Friday morning rail news:
— Norfolk Southern has informed customers that Pan Am Railways’ Hoosac Tunnel in Western Massachusetts is now expected to remain out of service until mid-March, following the partial collapse of a wall in the 145-year-old tunnel on Feb. 12. The closure affects the line between Mechanicville, N.Y., and Ayer, Mass.; NS general merchandise traffic to Ayer is operating via a detour, but automotive traffic to Ayer is embarged and intermodal gates are closed to all traffic to and from Ayer. The railroad says shippers should expect delays of 48-72 hours.
— Wyoming’s House of Representatives has passed legislation that would mandate train crews of two or more people on all Class I rail movements in the state. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Stan Blake (D-Green River, Wyo.), a Union Pacific employee, passed 37-22, the Casper Star-Tribune reports.
— DC Metro has received the last two cars in a 748-car equipment order from Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc., WMAU radio reports. Delivery of the 7000-series cars, built in Nebraska, began in 2015; the cars now make up about 60% of Metro’s equipment fleet.
— The former city manager of Lake Forest, Ill., has entered a plea deal that could spare him from felony charges or jail time for unauthorized payments to a lobbying firm, part of an effort to get an Amtrak stop for the Chicago North Shore suburb. Illinois Policy reports that Robert Keily pleaded guilty to one count of attempted official misconduct over the payments of almost $200,000 to the lobbying firm.
