Nothing good will come from Wednesday’s dismissal of Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner, who was pushed out as part of the White House’s purge of officials who are not deemed loyal to President Donald Trump. The timing of the move was curious. The Trump administration has been seeking to pull funding for programs it deems wasteful […]
BUSSNANG, Switzerland — Flooding that affected production at plants in three countries delayed completion of almost $400 million in orders, resulting in a significant drop in earnings for Swiss-based rail equipment manufacturer Stadler, the company said in announcing annual financial results on Wednesday, March 19. Still the company continued to gain orders, increasing its order […]
DENVER — Although seasonal revenue round trips between Denver and Salt Lake City won’t debut until April 2026, Rocky Mountaineer single-level SilverLeaf equipment will make a six-day training round trip to the Utah capital next week. It will also be the tour train’s initial departure from Denver Union Station. Beginning this year, passengers will leave […]
WASHINGTON—Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner announced his resignation today (March 19, 2025). No successor has been named. In a statement on Amtrak’s website, Gardner says, “I am stepping down as CEO to ensure that Amtrak continues to enjoy the full faith and confidence of this administration. I am so proud of what the Amtrak team has […]
MECHANICSVILLE, Va. — Global electrical technology firm ABB will collaborate with Stadler on its passenger trainset orders for Metra and Caltrans, ABB said this week. ABB will supply traction converters and batteries for the eight two-car battery-electric trainsets Metra ordered last year [see “Metra signs deal with Stadler US …,” Trains News Wire, Feb. 21, […]
NEW YORK — Escalating a fight between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Trump administration, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has threatened to withhold federal funding if the transit agency does not provide information on how it is addressing crime. In a letter to MTA CEO Janno Lieber, Duffy requested information on how the MTA’s New […]
CHICAGO — Improvements and 52 stations and replacement of 43 grade crossings are part of Metra’s planned capital projects during its 2025 construction season, the commuter rail operator announced Tuesday, March 18. Track, bridge, and signal work is also on the agenda. “We plan to take full advantage of the construction season to address projects […]
Q: I have some questions about streamlined observation cars with rounded ends. What was the purpose/use of the large light located at the end of the roofline of these cars? Is it a white light for reverse moves, or is it a red light similar to a modern day Flashing Rear End Device? Could the […]
FORT WORTH, Texas — A rail authority combining four current or about-to-open commuter rail operations could be an option to help maintain service in North Texas in the face of potential funding cuts, a regional transit official has suggested According to news site Fort Worth Report, Michael Morris, transportation director of the North Central Texas […]
PITTSBURGH — Wabtec will acquire Dellner Couplers, manufacturer of equipment and services for passenger rail rolling stock, in a $960 million deal, the companies announced today (March 18, 2025). Dellner, based in Sweden, has an 84-year history in train connection systems, with about 100,000 couplers and 12,500 gangways installed worldwide. It has production, assembly, and […]
DENVER — Luxury train Rocky Mountaineer is transitioning to a new name in the U.S. — Canyon Spirit — as of 2026, when it will also expand its current route from Denver to Salt Lake City as part of a three-day excursion. The U.S. excursions have operated “Rockies to the Red Rocks” trips under the […]
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s bid for a court order to end a strike by 1,500 workers experienced a setback today (March 17, 2025), as a judge ruled the initial filing was not compliant with court rules. Public broadcaster KQED reports Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Daniel T. Nishigaya […]
