More Thursday rail news in brief:
NJ Transit’s board of directors has approved the purchase of eight Bombardier ALP-45A dual-mode locomotives, adding to a purchase of 17 of the locomotives that was approved in 2017. The new order will cost approximately $70.5 million, with delivery expected to begin in the first quarter of 2022. In diesel mode, the ALP-45A will meet EPA Tier 4 environmental standards. They will allow retirement of some of NJ Transit’s Alstom PL42AC locomotives, which have EMD 710 prime movers that cannot be upgraded to meet the current environmental standards.
Colorado county asks San Luis & Rio Grande judge to consider local needs
The Rio Grande County, Colo., Board of Commissioners has asked the bankruptcy judge presiding over the case of the San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad to take into consideration the needs of the communities served by the railroad. The Conejos County Citizen reports the board is asking surrounding counties affected by the bankruptcy to join in its motion before the court. Board member John Noffsker told the paper, “We want the best interest of the public and their needs to be heard by the judge before a decision is made. … If a buyer comes in and doesn’t take the community’s needs into consideration, it could be detrimental to our economy.” The railroad is one of several Iowa Pacific properties placed into receivership last year [see “San Luis & Rio Grande, Mount Hood Railroad placed into receivership,” Trains News Wire, Sept. 13, 2019].
North Carolina’s Tweetsie Railroad to reopen
The Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock, N.C., will reopen with limited weekend operations beginning Friday. The tourist railroad and amusement park will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Capacity will be limited as part of COVID-19 mitigation efforts, so a ticket pre-purchase for a specific date and train-ride time is required. Season-pass holders will have priority for opening-weekend reservations; any remaining tickets will be available to the general public beginning Friday by calling 877-893-3874. For more information, visit the Tweetsie Railroad website.
