More Tuesday afternoon rail news:
New MTA map shows trains in motion, reroutes, station information
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority has unveiled a new online subway map offering remarkably detailed real-time information on the subway system. Curbed.com reports the map, using the MTA’s own data streams, makes it possible to follow the movement of individual trains, as well as such information as whether escalators and elevators are working at individual stations, and if lines are being rerouted. Curbed offers an in-depth look at the development of the map, and reports a short documentary on its development will be available shortly.
Washington state seeks federal disaster declaration for bridge destroyed by fire
The state of Washington has asked the federal government to declare a bridge destroyed in a September fire a “major disaster,” which would pave the way to rebuild the 100-year-old structure over the Yakima River near Prosser, Wash. The Associated Press reports the Washington State Short Line Railroad Coalition appealed for the designation because it considers the bridge to be critical infrastructure. It carried about 3,600 carloads — the equivalent of more than 14,500 truckloads of cargo. The Central Washington Railroad bridge, built by the Northern Pacific in 1941, was one of three rail bridges destroyed in wildfires that began Labor Day weekend [see “Digest: Amtrak service restored on Northeast Corridor …,” Trains News Wire, Sept. 9, 2020].
Amtrak begins ‘kids travel free’ flash sale
Amtrak’s latest flash sale, today through Oct. 25, allows one child ages 2-12 to travel for free in coach or business class with each paid adult ticket. The sale is good on Northeast Corridor, national network, and most state-supported trains for travel from Oct. 26 to Dec. 17. Capitol Corridor and Pacific Surfliners are excluded, along with some Thruway bus routes. More information is available at the Amtrak website or on Amtrak smartphone apps.
