Digest: DC Metro approves budget with buyouts, service cuts

DC Metro logo

Friday morning rail transit and budget news: DC Metro approves budget with service cuts, buyout plan The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority board unanimously approved service cuts and a buyout plan intended to reduce layoffs as part of a budget addressing $176 million shortfall as a result of COVID-19. The Washington Post reports the agency […]

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Analysis: FRA seeks Amtrak, host railroad scheduling cooperation

The northbound Silver Meteor arrives at Deland, Fla., in March 2016

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration’s release this week of its “Metrics and Minimum Standards for Intercity Passenger Rail Service” will require a revamp of virtually all U.S. intercity passenger train schedules, as well as operating agreements between Amtrak and its host railroads. That was the plan all along, according to FRA Administrator Ron Batory. […]

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Amtrak report details urgent need for Hudson Tunnel repairs

damage to the walls of the Hudson River tunnel

Amtrak says it needs to make urgent repairs to its existing Hudson River tunnels — a process that could cost hundreds of millions of dollars — to address the potential for catastrophic failure of the century-old passageways between New Jersey and New York’s Penn Station. The Associated Press reports it has reviewed a not-yet-completed Amtrak […]

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News photo: RS1325 arrives at museum

The Monticello Railway Museum's newly acquired RS1325

The newest arrival at the Monticello Railway Museum is Illinois & Midland RS1325 No. 31, shown being shoved toward the diesel house on the museum grounds. The former Chicago & Illinois Midland locomotive, one of just two of its type built by EMD, was picked up from Norfolk Southern in downtown Monticello, Ill., on Nov. […]

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Digest: Rocky Mountaineer to launch Colorado-Utah route

A Rocky Mountaineer train

Still more Thursday morning rail news: Rocky Mountaineer to launch Colorado-Utah route in 2021 Canadian luxury train operator Rocky Mountaineer will launch a U.S. train in 2021. The “Rockies to the Red Rocks” service will be a two-day trip between Denver and Moab, Utah, with an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs, Colo. The company plans […]

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Digest: CTA approves budget, but warns of possible cuts

The Chicago Transit Authority logo

More Thursday morning rail news: CTA approves budget, but still faces cuts without federal help The Chicago Transit Authority approved a 2021 operating budget of $1.645 billion on Wednesday, but warns significant service cuts could be on tap without additional federal aid. WTTW.com reports the agency faces a $327 budget gap without such aid, but […]

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Digest: CN, CSX, CP named to Dow Jones Sustainability Index

Dow Jones Sustainability Index logo

Thursday morning news on railroad awards and other recognition: CN, CSX, CP named to Dow Jones Sustainability Index Canadian National, CSX Transportation, and Canadian Pacific have been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, which measures companies on environmental, social, governance, and economic critiera. CN says in a news release that it is its 12th […]

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