Construction on LA Metro Gold Line extension to begin in 2020 NEWSWIRE

LAMetro_Gold_Line_1

An LA Metro train to Union Station stops at Azusa, a 50-minute ride away on the Foothill Gold Line. Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority An artist’s rendering of the future San Dimas station on the new Foothill Gold Line extension to Pomona, due to open in 2025. Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority Part of an […]

Read More…

Japan commuter train crash kills one, injures more than 30 NEWSWIRE

Japan_Commuter_Crash_AP

Workers examine the site of a commuter train derailment in Yokohama, Japan, on Thursday. The train hit a truck loaded with produce, killing the driver. Associated Press/Eugene Hoshiko YOKOHAMA, Japan — One person was killed and 33 were injured when an express commuter train collided with a truck on Thursday. Kyodo News reports the train […]

Read More…

Summer project done, but Penn Station work to continue NEWSWIRE

Penn_Station_Spielman

While a major summer infrastructure program is complete, work at Penn Station will continue during windows of less traffic for Amtrak, NJ Transit, and Long Island Rail Road trains. Ralph Spielman NEW YORK — While Amtrak’s summer infrastructure work at New York’s Penn Station is complete, additional work will continue over the next nine months. […]

Read More…

Amtrak updates hurricane cancellations, schedule changes NEWSWIRE

Amtrak2

WASHINGTON — Amtrak has extended cancellations of some trains and modified schedules for others because of the continuing effects of Hurricane Dorian. Thursday, Sept. 5, and Friday, Sept. 6, schedule changes include: — The north and southbound Palmetto will operate between New York and Richmond, Va., but are cancelled between Richmond and Savannah, Ga. — […]

Read More…

San Francisco cable cars to be replaced with buses for 10 days NEWSWIRE

Powerhouse

The gearboxes inside the Hyde Street powerhouse that propel San Francisco’s iconic cable cars will be rebuilt starting Sept. 13. Justin Franz SAN FRANCISCO – If you are planning a trip to the City by the Bay to ride its iconic cable cars, you’ll be out of luck for 10 days starting Sept. 13. San […]

Read More…

Sound Transit breaks ground on latest light rail extension NEWSWIRE

Sound_Transit_logo

LYNNWOOD, Wash. — Sound Transit broke ground Tuesday on its latest light rail extension, an 8.5-mile, four-stop extension north to the Snohomish County community of Lynnwood. When it opens in 2024, the extension promises riders the ability to travel from Lynnwood to downtown Seattle in 28 minutes, and will see trains every 4 to 6 […]

Read More…

Texas legislators look to revive plans for Austin-San Antonio rail service NEWSWIRE

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas state legislators are trying to revive a long-proposed commuter rail service between Austin and San Antonio. The San Antonio Current reports that 20 state representatives have sent a letter to the chairman of the House Transportation Committee requesting a feasibility study of rail service prior to the 2021 legislative session. The […]

Read More…

Ask Trains: Is that Talgo’s tilt normal?

AskTrainsTalgoTilt

A Series 6 Talgo trainset is examined after 125-mph operation at the Transportation Test Center in Pueblo, Colo., in 1998. Bob Johnston Q: In the Sept. 2019 Passenger column on Page 18, I see that a Series 6 Talgo locomotive is leaning while being inspected. Was that tilt normal? — Robert Muckey, Williamson, N.Y. A: […]

Read More…

Analysis: Amtrak surrenders valuable tool with retirement of last dome car NEWSWIRE

Amtrak_Dome_1_Johnston

The Ocean View attracts attention on Amtrak’s Gulf Coast inspection train at Lake City, Fla., on Feb. 19, 2016. Bob Johnston The late Amtrak CEO Joe Boardman dines with wife Joanne aboard the Ocean View, hosting a dinner for Southwest Chief inspection train attendees at La Junta, Colo. on Aug. 4, 2016.   Bob Johnston […]

Read More…

Amtrak suspends ‘Palmetto’ service, extends cancellations for Florida trains NEWSWIRE

Amtrak2

WASHINGTON — Amtrak has expanded its train cancellations and schedule modifications because of severe weather anticipated because of Hurricane Dorian. Today (Sept. 3) the southbound Palmetto will operate only between New York and Washington, D.C., with service cancelled from Washington to Richmond, Va. The northbound Palmetto will operate as scheduled. Wednesday, Sept. 4, and Thursday, […]

Read More…

Brightline, Tri-Rail to resume operations Wednesday NEWSWIRE

Brightline_Logo

MIAMI — South Florida’s two local rail operators will resume service on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Brightline/Virgin Trains USA will resume service with $10 fares through Sunday, Sept. 8. Visit the Brightline website for schedules and more information. Commuter railroad Tri-Rail will also resume service Wednesday after reporting it expects to have its corridor completely restored […]

Read More…

Faster running delayed again on Chicago-St. Louis Amtrak route NEWSWIRE

LincolnService_1_Johnston

Lincoln Service train No. 302 speeds through Odell, Ill., in November 2016. Bob Johnston Lincoln Service train No. 304 creeps at 30 mph on KCS-owned trackage through Granite City, Ill., in May 2014. UP track at right is signaled for 79 mph southbound only. Norfolk Southern’s ex-Wabash route is at left. Speeds had not been […]

Read More…