebook with more than 140,000 views as of Friday afternoon. WCHS-TV reports that six cars eventually derailed on the north side of […]

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South Shore approves contract with Metra; deal runs through 2024 NEWSWIRE

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A South Shore commuter train approaches the Hegewisch station in south Chicago. A new contract between South Shore and Metra covers South Shore’s service to Hegewisch, in Metra’s service area, as well as South Shore’s use of 14 miles of Metra trackage. TRAINS: David Lassen CHESTERTON, Ind. — The South Shore commuter system has approved […]

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Metra sets launch date for new reverse-commute service NEWSWIRE

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A screen image capture of the cover of a report studying reverse commuting on Chicago’s Metra. Metra CHICAGO — A March 4 launch date has been scheduled for the start of new reverse-commute service on Metra’s Milwaukee District North Line, officials have announced. The new service is intended to provide improved outbound transportation from Chicago’s […]

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World squash championship being played at Chicago Union Station NEWSWIRE

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Squash players during a championship match at Chicago Union Station. Professional Squash Association screen image capture CHICAGO — There’s a squash in the Great Hall at Chicago Union Station. No, not a squash of passengers from Amtrak or Metra commuter trains. Squash as in the sport played on a court with rackets and a ball. […]

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