TAMPA, Fla. — A regional transportation agency for the Tampa area has voted to disband after 16 years, with its inability to make progress on a commuter rail system among the issues behind its downfall. The Tampa Bay Times reports the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority board voted unanimously to shut down, although the […]
WASHINGTON — The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission has given permission for Metrorail to increase the interval on inspections of its 7000-series cars from four to seven days, setting the stage for more of the long-sidelined cars to return to operation, the Washington Post reports. Friday’s announcement came after the commission had initially said it would […]
CHICAGO — None of the individual delays that befell numerous cross-country Amtrak trains during the last week were as lengthy or dramatic as the 37-hour ordeal experienced by more than 500 Auto Train passengers on Jan. 12. But recurring tardiness on several routes, coupled with reduced equipment availability triggering sellouts and high fares, has posed […]
MARCEL, Calif. — The Union Pacific main line over Tehachapi pass reopened late Saturday following the derailment of a train earlier in the day, BNSF reports in a customer notification on its website. The train involved was apparently a Union Pacific train, despite an initial news report indicating a BNSF train had been involved. The […]
CHICAGO — A Chicago alderwoman has blocked another city council vote on a move to transfer land from the city to Norfolk Southern Railway for expansion of its 47th Street Yard on the city’s South Side, bringing further delays to the project. WTTW-TV reports Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor of the 20th Ward, which includes the area […]
Tucked into Amtrak’s locomotive consist for southbound train No. 91, the Silver Star, on Friday, Jan. 20, was Siemens ALC42 Charger No. 316, shown as the train passed through Fredericksburg, Va. Photographer Nathan Richters reports it is believed to be the first revenue trip for a Charger in Florida service. The long-distance Chargers are gradually […]
GIRDWOOD, Alaska — A section of the Alaska Railroad along Turnagain Arm reopened Friday, Jan. 20, after being closed Tuesday by a derailment caused by an avalanche, the Anchorage Daily News reports. The line reopened about 4:30 p.m. following the completion of repairs near milepost 71.5. Three locomotives derailed after hitting avalanche debris in the […]
TRINWAY, Ohio — Cleanup will continue into next week after 98 cars of an Ohio Central Railroad train derailed Thursday near the unincorporated community of Trinway in east central Ohio. The Zanesville Times Recorder reports 97 empty cars and one loaded car were involved, according to Tom Ciuba, vice president of communications for Genesee & […]
These five US short line and regional railroads with Class I capabilities may not have the impressive track mileage and revenues compared with the country’s massive Class I railroads. What these standouts lack in quantity make up in quality with both infrastructure and operational practices that sets them apart from the other small freight railroads. […]
Belpre Industrial Parkersburg Railroad summary The Belpre Industrial Parkersburg Railroad (BIP) is a Class III short line railroad that operates along the Ohio River in southeastern Ohio. It’s owned by Cathcart Rail, that was founded in 2015 by Casey Cathcart along with his father, Thomas. The railroad uses 48 miles of standard-gauge track out of […]
Arkansas-Oklahoma Railroad summary The Arkansas-Oklahoma Railroad (AOK) is a Class III short line railroad that operates in Oklahoma. It’s a family owned and operated business by David and Patricia Donoley. Operating along a 135-mile corridor, the AOK uses two separate sections of standard-gauge track from Howe to McAlester, and from Shawnee to Midwest City. History […]
Appalachian and Ohio Railroad summary Appalachian and Ohio Railroad (AO) is a class III short line railroad that operates in West Virginia. The tracks are owned by CSX Transportation and leased out to P&L Transportation Incorporated, a holding firm in partnership with Paducah and Louisville Railway officers and the Class I railroad. The railroad operates […]
