WASHINGTON — Transit projects would receive $13.5 billion and Amtrak would get $2.7 billion as part of $88 billion devoted to the U.S. Department of Transportation under the Biden Administration budget proposal submitted to Congress today. “This budget reflects our Administration’s priorities, and responds to our country’s needs,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a […]
Section: News & Reviews
Bachmann’s new N scale Hudson is on the test track!
The iconic class J3 Hudson pulled New York Central’s Great Steel Fleet until streamlined diesels entered the scene after World War II. This well-detailed N scale model features a dual-mode SoundTraxx Econami sound decoder and fine details. Check out the video! […]
Digest: U.S. Sugar to use steam locomotive on final train of sugar cane harvest
Steam-powered train to mark end of Florida sugar cane harvest The public is invited Monday to see U.S. Sugar’s Sugar Express steam locomotive, 4-6-2 No. 148, operate on the last cane train of the season, signaling the end of the sugar cane harvest. The train is slated to depart the Sugarton Elevator west of Clewiston, […]
Digest: FRA, FTA release key documents on Gateway tunnel project
Release of environmental report, Record of Decision allows Gateway tunnel project to move forward The Federal Railroad Administration and Federal Transit Administration have issued the final Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision on the Gateway tunnel project under the Hudson River, which clears the way for the project to receive federal funding. “This […]
Authorities say San Jose shooter had harbored anger about job
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Authorities now say the gunman in Wednesday’s mass shooting at a Valley Transportation Authority light rail facility had long been angry about his workplace, something federal officials had discovered well before the shooting. A ninth victim died of injuries from the shooting late Wednesday. The victims, men ages 29 to 63, […]
Digest: Deal appears to be in place to keep Ontario’s Huron Central running
Deal will provide $33 million for Huron Central route repairs The threatened closure of Ontario’s Huron Central Railway appears to have again been averted. Northern Ontario Business reports the co-chair of a task force working to save the 173-mile line between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury says the railroad is “comfortable that it will in […]
Major construction complete on New York’s East Side Access project
NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has completed major construction on East Side Access, the $11 billion project bringing the Long Island Rail Road to a new station beneath Grand Central Terminal, and test trains will begin running this summer. New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced the completion of construction work on project […]
Union Pacific announces locomotive honoring Employee Resource Groups
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Union Pacific has announced it will introduce a locomotive with a commemorative paint scheme honoring its Employee Resource Groups, organizations which seek to support the railroad’s diversity efforts. The “We Are One” locomotive carries No. 1979, marking the year the first such group, the Black Employee Network, was established. It […]
Amtrak ‘Corridor Vision’ report addresses expansion plans, calls for $75 billion
WASHINGTON — Amtrak today released a report offering more details on the “Connect US” map it released earlier this year for service expansion. What the company is calling its “Corridor Vision” report calls for a $75 billion federal investment over 75 years to add 39 new routes and enhance service on 25 others, leading to […]
STB chairman critical of Wall Street influence on railroads, questions need for mergers (updated)
WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Surface Transportation Board says he’s concerned that pressure from Wall Street is undermining railroad service and questioned the need for major railroad mergers. “Our mandate as an agency … is to ensure and protect a strong national rail network. That’s why we exist. And everything we do should be aimed […]
Digest: CP says CN plan to sell line in Louisiana fails to address larger competitive concerns
CP calls CN plan to sell KCS line ‘token divestment,’ remains critical of merger’s competitive impact Canadian Pacific says Canadian National’s plans to divest a Kansas City Southern line in Louisiana is “clear recognition” of the competitive issues created by the proposed CN-KCS merger. In a Thursday statement, CP also said the “token divestment” would […]
U.S. rail volume continues to outpace 2020 figures
WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic remains well ahead of 2020 figures —both for the week ending May 22 and in year-to-date totals — according to the latest statistics released by the Association of American Railroads. For the week, U.S. railroads moved 242,227 carloads — up 27.2% over the corresponding week in 2020 — and 286,547 intermodal […]