LYNNWOOD, Wash. — Sound Transit broke ground Tuesday on its latest light rail extension, an 8.5-mile, four-stop extension north to the Snohomish County community of Lynnwood. When it opens in 2024, the extension promises riders the ability to travel from Lynnwood to downtown Seattle in 28 minutes, and will see trains every 4 to 6 […]
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas state legislators are trying to revive a long-proposed commuter rail service between Austin and San Antonio. The San Antonio Current reports that 20 state representatives have sent a letter to the chairman of the House Transportation Committee requesting a feasibility study of rail service prior to the 2021 legislative session. The […]
Big Boy No, 4014 is back on the main line Sept. 27. Trains: Jim Wrinn CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 will depart Cheyenne on Sept. 27 for its fall tour that will cover much of the southwest and southern U.S. served by the UP. The railroad on Wednesday released operating and […]
BOSTON — Union Pacific today lowered its volume outlook for the rest of the year as tougher truck competition, reduced demand for coal, and uncertainty over global trade continued to weigh on rail traffic. UP’s volumes are down 7% for the third quarter to date, Chief Financial Officer Rob Knight told an investor conference today. […]
WASHINGTON — Union Pacific has vigorously defended its plan to reduce switching to a California water-treatment chemical company that has asked federal regulators to force the railroad to maintain five-day per week service. Hasa, which makes and distributes water sanitation chemicals, claimed in August that reduced service would lead to product shortages and ultimately threaten […]
A Series 6 Talgo trainset is examined after 125-mph operation at the Transportation Test Center in Pueblo, Colo., in 1998. Bob Johnston Q: In the Sept. 2019 Passenger column on Page 18, I see that a Series 6 Talgo locomotive is leaning while being inspected. Was that tilt normal? — Robert Muckey, Williamson, N.Y. A: […]
Providence & Worcester GE “Super 7” B23-7R No. 2215 leads Connecticut Southern train CSO-4 on Amtrak rails at Windsor, Conn., June 3, 2019. Scott A. Hartley Q: What were the Providence & Worcester Railroad’s colors in 2000? — Chris Carlson, Ottawa, Ont. A: In 2015, the year before Providence & Worcester was purchased by Genesee […]
Q: I recently visited the Foster Townsend facility by the river in St. Louis and was informed that it is now part of Metro East Industries. Can you confirm? — John Foster, Gloucester, England A: Upon checking with railfans familiar with St. Louis, they confirmed that the shops you visited are leased out to Metro […]
The Ocean View attracts attention on Amtrak’s Gulf Coast inspection train at Lake City, Fla., on Feb. 19, 2016. Bob Johnston The late Amtrak CEO Joe Boardman dines with wife Joanne aboard the Ocean View, hosting a dinner for Southwest Chief inspection train attendees at La Junta, Colo. on Aug. 4, 2016. Bob Johnston […]
WASHINGTON — Amtrak has expanded its train cancellations and schedule modifications because of severe weather anticipated because of Hurricane Dorian. Today (Sept. 3) the southbound Palmetto will operate only between New York and Washington, D.C., with service cancelled from Washington to Richmond, Va. The northbound Palmetto will operate as scheduled. Wednesday, Sept. 4, and Thursday, […]
MIAMI — South Florida’s two local rail operators will resume service on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Brightline/Virgin Trains USA will resume service with $10 fares through Sunday, Sept. 8. Visit the Brightline website for schedules and more information. Commuter railroad Tri-Rail will also resume service Wednesday after reporting it expects to have its corridor completely restored […]
CSX is upgrading 25 SD70ACs at Huntington, W.Va. Chris Anderson HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — CSX’s fleet of aging SD70AC locomotives has mostly sat stored for the last several years, but a new upgrade program could see the diesels return to the road for years to come. CSX’s Huntington Heavy Repair shop in West Virginia is reworking […]
