An aging ex-Amtrak P40, minimally relettered for Shore Line East commuter service, leads a westbound train through Brook Interlocking in Old Saybrook, Conn., in September 2017. Some rail service on the route has been replaced by buses since April 2018, but restoration of those trains will begin Jan. 22. Scott A. Hartley HARTFORD, Conn. — […]
Type of Train: Passenger/Transit
‘Lake Shore’, ‘Capitol’ get hot entrees; coach passengers left in the cold
Amtrak’s “Beef short rib” meal Bob Johnston WASHINGTON — Characterizing the change as an “evolution,” Amtrak says sleeping car passengers will have new meal options on the Chicago-New York/Boston Lake Shore Limited and Chicago-Washington, D. C., Capitol Limited starting this week. On June 1, 2018, Amtrak reduced dining car staffs on those trains from a […]
New York MTA emergency board meeting will result in Jan. 24 vote on the L-train’s future NEWSWIRE
NEW YORK — New Yorkers are a hearty group; bad hurricanes, horrible weather, monster traffic delays, commuter transit nightmares and even local restaurant closings are usually dealt with mild invective and a shrug, but L-train reconstruction has riders using stronger invectives as involuntary changes re-shape their lives, possibly the next two years. There was an […]
How’s Amtrak doing in the fight vs. winter? NEWSWIRE
The westbound Empire Builder prepares to leave Minot, N.D. on March 1, 2007. North Dakota has been largely spared of heavy snowfall totals this winter. Bob Johnston WASHINGTON — Not mentioned in reports of cancelled flights and accident-strewn snowbound highways as a major winter storm moved from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic region last weekend […]
Metra cab video shows engineer’s view of grade crossing failure NEWSWIRE
CHICAGO — Newly released video taken from the cab of a Metra commuter train shows the train narrowly missing a vehicle as it passed through a crossing where the gates had not lowered. It was the second video of a harrowing close call that took place Nov. 9 on the Metra Rock Island Line tracks at […]
Metra: Three trains passed crossing with faulty signals, gates NEWSWIRE
CHICAGO — Not one but three Metra trains passed through a grade crossing in Mokena, Ill., where the gates and signals had failed to operate properly, narrowly missing several vehicles, Metra officials acknowledged Wednesday. The incidents took place Nov. 9 on Metra’s Rock Island line at the 191st Street crossing. A near hit involving one […]
Several light rail projects to debut in 2019 NEWSWIRE
A Denver RTD light rail train approaches the University of Denver station in September 2018. The system is slated to open a 2.3-mile extension in 2019. TRAINS: David Lassen This is part two of Trains News Wire’s look at transit projects in 2019. Tuesday’s part 1 is available here. Today’s article focuses on light rail […]
2019 to be a boom year for transit projects NEWSWIRE
A TEXRail train passes the station at Grapevine, Texas. The first new transit system of 2019, TEXRail began full service on Jan. 10. Lance Lassen Denver RTD’s G Line, using the same equipment shown on the A Line route serving the airport, is expected to open in 2019. TRAINS: David Lassen First of two parts […]
Metra, Amtrak service resume on CN route to Joliet NEWSWIRE
A Metra Heritage Corridor train approaches the Lemont, Ill., station in April 2016. Service on the line has resumed after Monday’s cancellations because of a freight derailment. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — Metra and Amtrak service have resumed on Canadian National’s line between Chicago and Joliet following a one-day interruption because of a freight-train derailment. […]
New Mexico commuter ridership continues to fall NEWSWIRE
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico Rail Runner ridership continued to decline in fiscal 2018, marking its eighth straight year of decreases, and a report issued ahead of the start of the state legislative session suggests ways to stem the decline. The Associated Press reports that the more than 750,000 rides in the most recent fiscal […]
CN derailment cancels Metra Heritage service, affects Amtrak (additional updates) NEWSWIRE
A Metra Heritage Corridor train arrives at the Willow Springs, Ill., station in February 2016. Heritage Corridor service was cancelled Monday morning because of a freight train derailment between Willow Springs and Lockport, Ill. TRAINS: David Lassen A tank car shows the aftereffects of Monday’s early morning derailment of a CN train in Willow Springs, […]
New Metra schedule for PTC operation on Rock Island to debut Jan. 28 NEWSWIRE
A Metra train led by the Rock Island-painted unit honoring former CEO Don Orseno arrives at Blue Island, Ill., on Jan. 2, 2018. Metra will introduce a new schedule on the Rock Island District on Jan. 28, reflecting rider input and changes to allow positive train control operation. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — Metra will […]