Pacific Surfliners to require reservations for Thanksgiving period, set plans for December closure of LA Union Station

Passenger train rounds curve with tower and commuter train in background

ORANGE, Calif. — Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner is instituting its annual requirement for advance reservations during the Thanksgiving holiday period — and has announced operating plans for the four-day period in late December when trains will be unable to stop at Los Angeles Union Station because of track and signal work. Reservations will be required Wednesday, […]

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California High-Speed Rail Authority, Burbank airport settle lawsuit

Metrolink_BurbankAirport_Lassen

BURBANK, Calif. — The agency that oversees Hollywood Burbank Airport and the California High-Speed Rail Authority have reached an agreement ending a lawsuit by the airport authority over the high speed rail project, the parties announced Thursday, Nov. 16. The agreement clears the way for construction between Burbank and Los Angeles Union Station, the Rail […]

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STB chairman Oberman will not seek reappointment (updated)

Man gesturing while talking

NEW YORK — Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin J. Oberman – who used his position as a bully pulpit to criticize railroads and encourage them to reach their potential by hauling more of the nation’s freight – announced today that he will leave the board early next year. “After much consideration of the work the […]

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MBTA state-of-good-repair needs grow to $24.5 billion

Work crew on rail line at night

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority needs a massive infusion of $24.5 billion to address state-of-good repair needs, more than twice the figure from its last estimate of such maintenance needs in 2019, the agency said in a report issued today. The figure — up from $10 billion in the 2019 assessment — includes […]

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First of many battery trains enter service in Germany

Blue multiple-unit passenger train at simple shelter station and platform

KIEL, Germany —  The first of what will be multiple fleets of new battery-electric multiple-unit, or BEMU, trainsets have entered passenger service in northern Germany. The Stadler-built, two-car FLIRT trains debuted two weeks ago. They are designed to replace diesel multiple units and operate as regular electric trains when running on electrified lines. Each of […]

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