New Mexico Rail Runner looks at spur for balloon fiesta NEWSWIRE

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New Mexico Rail Runner could build a new spur for balloon fiesta traffic. Trains: Jim Wrinn ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Despite previous setbacks, attendees of a popular hot-air balloon event in New Mexico could still eventually arrive by rail. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque, N.M., is reporting that local city government is considering the construction of a spur […]

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New York MTA proposal would reorganize agency, provide funding through congestion pricing NEWSWIRE

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A Staten Island Railway train pauses at Huguenot station. A new proposal would consolidate some functions of the Staten Island Railway, New York subway, and other rail operations as part of a restructuring of the MTA. Ralph Spielman A Poughkeepsie-bound Hudson Line Metro-North commuter train stops at 125th Street station in Manhattan. A new proposal […]

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Amtrak CEO says ‘human error’ caused signal problems that snarled traffic at Chicago Union Station (UPDATED) NEWSWIRE

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Metra and Amtrak trains move into Chicago Union Station in March 2017. Traffic in and out of Union Station was snarled for much of Thursday by Amtrak signal issues. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson has offered an explanation and an apology for signal problems at Chicago Union Station that snarled Metra […]

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A llama riding light rail? Even in Portland, Ore., that’s against the rules NEWSWIRE

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“Caesar the No-Drama Llama” meets a fan at the Oregon Convention Center light rail station. The animal’s trip aboard a light rail train was against the rules, officials subsequently confirmed. From Caesar The No-Drama Llama’s Facebook page PORTLAND, Ore. — In a city known for such oddities as a unicycle-riding, fire-breathing bagpiper, a llama riding […]

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UPDATE: Dates set for ‘Zephyr,’ ‘Starlight’ service to resume after snow disruptions NEWSWIRE

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RENO, Nev. — Amtrak has announced plans to resume full service on its California Zephyr and Coast Starlight routes, both currently disrupted after snow-related closures. According to Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari, the first Zephyrs to cross Donner Pass after that route was closed by a Feb. 26 avalanche near Truckee, Calif., are scheduled to do […]

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‘City of New Orleans’ route truncated indefinitely by flood mitigation

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JACKSON, Miss. – Beginning Thursday, and just days before the big Mardi Gras weekend, Amtrak’s City of New Orleans from Chicago will start making a same day turn at Jackson with chartered Amtrak Thruway buses making all scheduled intermediate stops to and from the Crescent City. The northbound bus will leave New Orleans Passenger terminal […]

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Drumming up support for California high speed rail NEWSWIRE

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Next week will be critical for California high speed rail as the agency responsible for managing the project must reply to the U.S. Department of Transportation by March 5. DOT is looking to cancel a $929 million grant and recover $2.6 billion in funds already delivered. The Rail Passengers Association is working […]

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NJ Transit sets May 24 for return of Atlantic City, Princeton rail lines NEWSWIRE

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Brown, rusted rails on the lower-level tracks at NJ Transit’s Lindenwold, N.J., station attest to the lack of activity on the commuter railroad’s Atlantic City Line, closed since September 2018. Service will be restored in May, NJ Transit has announced. Ralph Spielman NEWARK, N.J. — The long wait for restoration of service on NJ Transit’s […]

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South Shore approves contract with Metra; deal runs through 2024 NEWSWIRE

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A South Shore commuter train approaches the Hegewisch station in south Chicago. A new contract between South Shore and Metra covers South Shore’s service to Hegewisch, in Metra’s service area, as well as South Shore’s use of 14 miles of Metra trackage. TRAINS: David Lassen CHESTERTON, Ind. — The South Shore commuter system has approved […]

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Amtrak to post matching-grant funds for ‘Southwest Chief’ NEWSWIRE

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WASHINGTON — Amtrak has informed federal, state and local officials along the route of the daily Southwest Chief that, with the enactment of the recent full-year funding bill by Congress, it will provide matching funds to enable a federal grant to be awarded for safety and reliability upgrades on the train’s route in Kansas, Colorado, […]

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At least 25 dead as train accident leads to fire in Cairo station NEWSWIRE

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At least 25 people are reported dead after this locomotive rammed into a bumper post at high speed, setting off a fire in Cairo’s main train station. Associated Press/Nariman El-Mofty CAIRO — At least 25 people have been killed and 50 injured in a fire at Cairo’s main train station, which ignited after after a […]

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Steam on London’s Underground in central London likely for last time in June NEWSWIRE

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Steam on the Underground in 2013 – Metropolitan Railway No. 1 next to a brand new Underground train at Moorgate station. Keith Fender LONDON — Transit agency Transport for London has announced plans to commemorate 150 years of the city’s District Line subway route by running steam hauled trains on part of the system June […]

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