FILLMORE, Calif. — Replacement of a bridge on a rail line operated by Sierra Northern that washed out in this month’s heavy rains may cost $1.5 million, the Ventura County Star reports. About a quarter of the 450-foot bridge was washed away on Jan. 10, apparently by debris that damaged then knocked out the concrete […]
WASHINGTON — The head of the Federal Railroad Administration is urging states to increase staffing and expertise to handle rail projects, given the additional funding available from the federal government. A report on the website Route Fifty, which covers issues of interest to state and local goverments, says FRA Administrator Amit Bose told the U.S. […]
TAMPA, Fla. — A regional transportation agency for the Tampa area has voted to disband after 16 years, with its inability to make progress on a commuter rail system among the issues behind its downfall. The Tampa Bay Times reports the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority board voted unanimously to shut down, although the […]
WASHINGTON — The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission has given permission for Metrorail to increase the interval on inspections of its 7000-series cars from four to seven days, setting the stage for more of the long-sidelined cars to return to operation, the Washington Post reports. Friday’s announcement came after the commission had initially said it would […]
CHICAGO — None of the individual delays that befell numerous cross-country Amtrak trains during the last week were as lengthy or dramatic as the 37-hour ordeal experienced by more than 500 Auto Train passengers on Jan. 12. But recurring tardiness on several routes, coupled with reduced equipment availability triggering sellouts and high fares, has posed […]
MARCEL, Calif. — The Union Pacific main line over Tehachapi pass reopened late Saturday following the derailment of a train earlier in the day, BNSF reports in a customer notification on its website. The train involved was apparently a Union Pacific train, despite an initial news report indicating a BNSF train had been involved. The […]
CHICAGO — A Chicago alderwoman has blocked another city council vote on a move to transfer land from the city to Norfolk Southern Railway for expansion of its 47th Street Yard on the city’s South Side, bringing further delays to the project. WTTW-TV reports Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor of the 20th Ward, which includes the area […]
Tucked into Amtrak’s locomotive consist for southbound train No. 91, the Silver Star, on Friday, Jan. 20, was Siemens ALC42 Charger No. 316, shown as the train passed through Fredericksburg, Va. Photographer Nathan Richters reports it is believed to be the first revenue trip for a Charger in Florida service. The long-distance Chargers are gradually […]
GIRDWOOD, Alaska — A section of the Alaska Railroad along Turnagain Arm reopened Friday, Jan. 20, after being closed Tuesday by a derailment caused by an avalanche, the Anchorage Daily News reports. The line reopened about 4:30 p.m. following the completion of repairs near milepost 71.5. Three locomotives derailed after hitting avalanche debris in the […]
TRINWAY, Ohio — Cleanup will continue into next week after 98 cars of an Ohio Central Railroad train derailed Thursday near the unincorporated community of Trinway in east central Ohio. The Zanesville Times Recorder reports 97 empty cars and one loaded car were involved, according to Tom Ciuba, vice president of communications for Genesee & […]
The union representing conductors has thus far refused to participate in a pilot program Union Pacific wants to run to test the concept of shifting conductors to ground-based positions, The Associated Press reports. But UP remains in mediation with two SMART-TD committees and negotiations are ongoing about the proposed pilot program, railroad spokeswoman Robynn Tysver […]
LOMBARD, Ill. — The Midwest Association of Rail Shippers Winter Meeting is by no means focused on passenger railroading, but there were some notable comments about Amtrak over the course of the two-day event. Foremost among those, not surprisingly, were the thoughts of Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin J. Oberman, whose agency’s busy agenda touches […]
