STONINGTON, Ill. — A 69-year-old worker at a grain elevator was killed and a Norfolk Southern train was derailed after a collision between the train and a Trackmobile on Friday. WAND-TV reports the employee of the Legacy Grain Cooperative was operating the railcar moving equipment when it crossed into the path of the oncoming NS […]
Train Topic: Railroad Operations
Rail Passengers Association calls for federal review of Wolverine incident
WASHINGTON — The Rail Passenger Association is asking for an expedited federal review of the disastrous 19-hour trip of an Amtrak Wolverine train earlier this month — a 304-mile trip that should take less than six hours — and is asking to be allowed to observe that review when it takes place. That Oct. 7 […]
Government order requires extensive inspections, tests for VIA heritage fleet
OTTAWA — The Safety Order issued Thursday by Transport Canada appears to require VIA Rail Canada to continue to use unoccupied end-of-train buffer cars through 2023, and recommends “operational measures and additional analysis” until VIA undertakes “a structural reinforcement and repair program” of its entire heritage fleet of stainless steel, head-end-power rolling stock. The […]
Intermodal service has improved since summer, J.B. Hunt executives say
LOWELL, Ark. — Railroads’ intermodal service improved considerably during the third quarter, J.B. Hunt executives said this week on the company’s earnings call. “Rail service has shown real signs of improvement in both velocity and reliability during the quarter with positive momentum building, the most notable increase coming from our friends at the BNSF,” J.B. […]
DC Metro says it lacks equipment to start service to Dulles Airport, blames safety agency
WASHINGTON — DC Metro says it is ready to open its Silver Line extension to Dulles International Airport in time for the Thanksgiving Holiday Rush but lacks the equipment to do so — and is blaming the watchdog Washington Metrorail Safety Commission. In a Wednesday press release, Metro said the Silver Line is “operationally ready,” […]
Seminole Gulf estimates hurricane repairs will cost $28 million
FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Seminole Gulf Railway, devastated by Hurricane Ian, is now estimating it will take $28 million to return the 105-mile railroad in southwest Florida to operation. WBBH-TV reports the railroad hosted government officials on Thursday in an effort to rally support for emergency funding, so the railroad can return to operation […]
Some GO Transit workers could strike Oct. 31
TORONTO — The union representing 2,200 GO Transit bus drivers, station attendants, safety officers, and maintenance workers says they will go on strike Oct. 31 if they do not reach a deal on a new contract. CityNews Toronto reports Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1587 President Rob Cormier said the union will walk out at 12:01 […]
MBTA adds weekend pre-Halloween commuter rail service to Salem, Mass.
SALEM, Mass. — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and its contract commuter rail operator, Keolis, have added additional commuter rail service between Boston’s North Station and Salem, Mass., and between Salem, Beverly, and Newburyport, for the final two weekends of Salem’s Haunted Happenings event. “With historic crowds visiting Salem this Halloween season, we’re pleased to offer […]
Iowa City buys land for possible Amtrak station
IOWA CITY, Iowa — The Iowa City City Council has approved the purchase of three residential properties for the site of a possible Amtrak station, the Daily Iowan newspaper reports. The three parcels are being purchased for $475,000. They would provide the location for a station should Amtrak launch a long-discussed Chicago-Quad Cities passenger service, […]
Track where fatal bridge accident occurred was supposed to be shut down, NTSB says
PHILADELPHIA — The two construction workers killed last week when struck by a PATCO train on the Ben Franklin bridge were walking on a track that was supposed to have been shut down while concrete work was in progress, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The two were killed the night of Oct. 14 while working on […]
News photo: Preparing for Amtrak’s return to Montreal
MONTREAL — Operating as Amtk 694 (the train number Canadian National has always assigned to the southbound Adirondack while on CN rails), an Amtrak requalification run heads to Montreal’s Central Station on Thursday as it passes the mostly drained Peel Basin. While Amtrak service to Vancouver and Toronto was restored earlier this year, there is still […]
Unifor, CN begin talks on new contract
MONTREAL — Unifor, Canada’s largest union, has opened bargaining with Canadian National for a new contract, the union said Wednesday. The union says it represents about 3,600 workers at CN terminals and headquarters across Canada, including mechanics, crane operators, machinists, electricians, and clericial, administrative, and customer-support workers. The current agreement expires on Dec. 31. “The […]