An outbound Long Island Rail Road train meets a New York & Atlantic train on a section of the LIRR Main Line which will eventually be triple-tracked as part of a capacity expansion project. The $2.6 billion project remains on schedule despite challenges created by the COVID-19 outbreak. TRAINS: David Lassen More Wednesday morning rail […]
Type of Train: Passenger/Transit
Metra to add service on Electric District NEWSWIRE
An outbound Metra Electric train meets a Canadian National freight at Matteson, Ill., on May 2, 2020. Metra will increase service on the Electric line as part of its PTC implementation effort. TRAINS: David Lassen Wednesday morning rail news: — Chicago’s Metra will increase service on the Metra Electric District as of May 18 as […]
Three passenger projects receive $22 million in FRA grants NEWSWIRE
The eastbound Empire Builder crosses the Mississippi River at Hastings, Minn., on Sept. 23, 2018. The project to start a second train on the Chicago-Twin Cities portion of the Builder‘s route has received an FRA grant for more than $12 million. TRAINS: David Lassen Wednesday afternoon rail news: — Three projects touching eight states have […]
Amtrak donating to food banks nationwide NEWSWIRE
Workers from Amtrak’s Chicago Commissary deliver food to the King Majesty Ministries food bank, part of a nationwide effort by Amtrak to donate surplus food. King Majesty Ministries, via Amtrak More Tuesday afternoon rail news: — Amtrak is making donations to food banks across the U.S., offering help to those in need during the COVID-19 […]
Despite reduced ridership, MBTA begins preparations for return to full service NEWSWIRE
More Tuesday rail news: — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority expects lowered ridership to continue for much of the next year, but nonetheless is beginning to plan for a return to full schedules. The Boston Globe reports the agency will increase service to allow social distancing as Massachusetts begins to emerge from its stay-at-home order. […]
Buffalo to reexamine desire for light-rail extension at FTA request NEWSWIRE
More Monday morning rail news: — Buffalo’s effort to extend its 6.4-mile light rail system by 7 miles from downtown to the Universty of Buffalo’s north campus could be sidelined in favor of bus rapid transit. The Buffalo News reports that the Federal Transit Administration has directed the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to revisit the […]
FRA to hold telephone hearings on Texas Central NEWSWIRE
Monday morning rail news: — Today through Wednesday, the Federal Railroad Administration will conduct public hearings by phone on its proposed safety and operating standards — the “Notice of Particular Applicability” for the Texas Central high speed rail project [see “Passenger,” June 2020 Trains]. Those rules essentially would adopt the standards of the Japan Central […]
Metrolink set to begin work on LA Union Station project NEWSWIRE
A pair of Metrolink trains depart from L.A. Union Station via the five-track station throat to be modernized as the first part of a project to make the station a pass-through, rather than stub-end, facility. TRAINS: David Lassen An LA Metro light rail train passes a waiting Metrolink train at LA Union Station. Right now, […]
State to offer virus testing for NJ Transit employees NEWSWIRE
Friday morning coronavirus-related rail news: — NJ Transit employees will have the opportunity to be tested for COVID-19 beginning next week, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has announced. NJ.com reports that unions and a transit advocacy group had asked for testing for front-line transit workers who have the highest risk of exposure to the virus. […]
ASLRRA announces safety Jake Awards NEWSWIRE
More Thursday morning rail news: — The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association has announced the 295 recipients of its 2019 “Jake” Safety Awards, which go to railroads which perform better than the Federal Railroad Administration average injury frequency rate for Class II and Class III railroads. Some 278 railroads received the Jake With […]
Bombardier signs services deal for Italy’s ‘very high speed’ trains NEWSWIRE
One end of an ETR500 train set. Bombardier’s expertise will ensure continuous availability of consumable spare parts and repairable components for the ETR500 Frecciarossa fleet. Bombardier BERLIN — Bombardier Transportation and Trenitalia have signed a new contract for integrated logistics services to support the fleet of ETR500 very high-speed trains. The base order is for six […]
Metra makes new cuts on three routes NEWSWIRE
Two passengers board a Metra North Central Service train at the Prairie Crossing station in Libertyville, Ill., on April 2. Metra will cut service on the North Central and two other routes as of Monday. TRAINS: David Lassen Still more Thursday morning rail news: — Reflecting the ongoing loss of ridership during the COVID-19 pandemic, […]