Two bills would fund studies of expanded Maine passenger service Maine legislators are considering two bills to study expanded passenger rail service in the state, while some residents would like to see state-owned rail corridors used for recreational trails. Currently, Maine’s only rail service, the Downeaster to Boston, terminates at Brunswick. WMTW-TV reports sponsors hope […]
Digest: Senators introduce bill to provide $1 billion for transit accessibility
Bill would provide grants for accessibility upgrades to transit systems Three U.S. Senators have introduced legislation that would provide $1 billion annually in grant funding to improve public transit accessibility for passengers with disabilities. Democratic Sens. Tammy Duckworth (Ill.), Sherrod Brown (Ohio), and Bob Casey (Pa.) have put forward the All Stations Accessibility Program Act […]
Anacostia short lines become partners in EPA SmartWay program
CHICAGO — Anacostia Rail Holding’s six short lines have become certified partners of the Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay Transportation Partnership, a collaboration between industry and environmental groups to track and reduce emissions and fuel use in the transportation sector. The more than 3,000 partners in the program, which launched in 2004, including railroads, trucking, air, […]
News photo: Union Pacific officers’ train in Colorado (updated)
An 11-car Union Pacific passenger train pauses at the east portal of Colorado’s Moffat Tunnel on Tuesday while passengers inspect the tunnel’s fan house and control room. The train arrived at Winter Park, Colo., on Monday morning, and departed about 2 p.m. today, stopping at the tunnel before continuing to Denver, where it is laying […]
Canadian National files KCS merger agreement, again seeks approval of voting trust
MONTREAL — Canadian National today filed its Kansas City Southern merger agreement with federal regulators, and asked the Surface Transportation Board to adopt an expedited schedule for reviewing its request to put KCS into a voting trust. In what CN termed a procedural move, the STB on Monday denied CN’s request to place KCS into […]
Major CN investor urges railway to drop KCS bid, citing regulatory risk (updated)
MONTREAL – One of Canadian National’s largest investors has urged the railway to abandon its pursuit of Kansas City Southern, saying it would be reckless in light of regulatory uncertainty surrounding the merger. The U.S. Surface Transportation Board yesterday denied, on procedural grounds, CN’s request to put KCS into a voting trust while the merger […]
News photos: UP Lenox Tower demolished
Demolition work began Monday on Union Pacific’s Lenox Tower in Mitchell, Ill., about 20 miles north of St. Louis. The tower is being razed to streamline the interlocking and remove a troublesome puzzle switch as part of a realignment project that will allow increased speeds for Amtrak Lincoln Service trains between Chicago and St. Louis. […]
Digest: Rail Runner to add service; Pittsburgh, SEPTA will ease restrictions
Rail Runner Express to resume full schedule New Mexico’s Rail Runner Express commuter rail service will resume a full schedule on May 24, about two months after resuming a limited schedule following a year-long shutdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to a full weekday schedule serving all stations, weekend service is also returning. […]
Evacuation order lifted after Iowa derailment
SIBLEY, Iowa — The evacuation order resulting from the derailment of a Union Pacific train in Sibley was lifted Monday evening, after fears of an explosion eased greatly authorities discovered a car believed to be carrying ammonium nitrate was actually empty. KCAU-TV reports about 400 people had been affected by the evacuation order, which was […]
Michigan Amtrak speeds increase; second Wolverine round trip to be added in July
LANSING, Mich. — Maximum speeds for Amtrak trains on one segment of the Chicago-Pontiac, Mich., corridor will increase to 110 mph as of Tuesday, May 25, and that corridor will see an additional round trip beginning July 19. The higher speed limit will come on 45 miles of state-owned tracks between Kalamazoo and Albion, Mich., […]
Final Metrolink F125 arrives in California
LOS ANGELES — BNSF Railway has delivered the last EMD F125 passenger locomotive to California’s Metrolink. The locomotive, SCAX No. 903 arrived last Thursday on special train J-BRCLAC9-08, with only No. 903 and two idler flatcars. Delivery of No. 903 was delayed due to parts shortages related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The locomotive’s arrival, almost […]
Digest: Supreme Court case asks whether a stopped train is ‘in use’
U.S. Supreme Court asks Solicitor General for opinion in case involving injured Union Pacific engineer The U.S. Supreme Court is asking the Biden Administration to take a position in a case involving Union Pacific that could affect the railroad’s liability for worker injuries. Reuters reports the court asked the U.S. Solicitor General’s office for an […]