More Thursday morning rail news:
— U.S. Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) will introduce legislation to help fund completion of California’s high speed rail project at a Friday event in Madera, Calif. According to a press release, the High-Speed Rail Corridor Development Act of 2020 would provide $32 billion in funding for projects in federal designated high-speed rail corridors.
— Texas Central is offering a first look at interiors of the trains it plans to operate in high speed service between Dallas and Houston. On its website, the company says it will offer two-and-two or two-and-one seating, and is emphasizing the difference between its seating and that of an airplane, with up to 41 inches of seat pitch and 32 inches of legroom.
— Pan-Am Railways’ Hoosac Tunnel remained closed Wednesday following its Feb. 12 closure due to a partial wall collapse in the 135-year-old bore, but expectations are that the route could reopen sometime this week. Norfolk Southern told customers earlier this week the line was expected to reopen Saturday.
— An Oregon bill would prevent police from stopping riders who they believe may not have paid a fare to ride. The bill before the Oregon House of Representatives, introduced by Rep. Diego Hernandez (D-Portland), is in response to concerned about “disparities in fare encorcement, KATU-TV reports. TriMet, the Portland area transit agency, issued a statement opposing the bill.
