SAN JOSE — The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has asked California Gov. Gavin Newsom to intervene in the strike that enters its second week today (March 17, 2025). In a letter released on Saturday, March 15, the VTA has asked Newsom to appoint a Board of Investigation, which, under a section of the state […]
When the long-anticipated “Hill Lines” merger finally created the Burlington Northern on March 2, 1970, it was time not to mourn the loss of a favorite, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, but to embrace and record the details of the changeover. I had been through this six years before, when the Norfolk & Western […]
Having six intercity passenger terminals at one time, and that doesn’t include the electric interurbans, is a muscle flex to Chicago’s claim as the nation’s railroad capital. That is also why former Trains and Classic Trains Senior Editor J. David Ingles made regular visits to document whatever was left, prior to Amtrak’s formation in May […]
CHICAGO — Miles of downed trees and power lines through rural Missouri and Arkansas over the weekend resulted in half-day delays or truncations for two Texas Eagles. Meanwhile, a Los Angeles-bound Southwest Chief sat for 8 hours in New Mexico when a wind-driven brush fire blocked the right-of-way. Texas Eagle challenges A Washington Post storm […]
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Legislation calling for increased frequencies and reduced travel times for Amtrak Cascades service has passed the Washington state House of Representatives and moved to the Senate. House Bill 1857 passed by a 68-29 vote last Wednesday, March 12, beating a deadline for bills to advance out of their house of origin by […]
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — Bridge replacements or repairs for a proposed commuter rail service in Santa Cruz County could cost almost $1 billion, a consulting firm has determined. The news site Lookout Santa Cruz reports staff from the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission and engineering firm HDR Inc. told a meeting this week that […]
Classic Trains Film Archive | C&O, Clinchfield, NYC, and other eastern railroads, J. David Ingles Reel 0045 – Follow along with former Classic Trains Senior Editor J. David Ingles’ trackside treks in the 1960s. Here, you’ll see Eastern Tennessee & Western North Carolina standard gauge steam, the famed Clinchfield Railroad, Chesapeake & Ohio in Kentucky […]
BOSTON — No injuries were reported after a minor collision between two Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Green Line trolleys on Wednesday evening, WCVB-TV reports. MBTA CEO Phillip Eng told reporters during a Thursday media event that one of the trains rolled about 3 feet into the other train, and the two trains coupled. “Technically, it […]
SEATTLE — Sound Transit has selected its preferred candidate to become the agency’s new CEO and is beginning negotiations with that candidate. The Seattle Times reports that the final five candidates for the position include chief executives of four other U.S. transit agencies, as well as King County Executive Dow Constantine, currently part of the […]
GP30s stand in the foreground as F9s lead the westbound Rio Grande Zephyr up the Front Range toward the Moffat tunnel in the 1970s. Classic Trains coll. […]
WASHINGTON — Amtrak has updated its mobile app to include the ability to select seats when booking tickets on trains with assigned seating. The feature is available when purchasing tickets for Acela trains, as well as for business class on the Northeast Regional, Palmetto, Vermonter, and Carolinian. Other features include updates on train status and […]
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is going to court in an effort to end a strike by more than 1,500 of its workers. Public broadcaster KQED reports the VTA has filed a complaint in Santa Clara County Superior Court alleging the strike is a breach of contract and an act […]
