NEW YORK — The chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has vowed to get a new rail tunnel built to connect New York and New Jersey, the Associated Press reports. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) made the pledge in comments at New York’s Penn Station as he and other members of his committee prepared […]
Type of Train: Passenger/Transit
Analysis: Why the ‘Hoosier State’ will die on June 30 NEWSWIRE
Trainmen uncouple the Hoosier State’s three car consist from the eastbound Cardinal at Indianapolis on April 23, 2019. The Hoosier trainset deadheads westbound on Mondays and eastbound on Tuesday to position equipment, and earns no revenue on Thursdays and Saturdays. Bob Johnston Amtrak operations guru Chris Jagodzinski uses an inspection trip for local leaders on […]
California high speed rail update leaves major questions NEWSWIRE
SACRAMENTO — California’s High Speed Rail Authority created more questions than answers with the project update submitted Wednesday to the state legislature. While upping the projected cost for the much-discussed 119-mile Central Valley segment to $12.4 billion [see “Report: Cost for California high speed rail segment rises by another $1.8 billion,” Trains News Wire, May 2, […]
Falling concrete leads to commuter delays, emergency repairs at Chicago Union Station NEWSWIRE
Falling concrete closed three tracks at Chicago Union Station on Wednesday. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — Falling concrete led to the shutdown of three tracks at Chicago Union Station on Wednesday, interfering with some morning commuter operations. Emergency repairs had two of the tracks reopened in time for the afternoon commute. The Chicago Sun-Times reports […]
Intermediate-station traffic drives Metro-North ridership gains NEWSWIRE
A Metro-North Harlem Line M7A EMU train leaves the Botanical Garden Station in the Bronx on its way north to North White Plains. A report on 30-year ridership trends on the Metro-North shows intermediate-station traffic has driven growth. Ralph Spielman NEW YORK — Intermediate-station traffic, not that to and from New York’s Grand Central Terminal, […]
Penn Station work to continue in summer 2019 NEWSWIRE
An NJT train tiptoes through “A” Interlocking’s work zone on the west end of Penn Station on June 20, 2017. This summer “JO” Interlocking on the east end of the station will be rebuilt. Bob Johnston NEW YORK — Continued infrastructure work at New York’s Penn Station will lead to changes in service this […]
MBTA adds 27 locomotives to F40 overhaul program NEWSWIRE
F40PH-2C No. 1054 pushes an inbound train from Worcester as it departs Ashland, Mass., in April 2015. The MBTA has expanded an overhaul program to include all 37 of its F40s. Scott A. Hartley BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will overhaul 27 additional F40 locomotives for its commuter rail fleet, exercising an option […]
Report: Cost for California high speed rail segment rises by another $1.8 billion NEWSWIRE
SACRAMENTO — The cost of completing the under-construction segment of California’s high speed rail line in the Central Valley is projected to increase by $1.8 billion, bringing the total cost to $12.4 billion, the Los Angeles Times reports. The Times cites the draft of an internal report by the state’s high speed rail authority, to […]
Modern streetcars
A low-floor Alstom Citadis light rail vehicle for United Arab Emirates has minimal truck components so it remains closer to the street. Steve Sweeney Q In the August 2015 issue of Trains, the article on Alstom light rail mentioned continuous low floors as a design feature. How does Alstom make this work? – Jack Munro, […]
Chicago to see vintage L equipment run as fundraiser NEWSWIRE
CHICAGO — A daylong ride on 1923-vintage L equipment is set for May as a fundraiser for preservation of historic equipment, the Chicago Tribune reports. The event, set for May 11, will benefit the Chicago Transit Authority’s Heritage Fleet Program and the Fox River Trolley Museum in South Elgin, Ill. Tickets are $150, and are […]
LA Union Station to celebrate 80th anniversary NEWSWIRE
Los Angeles Union Station will celebrate the 80th anniversary of its opening on Friday and Saturday. David Lustig LOS ANGELES — LA Metro will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the opening of Los Angeles Union Station with events this Friday and Saturday, May 3 and 4. On Friday, an “opening ceremony” in the station breezeway […]
MBTA says PTC equipment problems threaten ability to meet 2020 deadline NEWSWIRE
BOSTON — Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authorities are saying problems with positive train control equipment from one of the system’s major subcontractors is having problems that could cause the MBTA to miss the December 2020 deadline for full PTC implementation. Siemens is having problems with both hardware and software it is providing for the MTBA, CommonWealth […]