WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to apply for $8.5 million in Fiscal Year 2020 competitive grant funding for projects that help lift communities out of poverty and support recovery from substance abuse. The new Helping Obtain Prosperity for Everyone (HOPE) program […]
WASHINGTON — Local legislators and recipients are beginning to announce that they have been awarded Federal Railroad Administration grants for infrastructure projects. The Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grants can be used for passenger projects, grade-crossing improvements, capacity projects and other rail projects. Among those announced so far: — $21.5 million to the […]
More Monday morning rail news: — A draft environment statement says that building California’s high speed rail system from Bakersfield to Palmdale, Calif., across the Tehachapi Mountains would cost $18.1 billion and force the removal or relocation of more than 300 businesses and 250 residential units in the Lancaster-Palmdale area. The Los Angeles Times reports […]
Rail news to begin your week: — Amtrak is working on plans to increase maintenance work on its century-old tunnels under the Hudson River, work which is likely to lead to disruptions in service for Amtrak and commuter-rail passengers. Amtrak executive Stephen Gardner told the Associated Press that the railroad is “trying to balance what […]
William Flynn, chairman and former CEO of Atlas Air Worldwide and a former CSX executive, will succeed Richard Anderson as Amtrak CEO. Following a New York Times report earlier today, Amtrak confirmed the hiring with a press release late Monday morning. The passenger railroad says Flynn will take over as CEO on April 15, with […]
WASHINGTON — The National Park Foundation announced this week that since 2011, it has engaged more than one million students in educational programs connecting them with national parks across the country. As the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation raises support from generous individuals and dedicated partners for diverse […]
Friday morning rail news: — Norfolk Southern has informed customers that Pan Am Railways’ Hoosac Tunnel in Western Massachusetts is now expected to remain out of service until mid-March, following the partial collapse of a wall in the 145-year-old tunnel on Feb. 12. The closure affects the line between Mechanicville, N.Y., and Ayer, Mass.; NS […]
A Gulf Coast inspection train pauses at Bay St. Louis, Miss., on Feb. 18, 2016. Four years after the trip hosted by the Southern Rail Commission and Amtrak, there is still no firm cost estimate for what CSX Transportation will require to allow service to be reinstated. Bob Johnston WASHINGTON — Each year following the […]
NJ Transit’s “Princeton Dinky” shuttle arrives in Princeton, N.J., on Aug. 6, 2019. NJ Transit will receive a record subsidy under the budget proposed by Gov. Phil Murphy. TRAINS: David Lassen Thursday morning rail news: — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed 2021 state budget would increase funding for NJ Transit by $132 million to […]
Southbound manifest train 26, three F unit diesels, pauses by the Borden Textile Mill in Kingsport, Tennessee, in March 1967 to add a three-unit rear-end pusher for the 42-mile climb to Erwin. C. K. Marsh Jr. History and major events of the Clinchfield Railroad The Clinchfield was different. It was conceived by men who had […]
Residents of Flossmoor, Ill., are unhappy with proposed changes to the Metra Electric schedule. TRAINS: David Lassen More Wednesday morning rail news: — Residents and government officials in the Chicago suburb of Flossmoor, Ill., are balking at proposed changes to the Metra Electric District schedule spurred by positive train control implementation, the Homewood-Flossmoor Chronicle reports. […]
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Siemens Mobility will continue to update Calgary’s current light rail vehicle fleet with 15 more S200 light rail vehicles. These vehicles will replace Siemens’ original U2 vehicles, most of which have been running for almost 40 years. “These U2 cars have been reliable workhorses that have more than exceeded their expected lifetime […]
