TUCSON, Ariz. — The shooter in the incident aboard the Sunset Limited that killed a Drug Enforcement Administration agent and injured two other law officers has been identified. The Arizona Republic reports the Pima County Medical Office has identified the man as Darrion Taylor, 26. Taylor, who exchanged gunfire with officers while the train was […]
Type of Train: Passenger/Transit
Chicago firm files four more suits over Empire Builder derailment
CHICAGO — A Chicago law firm has filed four more lawsuits on behalf of passengers who were on board Amtrak’s Empire Builder when it derailed Sept. 25 in Joplin, Mont., killing three people. The new suits — involving Saint Matthew (Matt) Johnson, 40, of Seattle; Stuart and Karen Dixon, 60 and 57, of Berwyn, Pa.; […]
Mark Twain Zephyr work continues with dining-car project (with video)
TREGO, Wis. — The interior of another car has been completed as the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad continues its work to return one of the first diesel-powered streamlined passenger trains to operation. Trains News Wire’s latest visit to northwest Wisconsin to check on restoration of the Mark Twain Zephyr, the articulated trainset built by Philadelphia’s […]
MBTA light rail operator arraigned on charges from July crash
BOSTON — The operator of a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority light rail train that rear-ended another train in July, injuring more than 20 people, has been arraigned on two charges of gross negligence in connection with the accident. WCVB-TV reports Owen Turner, 50, faces charges of gross negligence of a person in control of a […]
Rail operators to face new cybersecurity requirements
WASHINGTON — Major railroads and rail transit operators, along with airports and airlines, will be required to improve cybersecurity under a new directive from the Transportation Security Administration. Reuters reports that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Wednesday that the companies and agencies will be required to name a chief cyber official, disclose hacks to […]
Canadian vaccination requirement for rail passengers to take effect Oct. 30
OTTAWA, Ontario — Following up on a policy announced in August, the Government of Canada has announced COVID-19 vaccinations will be required for passengers on VIA Rail Canada and Rocky Mountaineer trains, as well as those departing from Canadian airports, effective Oct. 30. There will also be a transition period when travelers in the process […]
The Trains Interview: Nadine Lee, Dallas Area Rapid Transit CEO
Nadine Lee took her seat as president and CEO of Dallas Area Rapid Transit on July 12, 2021. She brings 30 years of experience in transit, most recently as chief of staff at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro). Prior to that, she was their deputy chief innovation officer, where she developed […]
Man killed in shooting on Sunset Limited was 16-year DEA agent
TUCSON, Ariz. — A 16-year veteran of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has been identified as the victim in a shooting aboard Amtrak’s Sunset Limited on Monday in Tucson. The Arizona Republic reports that Michael Garbo was killed as agents were detaining 22-year-old Devonte Mathis after finding marijuana and other cannabis products in his backpack, […]
Seven suits filed over Empire Builder derailment
CHICAGO — A Chicago law firm has filed seven separate lawsuits against Amtrak and BNSF Railway on behalf of passengers injured in the Sept. 25 derailment of the Empire Builder, and says it will challenge an arbitration requirement added to tickets in 2019. A press release from the Clifford Law Offices says the firm obtained […]
Erie ‘Limited’
Erie Limited The westbound Limited crosses the New York-Pennsylvania state line as it bridges the Delaware River at Mill Rift, Pa. An ordinary Pullman, not a fancy observation car with a tail sign, brings up the rear of the Erie’s unpretentious but comfortable flagship. Wayne Brumbaugh photo […]
Shooting on ‘Sunset Limited’ in Arizona
TUCSON, Arizona — Police are investigating the circumstances behind a shooting this morning on board Amtrak’s Sunset Limited. A railroad representative confirms to Trains that the eastbound passenger train, destination New Orleans, arrived in Tucson, at 7:40 a.m. The representative says there was a “shooting incident” on board the train, though it is not clear […]
Surfliner, Metrolink service to resume in south Orange County
LOS ANGELES — Metrolink commuter rail service in south Orange County, and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner operations between LA and San Diego, were scheduled to resume this morning (Monday, Oct. 4) following the conclusion of emergency repairs to tracks near San Clemente, Calif. Service was halted Sept. 16 after a landslide pushed the rail line out […]
