BOSTON — Work on rapid-transit Orange Line was 37% complete nine days into its planned month-long shutdown, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority General Manager Steve Poftak said Sunday as Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker visited the site of one project. WBZ-TV reports Baker, Poftak, and other officials visited the State Street station on the Orange Line, the […]
Section: News Wire
News Photo: Merchants Bridge gets final span
ST. LOUIS — The final span for the rebuilding of the Terminal Railroad Association’s Merchants Bridge, the key Mississippi River crossing dating to 1889, was moved into place as scheduled on Friday, Aug. 26. The $222 million project to rebuild the 4,340-foot bridge began in 2018, and will double the capacity of the double-track structure […]
More Chicago Amtrak cancellations
CHICAGO — Lack of serviceable equipment and qualified staff have again caused a series of Amtrak state-supported service cancellations out of Chicago. Late last week, the company announced morning eastbound Wolverine service train No. 350 to Pontiac, Mich., and its evening return counterpart, No. 355, would be cancelled today (Monday, Aug. 29) through Friday, Sept. […]
Railroads reach tentative agreements with three unions (updated)
Railroads have reached tentative agreements with three unions as the prospect of a September strike looms. The National Carriers’ Conference Committee, which represents the freight railroads in national collective bargaining, on Monday afternoon said it has reached tentative deals with the Transportation Communications Union/IAM, Brotherhood of Railway Carmen, and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace […]
Norfolk Southern train derails in Georgia
MIDVILLE, Ga. — About 35 cars of a 76-car Norfolk Southern train derailed early Monday morning in Midville, Ga., WJBF-TV reports. The accident occurred about 3 a.m. No hazardous materials were reported to be involved and no injuries were reported. A railroad representative said an investigation to the cause was under way. Midville is about […]
UP CEO expects Congress to intervene if railroads experience work stoppage
DENVER — Union Pacific CEO Lance Fritz said Monday he believes railroads and unions will begin to reach agreements on new labor contracts, but that he is also “confident” that Congress will intervene if the ongoing labor dispute reaches the point of a strike or a lockout. Fritz, in a brief address to the American […]
Dates set for Minnesota steam locomotive’s return to operation
DULUTH, Minn. — After a two-year hiatus, the Lake Superior Railroad Museum’s North Shore Scenic Railroad will return Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range 2-8-0 No. 332 to service in September The locomotive will pull trains between Duluth and Two Harbors, Minn. Sept. 10-11 and 24-25. Trains will depart Duluth at 10:00 a.m. each day. No. 332 […]
Unions, railroads hold three meetings; no agreement reached
CLEVELAND — On-line and in-person meetings last week did not result in an agreement between railroads and unions over a new contract, the heads of two unions said in a joint statement issued Saturday. Jeremy Ferguson, president of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division (SMART-TD), and Dennis Pierce, president of […]
STB grants request for more mediation time in Gulf Coast dispute
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has granted a request by the parties in the Amtrak Gulf Coast dispute to extend board-sponsored mediation for an additional 30 days. Amtrak, CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern, and the Alabama State Port Authority and Terminal Railway Alabama State Docks had filed the request on Aug. 24, saying they agreed […]
LA Metro, SMART-TD ratify new contract
LOS ANGELES — Transit agency LA Metro has approved a new five-year agreement with the union representing Metro rail and bus operators and scheduling analysts. The agreement with more than 4,600 members of International Assoication of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division (SMART-TD) local GO-875 includes an average annual raise of 3.4% compounded […]
Eight injured when Tri-Rail train hits vehicle and derails
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Six passengers required hospitalization and two others were treated at the scene after a Tri-Rail commuter train struck an abandoned vehicle and derailed during the Friday morning commute. All of the injuries were described as minor. WSVN-TV reports 63 people were on board the northbound train when the collision occurred about […]
CSX rekindles its relationship with venerable Dash-8 locomotives
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — After selling or retiring its roster of more than 100 General Electric C40-8 locomotives, CSX Transportation once again owns the late-1980s era Dash-8 standard cab locomotive through its June 1 acquisition of Pan Am Railways. The Class I railroad began divesting the 4,000-horsepower six-axle GE several years ago, retiring and selling most […]