CHICAGO — Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin J. Oberman stepped up his criticism of Class I railroads on Wednesday, saying the industry’s drive for ever-increasing profits resulted in a loss of market share to trucks over the past 15 years and is restraining growth today. Rail rates fell by 27% between 1985 and 2004, as […]
HANOVER, Md. — Selection of a new contractor for Maryland’s much-delayed Purple Line light rail project is likely to occur in December, with a contract finalized by February — about five months later than had previously been projected. The Washington Post reports groups bidding to replace the previous contractor, which quit a year ago in […]
HAMILTON, Ontario — Hamilton city council members have approved a resolution agreeing to a C$3.4 billion light rail project, the CBC reports. The 11-3 vote means the city will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Ontario government and Metrolinx, the province’s transit agency, to build the 8.7-mile line. While the council has to ratify […]
CLEVELAND — The Greater Cleveland Regional Transportation Authority has extended the shutdown of Waterfront Line rail service indefinitely over safety concerns related to a bridge on the route. The 2.2-mile line has been shut down since October 2020 for a track rehabilitation project, but an RTA statement says an inspection determined the structure needed four […]
Pecos River crossing Southern Pacific’s crossing over the Pecos River 65 miles west of Del Rio, Texas, stands 362 feet above the river. It opened in 1944. Southern Pacific photo […]
NEW ORLEANS — Amtrak’s City of New Orleans continues to operate over only a portion of its route as Canadian National crews continue to repair damage in the wake of Hurricane Ida. An Amtrak advisory notes that effective with the Wednesday, Sept. 8, southbound departure from Chicago, the train will operate to Jackson, Miss., with […]
PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is proposing using a series of letters and colors to rename its urban rail system, to make it easier to use and emphasize the entire rail network rather than its individual elements. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports the proposal would rebrand the network of rapid transit and trolley lines […]
BERLIN — Germany’s third and longest rail strike in a month ended Tuesday morning, with national rail operator Deutsche Bahn saying it would work quickly to restore full operations. Broadcaster DW reports about 19,700 train drivers had taken part in the walkout that began Sept. 1 and was the second-longest ever for the rail network. […]
PETALUMA, Calif. — Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit will use federal stimulus funds to restore full service, but will expects to need six months to do so. The Marin Independent Journal reports that, in a board meeting last week, SMART officials said the receipt of $3.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act money would allow the […]
Cars of the ‘Century’ Mail-baggage car No. 5020 had a 60-foot Railway Post Office section. The 20th Century Limited typically carried one such car per consist. There were four cars in the 5020-5023 series. Pullman-Standard photo […]
NEW YORK — The last Amtrak and Metro-North services which had been shut down by the remnants of Hurricane Ida will return to action Tuesday — while all of New York’s subways are already back in action Work by Metropolitan Transportation Authority workers south of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Amtrak crews north to Rensselaer is allowing […]
CHICAGO — A heavyweight business car and two lightweight sleepers will return to their birthplace as part of this weekend’s grand opening of the Pullman National Monument Visitor Center on Chicago’s South Side. The cars, built by Pullman or Pullman-Standard between 1928 and 1955, will be available for tours Saturday and Sunday at Metra’s 111th […]
