Miami-Dade approves negotiations over Brightline commuter rail proposal

Wednesday morning rail news in brief: Miami-Dade OKs negotiations over Brightline commuter operation While the area’s commuter railroad and mayor voiced opposition, Miami-Dade county commissioners have endorsed negotiations with Virgin Trains USA for proposed commuter-rail service on the southern end of Brightline’s route between Miami and West Palm Beach, Fla. The Miami Herald reports that […]

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Remembering Texas & Pacific passenger trains

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In June 2020, Classic Trains is celebrating the history, heritage, and splendor of the Texas & Pacific Railway. Enjoy this photo gallery, originally published online in February 2017, as the perfect salute to the T&P. Return each week for another salute to the railroad of the month! See what we did last week for the […]

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Remembering the Texas & Pacific Railway

T&P’s 70 2-10-4 Texas type steam locomotives, built by Lima 1925-29, were the road’s biggest, most numerous, and best-known power. No. 636 rolls an extra east near Mineola, 79 miles east of Dallas, in 1951. R. S. Plummer History of the Texas & Pacific What grew to become the 20th century’s Texas & Pacific Railway […]

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FTA offers grants for transit agencies to work on technologies to improve State of Good Repair NEWSWIRE

Federal Transit Administration logo

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration on May 28 announced the availability of $1.25 million in funding to demonstrate and evaluate innovative technologies and designs to improve the state of good repair for transit agencies. The competitive grant funds are provided through the Public Transportation Innovation Program. A Notice of Funding […]

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Man killed when pushed in front of Chicago L train NEWSWIRE

CTA logo

Friday afternoon rail news in brief: Man killed after being pushed in front of CTA train A suspect is in custody after allegedly pushing a man in front of an oncoming Chicago Transit Authority train, which struck and killed him, early Friday morning. WBBM Radio reports the incident occurred about 12:15 a.m. at the Red […]

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Twin Cities transit shut down through weekend NEWSWIRE

MinneapolisMetro

Friday morning rail news in brief: Metro Transit shutdown extended through weekend, now includes commuter rail Citing safety concerns over ongoing civil unrest, Metro Transit in Minneapolis/St. Paul has extended its suspension of all bus and light rail service through Sunday, and expanded it to include Northstar commuter rail. The lone exception is the Blue […]

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Amtrak asks STB to settle dispute with Metra over Chicago Union Station, seeks more than $17 million annually (updated)

Chicago Union Station exterior

The dispute between Amtrak and Metra over Chicago Union Station is back before the Surface Transportation Board. TRAINS: David Lassen WASHINGTON — Amtrak has filed a petition with the Surface Transportation Board asking the agency to settle its ongoing dispute with Metra over terms and compensation for Chicago commuter railroad’s use of the Amtrak-owned Chicago […]

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BART sets 15-point plan to handle returning riders NEWSWIRE

Bart

Thursday morning rail news in brief: BART announces ‘Welcome Back Plan’ Bay Area Rapid Transit has introduced a 15-step “Welcome Back Plan” for riders returning to the San Francisco-area rail system after the COVID-19 lockdown, including use of long trains to accommodate social distancing, increased train frequency as ridership dictates, and a possible new seating […]

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