Pacific Surfliner between L.A. and San Diego, Metrolink service to Oceanside to resume

Blue and silver-painted locomotive at a station platform surrounding by brown steel work and palm trees. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner renewable diesel.

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — The long disruption of Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink service in south Orange County is about to end. As of Monday, April 17, full daily Pacific Surfliner service between Los Angeles and San Diego — halted in September 2022 — will resume, as well as Metrolink service to Oceanside, Calif. Passenger traffic […]

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Virginia seeks additional funding for Long Bridge project

Aerial-view rendering of bridge across river

RICHMOND, Va. — The cost of a second rail bridge over the Potomac River — a key part of Virginia’s plan for major expansion of Amtrak and commuter-rail service on the I-95 corridor south from Washington, D.C.— has risen substantially, leading to a $389 million shortfall, the Washington Post reports.= The new two-track Long Bridge […]

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Wheelset, track problems led to Missouri theme park derailment, report says

Two-foot gauge steam locomotive at theme park

BRANSON, Mo. — A series of wheelset and track issues led to the derailment of a theme-park railroad in October 2022, according to a report released by the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office. One employee and six passengers were injured in the derailment on the 2-foot gauge“Frisco Silver Dollar Line Steam Train” at the Silver […]

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Del Mar Bluffs project receives state funding

Amtrak passenger train moves along tracks on coastal bluff in light fog.

DEL MAR, Calif. — The California Transportation Commission has awarded more than $37 million to the San Diego Association of Governments for its continuing project to stabilize the rail line along Del Mar Bluffs, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The next phase in the project, scheduled to begin in November, is expected to cost more […]

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MBTA sets April service outages for track repairs

Workmen repair track

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has announced a significant number of service disruptions in April for track work to address speed restrictions on its rail rapid transit network, as well as some commuter rail work. No work is planned the weekend of April 15-16 because of anticipated increased ridership for Boston Marathon events. […]

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MBTA debuts new speed restriction dashboard

Map of transit system with box showing data on speed restriction

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Board is now providing online information on speed restrictions on its rail transit network through on online tool launched on Thursday. The Speed Restriction Dashboard provides information on the location, speed limit, date a restriction was put in place, and the reason for the restriction, on the Red, Orange, […]

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South Dakota governor signs bill to fund rehabilitation of short line

Map of the Twin Cities & Western Railroad and its two related rail lines

PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has signed a bill authorizing $6.25 million in state funding for the rehabilitation of the Sisseton-Milbank Railroad, a 37-mile short line with a badly deteriorated right-of-way needed to move agricultural products. KXLG Radio reports Noem signed Senate Bill 16 earlier this week. The appropriation from the state’s […]

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Swiss gauge-changing trains temporarily restricted to narrow-gauge operation

Bright green locomotive on passenger train in snow-covered mountain town

MONTREUX, Switzerland — Concerns over excessive track wear have led the innovative Swiss Golden Pass Express trains that switch from meter gauge to standard gauge to be temporarily restricted to meter-gauge operations. The Golden Pass Express, or GPX, trains, began operating late last year on the route between Montreux and Interlaken [see “Swiss gauge-changing Panoramic […]

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MBTA lifts last global speed restriction

Light rail vehicle in subway station

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority lifted the last of the global speed restrictions on its rapid transit lines on Sunday night, ending the blanket 25-mph restriction on the Green Line. The agency said in a press release that the overall slow order had been replaced by targeted block speed restrictions, which cover about […]

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Comments deadline nears for Brightline West plan to build over Cajon Pass

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — The California Department of Transportation is inviting public comment on the agency’s plan to allow Brightline West to build electrified high-speed tracks adjacent to Interstate 15 for 49 miles across Cajon Pass to Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. This would extend its route from Las Vegas, Nev., past a planned terminus at Apple […]

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CP, Canadian maintenance workers reach contract agreement

Canadian Pacific Railway beaver logo

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific has reached a tentative agreement with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Maintenance-of-Way Employees Division, the railroad said today (March 17). The new contract will cover approximately 2,600 workers. Details will not be released until the agreement is ratified. “By working collaboratively with our valued union partners, we’ve reached another negotiated […]

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MBTA lifts blanket speed restriction on Mattapan Trolley Line

Orange PCC streetcar at station

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has lifted its 25-mph speed restriction on the Mattapan Trolley Line, leaving the Green Line as the only transit route still under a blanket speed restriction. The agency announced the change Thursday on Twitter. The Mattapan Line is still subject to restrictions at specific locations The MBTA briefly instituted […]

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