Second of two parts CHICAGO — The introduction of Venture business/coach cars on some state-supported Amtrak routes in the Midwest reflects an increase in availability of the Siemens-built equipment, delayed by a variety of production and acceptance issues. Meanwhile, there is still no firm date for the introduction of California’s Venture equipment, although a spokesman […]
Train Topic: Railroad Operations
MBTA trains had four near-miss incidents with track workers in a month
BOSTON — The new general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority received a sampling of the safety issues that have plagued the transit agency on Thursday, taking part in a meeting that revealed four incidents in the last month in which track workers were nearly struck by subway trains. CommonWealth Magazine reports General Manager […]
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad to resume National Park Scenic, Explorer trips May 5
PENINSULA, Ohio — The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad will resume its National Park Scenic excursions and its Explorer Program as of May 5, the tourist railroad has announced. The railroad through Cuyahoga Valley National Park has faced a series of limitations on operations or complete shutdowns because of erosion issues along its right-of-way, which follows […]
PATH to begin use of new railcars
HOBOKEN, N.J. — The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will begin operating the first of its 72 new PATH rail cars next week, the agency announced Thursday, and showed off some of the new cars. The Kawasaki-built cars, completed at a facility in Yonkers, N.Y., are being added to an existing 350-car […]
Slide suspends Seattle-Portland ‘Cascades’ service through Friday
SEATTLE — Amtrak Cascades between Seattle and Portland, Ore., remain suspended through Friday, April 14, while BNSF Railway crews clear a mudslide that has kept passenger trains from operating since Tuesday. Portland-Eugene, Ore., and Seattle-Vancouver, B.C., trains have continued to operate, while the Coast Starlight to and from Los Angeles has been turning at Portland. […]
Chemical shippers say rail service remains mired below pre-pandemic levels
WASHINGTON — Most chemical shippers say railroad service has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to a survey released today by the American Chemistry Council. Some 77% of ACC members surveyed said rail service was worse in January than it was in early 2020 before the pandemic hit. Some 22% said service had returned […]
Venture business-class cars debut in Midwest: Trip report
First of two parts CHICAGO — After being delayed for several years by production setbacks and acceptance issues, the first of 17 state-owned Siemens Venture business-class cars are now hosting passengers on Midwest Amtrak routes. They are not being advertised, however, and you only need a regular coach ticket to ride the cars. They feature […]
MBTA completes purchase of land for new commuter yard
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has completed purchase of 24 acres of land near South Station where it plans to build a new commuter rail layover facility. State House News Service reports MBTA officials announced today they have finalized the $255 million purchase of the land at Widett Circle, a mile from South […]
At least five hurt in Houston collision between light rail train, ambulance
HOUSTON — At least five people were injured Tuesday night when a METRORail train and Houston Fire Department ambulance collided in downtown Houston, according to media reports. KPRC-TV reports the accident occurred about 9 p.m. when the light rail train hit the ambulance as it was making a turn in the 6500 block of Fannin […]
Labor leaders welcome FRA’s train makeup safety advisory, while railroads emphasize their train-building tools and techniques
Rail labor leaders welcomed the safety advisory that the Federal Railroad Administration issued last week that encourages railroads to take steps to reduce the in-train forces that can cause long trains to derail. Railroads, meanwhile, said they were reviewing the advisory to make sure their operating practices are in line with the FRA’s recommendations. “For […]
Norfolk Southern tightens train makeup standards for long trains
ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern has tightened its train makeup standards for long, heavy trains in order to reduce the in-train forces that can cause derailments. The new restrictions — part of the railroad’s broader push on safety in the wake of the disastrous Feb. 3 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio — have caused significant increases […]
Pacific Surfliner between L.A. and San Diego, Metrolink service to Oceanside to resume
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — The long disruption of Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink service in south Orange County is about to end. As of Monday, April 17, full daily Pacific Surfliner service between Los Angeles and San Diego — halted in September 2022 — will resume, as well as Metrolink service to Oceanside, Calif. Passenger traffic […]