WASHINGTON — A survey commissioned by Amtrak has found strong support for spending on passenger rail service and infrastructure, with most of those responding calling for more passenger spending in their own states. The poll conducted by the Mellman Group surveyed 1,000 registered voters. Among its results: 92% support investment in passenger rail safety and […]
OTTAWA, Ontario — Ottawa has resumed some service on its light rail Confederation Line as of this morning (Tuesday, Aug. 8) and continues to plan for a full resumption of service on Monday, Aug. 14. Service resumed with five single-car trains between the Tunney’s Pasture and uOttawa stations, a seven-station segment on the west end […]
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has halted work on a project on state-owned tracks used by the Housatonic Railroad following a fatal accident last week, pending a safety review of the contractor hired for the track work. The Berkshire Eagle newspaper reports DOT spokeswoman Jacquelyn Goddard said in a written response […]
Freight locomotives on passenger trains can happen for a variety of reasons and make for memorable images. Early in Amtrak’s history, locomotives painted in the colors of freight-hauling railroads were common. In Amtrak’s “rainbow era” days, 50 years ago, the then-new National Railroad Passenger Corporation operated with leased or hand-me-down equipment, inherited from — and […]
NEW YORK — A union representing Metro-North Railroad employees has handed out flyers to commuters and placed ads in local newspapers warning of a potential strike as soon as September, the newspaper The Hour reports. Members of two locals of Transportation Workers Union, which represents approximately 600 inspectors, mechanics, and coach cleaners, voted last month […]
SANDPOINT, Idaho — Thanks to an all-day work window on Aug. 6, 2023, the final track segments have been put into place to complete BNSF Railway’s 2-mile double-tracking project at the east end of its busy “Funnel” between Spokane, Wash., and Sandpoint. Completion of the new 4,873-foot bridge across Lake Pend Oreille in November 2022 […]
AMSTERDAM, N.Y. — Tracks have been cleared and rail service can resume through the site of a CSX Transportation derailment that occurred west of Schenectady, N.Y., on Friday morning, a railroad representative told the Daily Gazette newspaper this afternoon (Monday, Aug. 7). Thirteen cars of a 157-car CSX train en route from Selkirk, N.Y. to […]
ORLANDO — Brightline is no longer selling tickets for Sept. 1-14 trips between West Palm Beach and Orlando, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the first day of revenue service will be Sept. 15. Responding to a Trains News Wire inquiry, Brightline issued the following statement late today (Monday, Aug. 7): “We’re working through the final […]
CHICAGO — Access to Chicago Union Station will change beginning this evening (Monday, Aug. 7) as the Chicago Department of Transportation begins an 18-month process to rehabilitate four viaducts on Canal Street between Taylor and Madison streets. As a result, no vehicle access to Union Station between West Adams Street and West Jackson Boulevard, and […]
WASHINGTON — Amtrak is considering the use of semi-permanent coupling in its next generation of long-distance trainsets, and as a result will seek regulatory approval to address accessibility requirements through accommodations throughout those trainsets, rather than in individual cars. That proposal is included in a website the passenger operator has launched as it seeks public […]
I hope you’ve enjoyed the tour we’ve taken of Amtrak’s short consists throughout the railroad’s history. Starting with the modern era, we then went back in time to the 1970s, then the 80s and 90s. This month, we’re looking at my favorite era of short Amtrak consists. Is it because that’s when I grew up? […]
WILLIAMS, Ariz. — Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel’s 2-8-2 No. 4960 returned to service after a month-and-a-half absence to lead the “First Saturday” steam excursion from Williams to the south rim of Grand Canyon National Park on Aug. 5. The scheduled July 1 trip was canceled due to high fire danger in the area, according […]
