More Thursday morning rail news:
Crew member’s medical emergency reportedly leads to NS derailment in Georgia (updated)
Injuries were reported when a Norfolk Southern locomotive struck and derailed a CSX train in Augusta, Ga., on Wednesday evening. WRDW/WAGT-TV reports 17 cars were derailed of a CSX intermodal train with two locomotives and 55 cars, 42 of them loaded. CSX reports its crew members were not injured. Norfolk Southern said its crew sought treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. The Augusta Chronicle reported earlier that the accident occurred about 6 p.m., and that no hazardous materials were reported to be involved. The newspaper cited a report from Augusta Fire that a crew member’s medical emergency led to the incident.
Virginia senator to withdraw amendment tying DC Metro funding to renaming station to include bank name
A Virginia legislator is removing an amendment from a bill that would have withheld funds from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority unless it included the name of a bank in a station name, a day after the amendment came to light. The Washington Post reports that state Sen. Janet D. Howell (D-Fairfax) said she is removing the amendment after a “compromise” that will see DC Metro add signs at its McLean, Va., station to direct riders to Capital One Hall, a performance venue the bank is building on its campus near the station. The amendment would have withheld $166 million or more in funds if Metro didn’t rename the station “McLean-Capital One Hall.” [see “Digest: Fire extinguished …,” Trains News Wire, Feb. 24, 2021].
SEPTA to reallocate COVID relief funds to free up money for King of Prussia project
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is proposing to use $40 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds to free up money for design and engineering work for its King of Prussia rail extension, drawing concern from transit advocates that the move could adversely affect service levels. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports the SEPTA board will vote today on the proposal to reallocate the funds to pay its lease for use of tracks owned by Amtrak, which in turn would free money from the capital budget for the King of Prussia project. A SEPTA official said the move “should have no effect on our ability to transport our riders safely.” The long-discussed 3.5-mile King of Prussia extension has recently regained momentum, including release last month by the Federal Transit Administration of the final environmental report and record of decision [See “Digest: FTA releases final environmental document …,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 16, 2021].
— Updated at 7:25 a.m. with additional details on CSX/NS accident.
