CHESTERTON, Ind. — The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District remains hopeful that it can open the South Shore Line’s new West Lake Corridor in late August or early September, but that would require shaving more than a month off the contractors’ current estimate. Lakeshore Public Media reports NICTD President Mike Noland told the agency’s board […]
Type of Train: Passenger/Transit
New map introduced for New York City subways
NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has unveiled a redesigned version of its subway map, an instantly recognizable symbol of New York City and its transportation. The new design, the first since 1979, offers a more stylized, diagrammatic style than the more geographically accurate current version. The MTA says the white background, bold colors, […]
APM Terminals acquires Panama Canal Railway from CPKC and Lanco Group/Mi-Jack
CALGARY, Alberta – Canadian Pacific Kansas City and the Lanco Group/Mi-Jack have sold the Panama Canal Railway to APM Terminals, a global terminal operator and an independent division of A.P. Moller-Maersk. The 47.6-mile railway provides ocean-to-ocean freight and passenger services along the Panama Canal and has been a 50/50 joint venture between CPKC subsidiary Kansas […]
Overnight dreams — Lunatrain targets the Northeast: Analysis
Second of two parts Two companies, Dreamstar Lines and Lunatrain, are seeking to revive U.S. interest in overnight train travel, noting the resurgence of such trips in Europe. Part one of this analysis (available here) looked at Dreamstar, which is focused on service between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Today, part two looks at Lunatrain, […]
Trackage rights in the timetable era
Q: I’m currently planning a layout that features several railroads, including a mythical short line that has to use running rights with the larger railroads. How would these running rights work in regards to timetables and train orders? And how would clearance cards be issued? Would there be a clearance card issued by each road, […]
Transit agency requests emergency permit to address threats to Southern California’s Surf Line
ORANGE, Calif. — Citing “ongoing threats” to service on the Surf Line route used by Amtrak, Metrolink, and BNSF Railway, the Orange County Transportation Authority on Monday (March 31, 2025) submitted an emergency permit request to the California Coastal Commission for stabilization work above the rail line in San Clemente, Calif. The OCTA says the […]
Alstom signs seven-year contract extension for JFK AirTrain
NEW YORK — Alstom has signed a seven-year contract extension to continue to operate and maintain the AirTrain at New York’s JFK International Airport, the company announced. The contract with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is worth approximately $518 million. Alstom designed and built the AirTrain system and has been operating […]
Private operators’ overnight-train dreams: Analysis
First of two parts Before jets dominated air travel and a fully developed, publicly funded interstate highway system crisscrossed the U.S., many North American city pairs were linked by dusk to dawn passenger trains. Two companies are seeking to revive that travel option. Prospective U.S. operators Dreamstar and Lunatrain are citing a recent resurgence of […]
State legislation seeks to kill funding for Twin Cities-Duluth passenger train
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Bills introduced in the Minnesota legislature are seeking to redirect to highway maintenance money the state has already set aside for a Twin Cities-Duluth passenger train. HF 1167, introduced by Rep. Patti Anderson (R-Dellwood), and SF 250, introduced by five Senate Republicans, would block the spending of $194 million allotted by […]
Some Santa Clara VTA light rail service resumes
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Some light rail service has now been restored by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, after delays caused by copper-wire theft while the system was shut down by a strike. KGO-TV reports Orange Line service resumed shortly after 10 a.m. today (March 31), while a portion of Blue Line service, between […]
Restoration of Amtrak Cascades service to begin Tuesday, April 1
SEATTLE — Amtrak is scheduled to begin restoring Cascades service on Tuesday, April 1, as repositioned Amfleet equipment replaced the sidelined Horizon railcars, the Washington State Department of Transportation said in a statement today (March 31, 2025). Since Amtrak removed 70 Horizon cars — including 26 in Cascades service — from service last week because […]
East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 6 | Installing subroadbed
David keeps the hammer down and drill humming, as he works to install the joists and subroadbed sections across the entire HO scale East Troy Industrial Park (ETIP) model railroad. Watch, learn, and discover clever insights to adding the critical components used to create realistic trackwork and scenery set at various elevations. Be sure to […]
