WASHINGTON — The budget compromise that Congress passed last night and is expected to be signed by President Donald Trump today funds Amtrak at $1.9 billion, equal to last year’s level, according to a summary document issued by House Democrats. The bill also includes $670 million for rail infrastructure improvements. Overall, the Federal Railroad Administration budget […]
Type of Train: Passenger/Transit
Low-level platforms
A track-level platform at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport station near Baltimore enables the use of the middle track, at bottom, for passenger boarding and detraining. Note the yellow step box behind the railing, for use with the lower platforms. Brian Schmidt Q I live near Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and see short track-level platform extensions at […]
Trump, governor spar over California high speed rail funds NEWSWIRE
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – President Donald Trump fired the latest salvo in the California High Speed Rail firestorm late Wednesday when he sent the following tweet: California has been forced to cancel the massive bullet train project after having spent and wasted many billions of dollars. They owe the Federal Government three and a half billion […]
How-to Library: C&NW Suburban Service, Part 1
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Now that David Popp has shared his fine design for a Chicago & North Western HO scale layout, it’s time for Cody Grivno to start building a signature fleet of suburban service commuter cars. Cody gets things started by showing you how […]
How-to Library: C&NW Suburban Service, Part 1
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Now that David Popp has shared his fine design for a Chicago & North Western HO scale layout, it’s time for Cody Grivno to start building a signature fleet of suburban service commuter cars. Cody gets things started by showing you how […]
Amtrak, New Jersey reach multi-million dollar settlement NEWSWIRE
Amtrak Chairman Anthony Coscia, left, speaks at a news conference in New York City Wednesday announcing a $189 million settlement agreement between the railroad and the state of New Jersey. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and NJ Transit Executive Director Kevin Corbett stand behind Coscia. Ralph Spielman NEW YORK CITY — New Jersey officials have […]
Amtrak to increase weekday service to Norfolk NEWSWIRE
Amtrak began serving Norfolk, Va., in December 2012. Fred W. Frailey NORFOLK, Va. – Amtrak will soon offer two weekday departures from Norfolk. Tickets are now available to purchase for travel to and from the waterfront city beginning on March 4. The first Northeast Regional departs Norfolk at 6:15 a.m. every weekday and arrives in […]
Dissecting ‘what’s next’ for California high speed rail NEWSWIRE
FRESNO, Calif. – California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s has tweeted a clarification following Tuesday’s “State of the State” address. He state, “We’re going to make high-speed rail a reality for California. We have the capacity to complete the rail between Merced and Bakersfield. We will continue our regional projects north and south. Finish phase 1 enviro […]
Infrastructure politics: Senate and House take up infrastructure spending bills NEWSWIRE
WASHINGTON — The wheels in Washington are beginning to turn on what could become landmark infrastructure legislation. “We are seeing are a lot of stars aligning,” says Brittney Kohler, program director of transportation and infrastructure at the National League of Cities. “The optimism is that Congress seems to understand, and local governments are prepared to […]
Virgin Trains USA delays public offering NEWSWIRE
A Miami-bound Brightline train crosses the New River at Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on May 11, 2018. Bob Johnston MIAMI – Virgin Trains USA has postponed its previously-announced public stock offering. Company spokesman Ben Porritt issued the following statement to financial reporting outlets: “As we explored a public offering, a number of alternative financing sources became […]
California governor sinks SF-LA high speed rail plans NEWSWIRE
A high speed rail bridge under construction over the Fresno River near Madera in May 2016. Two photos, Bob Johnston SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In his “state of the state” message Tuesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he intends to withdraw the state’s support of the California High Speed Rail Authority’s plans to build a […]
Japanese railroad, manufacturers working on 250-mph bullet train NEWSWIRE
TOKYO — One Japanese railroad seeks to push the latest high speed train technology to nearly 250 mph with a new passenger trainset in development. The English-language version of Kyodo News reports on a 10-car “next-generation Shinkansen” train with a designed top speed of about 224 mph. The news site reports that the East Japan […]