TOKYO — A power outage that disrupted train service on the Japanese island of Kyushu was caused by a slug. The mollusk was electrocuted when it made its way into a trackside device, an investigation has concluded. The rail operator on Japan’s southernmost island, JR Kyushu, announced the findings on Sunday. The company had to […]
A New York-bound NJ Transit train crosses the Portal Bridge in October 2018. The bridge, more than a century old, is one component of the Gateway Project for Northeast Corridor infrastructure. Ralph Spielman NEW YORK — Legislatures in New York and New Jersey have passed identical bills creating the Gateway Project Development Commission, a key […]
SAN JOSE, Calif. — A grand jury report has blasted the San Jose area’s public transit system as “one of the most expensive and least efficient … in the country,” the San Jose Mercury News reports. The report released last week says the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, which operates bus and light rail systems, […]
A special Metra train promoting visits to the Pullman National Monument arrives at the 111th/Pullman station on the Metra Electric line. In the background is Pullman’s landmark Clock Tower building, surrounded in scaffolding for its renovation. Metra photo by Courtney Aubrecht Passengers on Metra’s special train to the Pullman National Monument detrain at Pullman. Metra […]
An eastbound mid-day PATH train from Newark has just left the Harrison, N.J., station on its way to New York City’s World Trade Center station in October 2018. PATH has announced plans to expand capacity on this and other lines. Ralph Spielman NEW YORK —Officials have unveiled a $1-billion, three-year plan to increase capacity on […]
Virgin Trains USA President Patrick Goddard speaks at Monday’s ceremony to mark construction of the Virgin Trains route from West Palm Beach to Orlando, Fla. Construction is already under way on four fronts. RJ Hill Photo & Video/courtesy Virgin Trains USA ORLANDO, Fla. — Virgin Trains USA formally ushered in the “red spike era” Monday […]
A Brightline train approaches MiamiCentral station on new track on May 11, 2018. Bob Johnston This article is the fourth of five on transit in the U.S. and North America. Read parts One, Two, Three, and Five online. The Sunshine State: tourists flocking to Orlando, college kids on spring break, retirees riding golf carts, international […]
Boston & Maine’s train to Berlin, N.H., follows the Connecticut River north of White River Junction, Vt. Jim Shaughnessy photo […]
The westbound Sunset Limited, right, and eastbound Golden State Limited — the premier trains on their respective routes — meet near Colton, Calif. Classic Trains collection […]
Original dome car Silver Dome was at Lincoln, Neb., in 1963. It was different from production model dome cars with its square windows and corner vents. Jim C. Seacrest photo […]
TAMPA, Fla. — Florida passenger train advocate and railway preservationist John McQuigg has died, his family announced. McQuigg, 87, passed away June 16. An unwavering passenger train supporter, he advocated for better Amtrak operations in his state, and he, along with other volunteers, were instrumental in saving Tampa Union Station. He served on the Friends […]
The first of 152 new Siemens light rail vehicles was unveiled by Seattle’s Sound Transit on Wednesday. Sound Transit Sound Transit says the new equipment has wider aisles, more luggage space and more bike capacity than current light rail vehicles. Sound Transit SEATTLE — The first of 152 new Siemens light rail vehicles for Sound […]
