News Wire Digest Second Section for Feb. 21 (updated) NEWSWIRE

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More Friday morning rail news: — The Tennessee legislature’s transportation committee has passed a bill supporting a feasibility study for Amtrak service between Nashville and Atlanta, responding to an idea proposed by Amtrak in January [see “Amtrak suggests new routes to Tennessee legislative committee,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 17, 2020]. Curbed Atlanta reports the study […]

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Trains News Wire Digest for Friday, Feb. 21 NEWSWIRE

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A Long Island Rail Road train arrives at Jamaica station on Aug. 18, 2019. The LIRR’s efforts to implement positive train control face a new issue involving interoperability with Amtrak trains. TRAINS: David Lassen A look at Friday morning rail news: — Installation of positive train control on the Long Island Rail Road faces a […]

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A look inside new Acela’s power car NEWSWIRE

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The left operator’s screen displays brake pressure, power consumption, and other information. The temporary wi-fi antenna above the screen facilitated transmission of data from sensors during the train’s trip to Colorado. Bob Johnston The screen shown above is to the left of the operator’s seat, which is centered in the cab interior. TRAINS: David Lassen […]

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AAR: US rail traffic tanked for the week of Feb. 15, 2020 NEWSWIRE

Association of American Railroads US weekly traffic report for the week ended Feb. 15, 2020

Association of American Railroads WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads on Wednesday reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Feb. 15, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 479,137 carloads and intermodal units, down 8.6% compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending Feb. 15 […]

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Blockades lead to VIA, CN layoffs NEWSWIRE

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VIA Rail Canada has laid off 1,000 workers as a result of the blockades of rail lines at locations across Canada, joining about 450 Canadian National workers laid off earlier this week. Some of the Canadian passenger carrier’s plans to partially restore service were thwarted Wednesday as new blockades appeared. The blockades are part of […]

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News Wire Digest for Thursday, Feb. 20 NEWSWIRE

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Thursday morning rail news: — The Colorado Department of Transportation and Union Pacific have reached agreement on sale of 59 acres of the former Burnham Yard, UP’s ex-Rio Grande facility in downtown Denver. Colorado Public Radio says the non-binding agreement sets a price of $50 million for the land, which could be used for a […]

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News Wire Digest second section for Thursday, Feb. 20 NEWSWIRE

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More Thursday morning rail news: — U.S. Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) will introduce legislation to help fund completion of California’s high speed rail project at a Friday event in Madera, Calif. According to a press release, the High-Speed Rail Corridor Development Act of 2020 would provide $32 billion in funding for projects in federal designated […]

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Trains News Wire Digest for Wednesday, Feb. 19 NEWSWIRE

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Wednesday morning rail news: — Quebec has entered into an economic development agreement with the James Bay Cree that would see new rail lines and roads built in northern Quebec. Work on the C$4.7 billion dollar deal would take place in see phases and see roads and rail extended as far north as Whapmagoostui and […]

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Canadian blockades continue; CN says layoffs ‘imminent’ NEWSWIRE

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday his government remained focused on resolving the protests that have blocked rail lines “quickly and peacefully,” but Canadian National Railway’s frustration at the ongoing protests is continuing to grow. Sean Finn, CN’s senior vice president and chief legal officer told the Globe and Mail, “This has been long […]

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