Classic Trains editors are celebrating the heritage, history, and lore of famed (and infamous) railroads. In June 2020, we celebrate the Texas & Pacific Railway. Please enjoy a collection of locomotive images located in the David P. Morgan Library archives at Kalmbach Media that include the T&P’s iconic locomotives and classic scenic photos. You might […]
Type of Train: Passenger/Transit
Voters in Atlanta suburb could see another initiative on MARTA extension
More Wednesday morning rail news: Gwinnett County, Ga., voters may again see transit initiative Voters in Georgia’s Gwinnett County may cast ballots on a transit referendum, including extension of Atlanta’s MARTA heavy-rail system, for the second year in a row. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports county commissioners voted 3-1 in favor of advancing a $12 […]
Judge rules against conductors’ effort to stop new Metro-North schedule
More Tuesday morning rail news in brief: Judge rules against conductors’ effort to stop new Metro-North schedule A federal judge has rejected an effort by the union for Metro-North Railroad conductors to delay the railroad’s new schedule, which took effect Monday. The Rockland/Westchester Journal News reports that U.S. District Court Judge Ronnie Abrams ruled late […]
Amtrak plans triweekly service for almost all long-distance trains as of Oct. 1
WASHINGTON — Amtrak plans to reduce most long-distance trains to three-day-a-week service as of Oct. 1, according to an internal message obtained by Trains News Wire. In an internal “Service Update,” Amtrak Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing and Revenue Service Officer Roger Harris told employees today that the goal would be “to restore daily service […]
Pueblo pause
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy’s Texas Zephyr, with Colorado & Southern-lettered E5 No. 9955 on the point, pauses at Pueblo on Jan. 23, 1966. The Burlington acquired control of the C&S in 1908, gaining a route from Denver to the Gulf of Mexico at Galveston, Texas, and a route from Denver north into Wyoming. Steve Patterson photo […]
Metro-North conductors sue, claiming health risk from crowded trains
Friday midday rail news in brief: Metro-North conductors sue over crowded trains Conductors have filed suit against Metro-North, saying their health is at risk because of increasingly crowded trains increase the possibility of contracting COVID-19. The Poughkeepsie Journal reports the suit was filed Thursday in federal court by the chairman of the Association of Commuter Rail […]
Remembering Texas & Pacific Railway freight trains
All this month — June 2020 — Classic Trains editors are celebrating the heritage, history, and images of the Texas & Pacific Railway. Please enjoy this photo gallery of images from the David P. Morgan Library archives at Kalmbach Media that include TP diesel- and steam-powered freight trains through time. You might also enjoy this […]
Reassessment finds more rider support for Massachusetts East-West rail plan
More Thursday morning rail news in brief: Ridership estimates improve for Massachusetts East-West rail, but still short of federal funding threshold A long-proposed rail service between Boston and Springfield, Mass., could attract more riders than previously estimated — but still not enough to qualify for federal funding, according to Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack. The […]
Austin approves transit expansion plan
Thursday morning rail news in brief: Austin approves ‘Project Connect’ transit plan The Austin, Texas, city council and board of transit agency Capital Metro on Wednesday approved the Project Connect transit plan, a major expansion of the city’s public transportation that will include three new light rail lines — with a subway section in downtown […]
No ‘Touring Class,’ dome access for return of VIA’s Prince Rupert train
Tuesday afternoon rail news: Touring Class not available, schedule set for resumption of VIA Jasper-Prince Rupert service Touring Class, with its full-length single-level Panorama dome car, will not be offered when VIA Rail Canada resumes passenger service to and from Prince Rupert, British Columbia, in July, and access to the dome in the Park dome-lounge-observation […]
Survey finds support for expanded Metra North Central Service
More Tuesday morning rail news in brief: Survey finds support for increased service on Metra’s North Central line A new survey says riders and businesses on Metra’s North Central Service, between Chicago Union Station and Antioch, Ill., would like to see weekend service and increased weekday frequencies — but the survey was conducted before the […]
California legislature may try to stop high speed rail contract
More Monday morning rail news: California legislature wants high speed rail agency to hold off on contract A majority of members of the California Assembly have co-sponsored a resolution asking the California High-Speed Rail Authority to defer a contract due to be awarded this year for construction of the high speed line between Merced and […]