DURANGO, Colo. — The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge temporarily suspended operations this week because of fire danger just eight days into its spring season, reflecting new operating rules the railroad agreed to as part of a settlement with the federal government earlier this year. The Durango Herald reports trains stopped running as of Sunday, […]
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Top DC Metro officials resign in wake of operator certification problem
WASHINGTON — The fallout from DC Metrorail’s failure to maintain retraining and certification for its train operators has claimed its two top officials, as the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority board accepted the resignation of outgoing General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld and Chief Operating Officer Joseph Leader. Meanwhile, the transit agency took another hit on […]
Metrolink adds chief safety officer
LOS ANGELES — Commuter rail operator Metrolink has named Frank Castellon as its chief safety, security, and compliance officer. Castellon’s background includes safety and security systems with Portland-area agency TriMet, Valley Metro in Phoenix, LA Metro, and Bombardier Transportation North America. Most recently, he was vice president of environmental, health, safety, and quality for Peak […]
Pacific Surfliners to add on-board program for small pets
ORANGE, Calif. — Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner is adding a carry-on pet program beginning May 20, expanding the locations where the passenger operator allows passengers to bring along small dogs and cats. Dogs and cats weighing up to 20 pounds may be brought aboard in a carrier which should remain under the passenger’s seat. There is […]
No long-distance routes meet FRA on-time standard in latest Amtrak stats
WASHINGTON — Sixteen of 43 Amtrak routes, none of them long-distance operations, met the 80% customer on-time performance threshold established by the Federal Railroad Administration in first-quarter 2022 statistics released Tuesday by the FRA. The latest quarterly stats are the first to use all of the metrics established by the FRA [see “FRA publishes final […]
Second RS1325 may be preserved
SANFORD, N.C. — One of just two RS1325 locomotives built by EMD, which had been in danger of being scrapped, may be saved following a Facebook post from a local railfan sounding an alert about the diesel’s status. Former Chicago & Illinois Midland No. 30 has been at North Carolina’s Atlantic & Western Railway since […]
News photos: Gettysburg & Northern GP10s on borrowed time?
GETTYSBURG, Pa. — Time may be short for the GP10 locomotives that handle traffic on the Gettysburg & Northern, a 27-mile Pioneer Lines short line connecting to CSX Transportation at Gettysburg and Norfolk Southern at Mt. Holly Springs, Pa. Photographer William Anderson reports that the railroad is currently testing a CEFX (CIT Rail) lease unit, […]
American Z Line May 2022 locomotive announcements
American Z Line May 2022 locomotive announcements Scale: Z (1:220) Price: Contact manufacturer Era: Southern Ry. Alco PA-1, 1953 to 1965; CSX Electro-Motive Division SW1500, 2002 to present Manufacturer: American Z Line, 6142 Northcliff Blvd., Dublin, OH 43016, 614-764-1703, americanzline.com CSX EMD SW1500 features: AutoLatch couplers Directional light-emitting-diode lighting Blackened metal wheels Traction tires Adapters […]
Ohio governor asks state agency to explore Amtrak expansion
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has asked the state’s rail agency to explore the “feasibility and cost” of potential expansion of Amtrak service in the state, the first time DeWine has indicated interest in further pursuing new routes included in Amtrak’s “Connects US” proposal. Cleveland.com reports that a spokesman for the governor said […]
FRA unveils Corridor ID and Development program: news and analysis
WASHINGTON — Last week, the Federal Railroad Administration met the deadline set by lawmakers to establish a $1.8 billion Corridor Identification and Development program, characterized by the agency as “a formal framework to guide the future development of intercity passenger rail throughout the country.” However, additional application details need to be issued before it is […]
DC Metrorail removes operators from service over lack of recertification
WASHINGTON — In the latest setback for the Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority’s troubled Metrorail system, 72 train operators have been removed from service for failing to receive mandatory retraining for at least year, and the agency has acknowledged that at least half its 500 operators lack the requiring recertification testing and training. Those removed […]
Engineering, construction firms selected for Uinta Basin project
FORT WORTH, Texas — The engineering and construction teams have been selected for Utah’s Uinta Basin Railway project, parent Rio Grande Pacific Corp. has announced. Companies selected to take part in development of the 85-mile railroad in northeastern Utah are: — AECOM, which will design the railroad, except for its tunnels; — Skanska-WW Clyde Joint […]