Colorado county plans to challenge approval of Utah rail line

Logo of Eagle County, Colo.

EAGLE, Colo. — Officials in a Colorado county plan to challenge the Surface Transportation Board’s approval of a new rail line in Utah over concerns about resulting crude-oil shipments that will pass through their area. The Vail Daily News reports commissioners in Eagle County have approved pursuing action in U.S. District Court, in either Denver […]

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First look: Siemens Venture coaches debut for Amtrak (updated)

Conductor waves as he boards passenger car at platform

CHICAGO — “Give yourself a big round of applause,” conductor Erik Newsom enthusiastically announced over the public address system of Amtrak train No. 303 as it left Chicago for St. Louis on Tuesday morning. “You’re the very first to ride Amtrak’s new Midwest cars!” Clapping followed, but that was the extent of the morning’s fanfare […]

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Sierra Railroad acquires former Fillmore & Western equipment

F unit and road-switchers parked next to station

FILLMORE, Calif. — Sierra Railroad of Davis, Calif., announced today it has purchased the majority of the remaining locomotives, rolling stock and other assets from the former Fillmore & Western Railroad operation in Ventura County. The Montalvo-to-Piru line, owned by the Ventura County Transportation Commission, has been operated by Sierra Railroad’s Sierra Northern Ventura Division […]

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STB sets details for hearing on Amtrak Gulf Coast case

Surface Transportation Board logo

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has set details for its upcoming hearing on Amtrak’s effort to launch passenger service on the Gulf Coast. The initial phase, public comments, is set for Feb. 15, with the hearing on Amtrak’s request to begin on March 9. Public comment will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 15. […]

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Winter storm brings cancellations to Amtrak service in Midwest

Amtrak logo.

WASHINGTON — Amtrak has announced a new series of cancellations because of a winter storm, this time for today (Wednesday, Feb. 2) and Thursday, Feb. 3, on Midwest state-supported routes and some long-distance trains beginning or ending in Chicago. Trains affected today include City of New Orleans departures from Chicago and New Orleans; the westbound […]

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How West Virginia’s lone Amtrak station agent was reinstated

Man with gloves at door of baggate car at night

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Some may take the physical presence of a station agent for granted, especially in a world that has learned to do more with less interaction. But the story of how West Virginia regained its only agent back helps underpin the importance of humanizing the passenger railroad experience. In April 2018, before the […]

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Northeast transit operators prepare for winter storm

Electric commuter train in snow

Transit agencies in the Northeast have begun adjusting service plans for Saturday in expectation of a major snowstorm forecast to hit the area. As of midafternoon Friday, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is mostly planning normal Saturday operations. Exceptions include the Mattapan Trolley, which will be replaced by shuttle buses; the Green Line’s D Branch, […]

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