NTSB to meet May 21 on fatal ‘Amtrak Cascades’ derailment NEWSWIRE

National Transportation Safety Board logo

WASHINGTON – The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a board meeting May 21, 2019, at 1 p.m. to determine the probable cause of the fatal Dec. 18, 2017, Amtrak Cascades accident near DuPont, Wash. Three passengers were killed and 65 others including passengers, crew, and occupants of highway vehicles were injured when Amtrak train No. […]

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Amtrak, state add weekend trips for Michigan flower festival NEWSWIRE

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HOLLAND, Mich. – See five million blooming tulips, not brake lights and toll booths, this May 4 and 11 when Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation offer additional service between Chicago and Holland for the annual Tulip Time Festival. These trains on the daily Pere Marquette route, sponsored by MDOT, will run on two […]

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California awards grant for temporary Amtrak stop in Indio for music festivals NEWSWIRE

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Indio, Calif. Google Maps PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Funding has been awarded to establish passenger rail service for two high-profile California music festivals. The Desert Sun newspaper reports that the California State Transportation Agency granted $5.9 million to fund temporary Amtrak service to Indio, Calif., to benefit those attending the Coachella Valley Music and Arts […]

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DC METRO commutes interrupted for Bald Eagle rescue on Wednesday NEWSWIRE

WMATA workers rescue injured Bald Eagle.

WMATA via Twitter WASHINGTON — The rapid transit line in the nation’s capital was brought to a stand-still thanks to an unconventional, yet patriotic, rescue mission. Crews rescued an injured Bald Eagle found lying along the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority rail line Wednesday afternoon. According to Metro’s Twitter account, the eagle was found near […]

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NJ Transit board approves new maintenance, storage facility NEWSWIRE

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A site plan for NJ Transit’s new maintenance and storage facility in New Brunswick, N.J. Courtesy NJ Transit A conceptual image of NJ Transit’s new service and inspection facility in New Brunswick, N.J. Courtesy NJ Transit NEWARK, N.J. — To Amtrak operating crews, it’s a 4.5-mile-long, underutilized freight yard complex; to commuters and regional travelers, it’s […]

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Texas Central ramping up land acquisition efforts in bullet train project NEWSWIRE

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HOUSTON — A high-speed rail project in Texas could see significant growth in the near future as land acquisition efforts by the developing company are ramped up. According to a Community Impact Newspaper report, Texas Central, the company undertaking the project, has acquired about 30 percent of the land parcels needed to support the land […]

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Transit center proposed as key part of development over Metra tracks near Soldier Field NEWSWIRE

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This view from Metra’s 11th Street/Museum Campus station looks toward Soldier Field. The area over the Metra tracks by the stadium is the site for a proposed multibillion-dollar development, which also would include a new transit center. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — A multibillion-dollar development proposed for the air rights over Metra tracks next to […]

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Canadian government provides C$1 billion for Edmonton light rail expansion NEWSWIRE

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EDMONTON, Alberta – The Government of Canada is providing more than C$1 billion for two Edmonton light rail expansion projects through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. Additionally, the Government of Alberta is contributing about C$1.17 billion through the Climate Leadership Plan, and the City of Edmonton is providing about C$706 million. The Valley Line […]

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Congressman wants answers from Amtrak CEO on Chicago signal meltdown NEWSWIRE

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Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) is requesting detailed answers from Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson about February’s signal failure at Chicago Union Station. More than 100,000 Amtrak and Metra passengers had trips disrupted by the Feb. 28 signal problems at Chicago Union Station. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — The chairman of the House subcommittee on railroads is […]

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Metra plans extra service for St. Patrick’s parades NEWSWIRE

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A Metra Rock Island train arrives at the Midlothian station in December 2018. The Rock Island line will have additional service on Saturday and Sunday for St. Patrick’s Day events, while a number of other Metra routes will see additional trains Saturday for Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — Metra will […]

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Legislation would require ‘doomsday’ plan for Hudson tunnel failure NEWSWIRE

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Stephen Gardner of Amtrak explains details of the storm-damaged North River Tunnel beneath the Hudson River during a Jan. 28, 2019, inspection trip for elected officials. Two congressmen are introducing legislation requiring the federal government to have a contingency plan in case of a tunnel failure. Pool photo/Ed Murray, New Jersey Advance Media for NJ.com […]

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Passenger found dead on ‘Silver Star’ at Washington NEWSWIRE

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WASHINGTON – The Metropolitan Police Department responded to a report of a deceased passenger on Amtrak train No. 92, the northbound Silver Star, at Washington Union Station on Monday, WUSA-TV reports. Police do not suspect any “criminal activity” took place. Passengers continuing north were accommodated on another train. The Silver Star operates daily between Miami […]

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