South Carolina mayor lashes out at NS over grade-crossing blockage; legislator proposes stiff penalties NEWSWIRE

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A screenshot from a video on the North Charleston, S.C., city government Facebook page shows Mayor Keith Summey standing in the middle of a railroad track to harshly criticize Norfolk Southern over daytime work that blocked a busy grade crossing. North Charleston city government Facebook page NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — North Charleston’s mayor has taken […]

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Kentucky company launches line of new tourist railroad passenger cars NEWSWIRE

STEARNS, Ky. — A restoration shop in Kentucky is branching out to produce new open-air passenger cars for tourist lines. Crossroads Railcar Services, which refurbishes passenger cars in the former Kentucky & Tennessee Railway steam shop in Stearns, Ky., has begun construction on the prototype for what is planned to be a full line of […]

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MARTA preparations for Super Bowl include expanded service NEWSWIRE

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ATLANTA — With the city bracing for the arrival of a huge number of visitors for Super Bowl week, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority is anticipating anywhere from 30,000 to 90,000 additional daily riders, expanding schedules to accommodate the influx. Numerous road closures will make driving to the game a poor choice. “Please, please, […]

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Brightline offering free rides for federal employees NEWSWIRE

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MIAMI — Brightline is now offering free rides for federal employees hit by the government shutdown. The Florida passenger service announced the move on Friday. Federal employees who present a government-issued employee ID to agents at its West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami stations will receive complimentary rides in Smart class until the government […]

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CSX Florida Panhandle route line-sale deal falls through NEWSWIRE

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CSX’s Florida Panhandle route TRAINS: Rick Johnson/Steve Sweeney JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It’s a failure to launch for the Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad. Federal regulators had approved the sale of 373 miles of CSX Transportation trackage across the Florida Panhandle, effective Jan. 6, but CSX and short line operator RailUSA scuttled their deal last week. […]

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UPDATE: Georgia town’s residents return home after chlorine cars’ derailment prompts evacuation NEWSWIRE

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Bartow, Ga. Google Maps BARTOW, Ga. — Residents in a southern Georgia town are returning to their homes this morning now that officials say they’re not at risk from a derailed freight train with chlorine-filled tank cars. Norfolk Southern confirms that a train derailed shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday near Bartow, about 150 miles southeast […]

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Brightline/Virgin adds to rush-hour, weekend service NEWSWIRE

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A Brightline train heads toward Miami Central station in May 2018. Bob Johnston MIAMI — Beginning this week, travelers commuting between West Palm Beach or Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and downtown Miami have more rush-hour frequencies to choose from. Brightline, now officially known as Virgin Trains USA, on Wednesday supplemented its near-hourly weekday schedule with an […]

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Court throws out latest suit by county opposing Brightline expansion NEWSWIRE

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A northbound Brightline train rolls into Fort Lauderdale on May 12, 2018. The passenger service, being rebranded as Virgin Trains USA, has won a key court ruling over its sale of bonds. Bob Johnston MIAMI — A judge has thrown out the latest in a series of lawsuits against Brightline/Virgin Trains USA by a Florida county […]

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Music City Star cuts one Friday evening train to exempt itself from PTC rules NEWSWIRE

NASHVILLE — Music City Star riders may miss a Friday evening ride after today — all because of positive train control. The Regional Transportation Authority’s board of directors recently announced a new Music City Star schedule recently that eliminates a Friday evening round trip between Nashville and Lebanon, Tenn. The schedule also modifies arrival and […]

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Winter storm leads to Amtrak cancellations in southeast NEWSWIRE

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NEW YORK — Amtrak has cancelled or altered service on a number of trains in the Southeastern U.S. because of a severe winter storm, with some of the changes effective through Tuesday. The cancellations began Saturday. The following trains have been cancelled for today (Sunday, Dec. 9): — Auto Trains No. 52 and 53 between […]

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MARTA board approves Atlanta-area commuter train NEWSWIRE

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ATLANTA — The board for Atlanta’s transit agency has approved plans for a 22-mile commuter rail line to operate south of the city. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit District board voted on Thursday to approve plans for the line to serve Clayton County, from the existing MARTA rail transit East Point Station to Lovejoy, Ga., […]

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Virgin Trains reveals Tampa expansion details; strikes deal with Martin County, opponent group NEWSWIRE

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The airport PeopleMover and control tower are visible in this view looking north from the platform of Virgin Trains USA’s Orlando Airport station from Jan. 30, 2018. Room has been provided for platforms for SunRail commuter trains, but those platforms have not yet been built. Bob Johnston A northbound Florida East Coast freight with LNG […]

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