DOT nominee Trottenberg says she’ll work to advance Gateway project The nominee for the No. 2 position at the U.S. Department of Transportation told a confirmation hearing that she would work to make the Northeast Corridor’s Gateway Tunnel project a priority if she is confirmed. Bloomberg reports Deputy Secretary of Transportation nominee Polly Trottenberg, formerly […]
Zone & Region: Midwest
Illinois lawmakers advance bills on train length, trespassing prevention
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — In separate bills, Illinois legislators are proposing to limit train lengths in the state to 8,500 feet and provide multiple actions to address trespassing along rail lines. The train length bill, HB 2524, sponsored by state Reps. Jay Hoffman (D-Belleville) and Kelly Burke (D-Evergreen Park), was prompted by increasing complaints from constituents […]
Digest: CSX updates weather impact on operations
CSX intermodal sites remain open, some transload facilities closed In a Thursday afternoon update to customers, CSX Transportation reported all intermodal terminal are open despite recent and continuing weather issues, although subject to weather-related regional delays. Four of the railroad’s Transflo transloading sites — in Nashville, Tenn.; Richmond, Va.; Wilmington, Del; and Baltimore, Md. — […]
North Dakota man sentenced to four days in jail for attempt to derail BNSF train
FARGO, N.D. — A Fargo man has been sentenced to four days in jail for attempting to derail a BNSF Railway train in May 2020, a sentence which drew the ire of the U.S. attorney in the case. The Fargo Forum reports U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley said in a statement issued Friday that “we take […]
Digest: New York to increase overnight subway service
Tuesday morning rail news: MTA to open subway for two additional hours overnight The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will increase overnight New York subway service, cutting the time the subway is closed nightly from four hours to two as of Feb. 22. The system, currently closed from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. for nightly cleaning, will […]
UP derailment in Normal, Ill., blocks streets, stops Amtrak (updated)
UP derailment in Normal, Ill., disrupts Amtrak, blocks traffic Sixteen cars of a Union Pacific intermodal train derailed early Saturday morning in Normal, Ill., blocking a series of grade crossings, closing an underpass, damaging two rail lines, and disrupting Amtrak service. The Bloomington Pantagraph reports it was told by Normal Mayor Chris Koos that the […]
Winter weather triggers transit changes in Dallas-Fort Worth, shutdown in Houston
Dallas-Fort Worth rail transit to see service reductions as winter storm arrives Transit in the Dallas-Fort Worth area will operate on limited schedules Monday, with some changes beginning Sunday, because of a winter storm forecast calling for significant snowfall. The agencies involved have announced these plans: — Dallas Area Rapid Transit plans to limit light […]
UP derailment in Normal, Ill.
A Union Pacific derailment Saturday morning in Normal, Ill., has disrupted rail service through the community, with Amtrak cancelling Lincoln Service trains and rerouting the Texas Eagle. A number of grade crossings are also blocked. The city’s mayor told a local newspaper at least 16 cars derailed. There were no injuries. […]
San Francisco Muni to resume subway light rail operations in May
San Franciscon Muni to resume some subway light rail service in May San Francisco Muni will resume some subway light rail service in May, the next step in the gradual and long-delayed restoration of service halted because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The San Francisco Chronicle reports service on the N Judah and T Third line […]
Digest: Union City, Ind., launches effort to save interlocking tower
Additional Tuesday morning rail news: Fundraising effort begins to save Union City, Ind., tower A fundraising effort has launched to save a former CSX interlocking tower in Union City, Ind., which is scheduled for demolition. The Winchester News Gazette reports the “Save the Rail Tower” effort seeks to raise $50,000 by March 25 for funds to […]
News Photo: Metra on the South Shore
The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District recently agreed to lease surplus gallery cars from Metra’s Electric District to meet the South Shore Line’s expanded service plans once its Double Track and West Lake extension projects are complete. [See “Digest: South Shore to lease gallery cars …,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 26, 2021]. In the wake of that decision, […]
Digest: South Shore to replace some service with buses because of expected severe weather
Saturday morning rail news: South Shore to replace trains with buses on part of route through at least Monday The South Shore Line will substitute bus service for trains between South Bend, Ind., and the Michigan City Carroll Avenue station beginning this evening, and continuing through at least Sunday and Monday because of forecasts of […]