WASHINGTON — The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has again been ordered to remove Metrorail’s 7000-series railcars from service, after only a few had been restored to operation. The website DCist reports the independent Washington Metrorail Safety Commission ordered the cars to be sidelined after it found five cars that did not meet the inspection […]
CHICAGO — Commuter rail agency Metra says it is planning a “major hiring effort” in January in anticipation of schedule changes during the first quarter of 2022 as more workers return to downtown offices. Jobs to be posted will fill a variety of positions that have been left open during reduced pandemic operations, as well […]
A close-up look at the O gauge Lionel Santa Fe set featuring the Super Chief passenger train (no. 6-84719). There’s a reason it’s a perennial catalog favorite. This entry-level LionChief outfit comes with everything you need to get started in the hobby including a great-looking passenger train, an oval of track, and a remote control. […]
WASHINGTON — In filings that maintain if not elevate the level of acrimony between the two sides, CSX and Norfolk Southern have attacked almost every aspect of Amtrak’s response to their initial argument in the dispute over Gulf Coast passenger service that is before the Surface Transportation Board. The main document filed by the two […]
Industrial designer Brooks Stevens (center) and two associates pose with drawings of the Milwaukee Road’s new Olympian Hiawatha, launched in 1947. Classic Trains coll. […]
NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s New York City Transit has reduced subway service this week as staffing feels the effect of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. In a series of Twitter messages on Sunday, NYC Transit said subway trains would run less frequently Monday through Thursday, as the system reallocates train crews where they […]
MOBILE, Ala. — Amtrak’s intention to begin two daily round trips between New Orleans and Mobile in 2022 has led to a Surface Transportation Board proceeding likely to determine the rights and obligations of host railroads in granting access over routes that currently don’t have passenger service. The case before the STB grows out of […]
NEW ORLEANS — A former Amtrak on-board services attendant has been charged with wire fraud for allegedly selling spaces on a non-existent New Orleans-New York City trip, and for allegedly submitting false sick benefit claims to the Railroad Retirement Board. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana says in a press release […]
Amtrak cited the COVID-19 pandemic as justification in October 2020 when it cut most long-distance train frequencies to triweekly, furloughed employees, and began sidelining cars and locomotives. But in 2021, as the market began signaling the services it sought — with business and commuter travel languishing while shorter consists on national-network trains continued to sell out. […]
What has been railroading’s top story in 2021? Today, we begin the process of answering that question, as determined in balloting by the Trains editorial staff, Classic Trains editor Brian Schmidt (who spent most of the year on our staff), and key News Wire contributors. Balloting concluded on Dec. 10. We’ll be recapping stories each […]
HARTFORD, Conn. — Funding for new locomotives and two new stations is included in $839 million in transportation projects approved Tuesday by Connecticut’s State Bond Commission, the Hartford Courant reports. The commission unanimously approved the set of 58 transportation projects. Included are $280 million for new dual-power locomotives to replace aging diesels used on some […]
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A new 35-year agreement between New Haven, Connecticut, and the New Haven Parking Authority will renovate the century-old New Haven Union Station while adding parking and retail space. The New Haven Register reports the deal ensures the parking authority will continue to run the state-owned station, as it has since the […]
