Illinois EPA seeks action on tank car incident in Wood River, Ill. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency said it has asked the state’s Attorney General’s Office to pursue legal action against the Phillips 66 refinery in Roxana, Ill., over the venting of sulfuric acid from four tank cars in Wood River, Ill., that began last […]
Zone & Region: Canada
Problems with lead in water supply sidelines new Siemens cars for Amtrak
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Problems with lead in restroom water supplies have delayed the introduction of new Siemens passenger cars for state-supported Amtrak service in California and the Midwest, but Siemens says it has a solution to the problem. The Sacramento Bee reports the issue was discovered during routine testing last November, according to Caltrans spokesman […]
Digest: Amtrak Capitol Corridor service to increase June 7
Capitol Corridor increases service for the first time since June 2020 California’s Capitol Corridor Amtrak service will increase as of Monday, June 7, with San Jose-Sacramento service going from 16 to 22 trips daily, while Oakland-San Jose service will return to the pre-pandemic level of 14 trips daily. Also, the Richmond Standard reports, Café Car […]
Digest: FBI agent charged in shooting onboard DC Metro train
FBI agent faces attempted murder charge for shooting on Metrorail train An FBI agent has been charged with second-degree attempted murder as a result of a 2020 shooting aboard a DC Metro subway train. The Washington Post reports Eduardo Valdivia, 37, was also charged with first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and use of a firearm in […]
VIA Rail Canada annual meeting offers few forward-looking details
MONTREAL— Against a backdrop assuring continued service interruptions, VIA Rail Canada released its annual pre-recorded public meeting last week, with brief reports from Chairman Francoise Bertrand, President and CEO Cynthia Garneau, and Chief Financial Officer Marie-Claude Cardin. The meeting came as the Canada-U.S. border remains closed through at least June 21, Canadian vaccinations are lagging, […]
Digest: Transport Canada issues new rules on track maintenance
Transport Canada issues series of new rules on track maintenance Transport Canada issued new rules on track inspection and management on Monday updating the agency’s Rules Respecting Track Safety on a number of fronts, to be addressed in three stages. As outlined in a ministerial order, the first stage addresses training, verification, and record-keeping for […]
Digest: FRA, FTA release key documents on Gateway tunnel project
Release of environmental report, Record of Decision allows Gateway tunnel project to move forward The Federal Railroad Administration and Federal Transit Administration have issued the final Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision on the Gateway tunnel project under the Hudson River, which clears the way for the project to receive federal funding. “This […]
Digest: Deal appears to be in place to keep Ontario’s Huron Central running
Deal will provide $33 million for Huron Central route repairs The threatened closure of Ontario’s Huron Central Railway appears to have again been averted. Northern Ontario Business reports the co-chair of a task force working to save the 173-mile line between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury says the railroad is “comfortable that it will in […]
Digest: CP says CN plan to sell line in Louisiana fails to address larger competitive concerns
CP calls CN plan to sell KCS line ‘token divestment,’ remains critical of merger’s competitive impact Canadian Pacific says Canadian National’s plans to divest a Kansas City Southern line in Louisiana is “clear recognition” of the competitive issues created by the proposed CN-KCS merger. In a Thursday statement, CP also said the “token divestment” would […]
Canadian contrasts
Canadian contrasts Canadian National U-4-a 6404’s rounded contours contrast with the angular lines of a nearby SW1200RS diesel switcher, although the 4-8-4’s traditional-style signal/marker lamps, boxy numberboards, and spoked engine-truck wheels detract from its streamlined appearance. Jim Shaughnessy photo […]
Digest: Pacific Surfliner to require reservations on peak summer weekends
Pacific Surfliners to require reservations on four weekends; more could be added Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner will require reservations for travel on peak weekends this suffer, a move to manage capacity when more travelers are anticipated. Four weekends have been designated for the reservation requirement — Memorial Day weekend (May 28-June 1), Fourth of July weekend […]
Digest: News report says official leaves California high speed rail agency after investigation
No. 2 official departs from California high speed agency The No. 2 official at the California High-Speed Rail Authority has left the agency as the result of an investigation, the Los Angeles Times reports. Chief Operating Officer Joe Hedges left the agency as of Tuesday following an investigation that began last year with an anonymous […]