Metra receives seven new coaches NEWSWIRE

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Seven new coaches en route to Metra were spotted in Leesburg, Ind. Matt Glassman CHICAGO — Metra is receiving seven new bilevel coach cars as part of a 2017 settlement with Sumitomo Corp. of America. The settlement is in exchange for releasing the company from the option Metra acquired from Virginia Railway Express to purchase […]

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News Wire Digest for Tuesday, Feb. 4 NEWSWIRE

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A look at Tuesday morning rail news: — Problems with overhead wires led to about five hours of significant delays for trains in and out of New York’s Penn Station on Monday, WABC-TV reports, beginning about 4:30 p.m. Amtrak and NJ Transit trains were delayed for up to two hours. Schedules finally returned to normal […]

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News Wire Digest for Monday, Feb. 3 NEWSWIRE

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Notable rail news for your day-after-the-Super-Bowl Monday: — The Federal Railroad Administration will hold a hearing for rural landowners to comment on the Texas Central high speed rail project. The Dallas Business journal reports that U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas), who opposes the project, announced the hearing last week. No date or location has been […]

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Election 2020: Where top Democratic candidates stand on rail issues NEWSWIRE

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Construction work continues on the extension of San Diego’s light rail system to La Jolla, Calif. Increased spending on public transportation is a part of the platform of most major Democratic presidential candidates. TRAINS: David Lassen The campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination is about to move into a new phase, with the Feb. 3 […]

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News Wire Digest for Friday, Jan. 31 NEWSWIRE

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NJ Transit trains meet in Elizabeth, N.J., in August 2019. A highly critical state auditor’s report says the commuter railroad is at risk of missing the deadline for positive train control implementation, among other issues. TRAINS: David Lassen Friday morning rail news of note: — A state auditor’s report says NJ Transit is at risk […]

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Remembering the Nickel Plate Road

As an eastbound clears in the distance, Nickel Plate 779, Lima’s last 2-8-4, and a sister placed five cars back because of bridge weight restrictions, leave NH Tower near North East, Pa., in March 1957.

As an eastbound clears in the distance, Nickel Plate 779, Lima’s last 2-8-4, and a sister placed five cars back because of bridge weight restrictions, leave NH Tower near North East, Pa., in March 1957. Jim Shaughnessy History and major events of the Nickel Plate Road The New York, Chicago & St. Louis opened between […]

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News Wire Digest for Thursday, Jan. 30 NEWSWIRE

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Your morning look at rail news headlines: — The Associated Press reports that Virginia’s House of Delegates is scheduled to vote next week on a transportation bill that includes creation of the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, to oversee state rail operations. — As part of its efforts to find alternative funding, the Southeast Pennsylvania has […]

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News Wire Digest for Wednesday, Jan. 29 NEWSWIRE

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BNSF has completed the process of removing these locomotives, which derailed in a Jan. 1 accident, from an Idaho River. Idaho State Police A morning look at notable rail news: — BNSF Railway has completed the process of removing two locomotives from the Kootenai River in Idaho following a Jan. 1 derailment, KHQ TV reports. […]

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Virginia-CSX deal’s impact will extend to North Carolina NEWSWIRE

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Weeds have begun encroaching on remnants of the former Seaboard S Line at Norlina, N.C., in this 2007 view. Bob Johnston Third article in a series on Virginia’s rail plans. The first, on the impact near Washington, D.C., is available here. The second, on the statewide passenger rail impact, is here. NORLINA, N.C. — Nowhere […]

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Amtrak tests Charger locomotives on ‘Empire Builder’ route NEWSWIRE

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Charger locomotive No. 4627 leads an Amtrak test train through Wauwatosa, Wis., on Tuesday afternoon. Amtrak is testing the locomotives for use in long-distance service. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — People along Amtrak’s Empire Builder route are getting a preview of the future of long-distance passenger service this week as the railroad runs a test […]

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Illinois members of Congress call on Amtrak to meet accessibility needs NEWSWIRE

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The official portrait of U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth Sen. Tammy Duckworth WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth and two other members of the Illinois congressional delegation have sent Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson a letter expressing their unhappiness over the recent incident in which passengers using wheelchairs were quoted a price of $25,000 to travel from […]

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Mississippi cities urge Mobile, Ala., to support Amtrak service

Mobilerailsupporters

MOBILE, Ala. — A group of Mississippi cities that would be served by revived Amtrak service along the Gulf Coast are urging the Mobile City Council to join in supporting the effort to begin New Orleans-Mobile passenger operations. The Mobile council is scheduled to vote today whether to pledge its financial support for the proposed […]

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