MONTREAL — Watco will buy 650 miles of branch lines in Wisconsin and Michigan from Canadian National, along with 250 miles of the company’s Soo Subdivision in Ontario, the companies announced today. In Ontario, where it acquires the line between Sault Ste. Marie and Oba, Ont., Watco will provide freight operations and continue the […]
Digest: Union files grievance over Honolulu rail agency layoffs
Hawaii union files grievance over layoffs by rail transit agency Hawaii’s largest labor union has filed a grievance over layoffs by the agency building Honolulu’s problem-plagued light rail system. The Associated Press reports the Hawaii Government Employees Association says the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation has laid off dozens of workers without providing 90 days’ […]
Digest: MBTA says it will restore subway, bus service to pre-pandemic levels
MBTA to restore subway, bus service as quickly as possible, GM says The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, which has been heavily criticized for service cuts even as it received federal aid, now says it will look to restore subway and bus service to pre-pandemic levels as quickly as possible. WBUR reports MBTA General Manager Steve […]
Y’All Aboard? Much is riding on dispute over Gulf Coast passenger service
In a perfect world, we’d have fond memories of a bottle of champagne being ceremoniously smashed across the pilot of an Amtrak P42 heading the maiden trip of long-sought passenger service between Mobile, Ala., and New Orleans. And we’d be able to take the train to the beach at Biloxi or the aquarium at Gulfport, […]
Digest: Nebraska Railroad Museum receives land donation for new home
Land donated by BNSF to become new home of Nebraska Railroad Museum The Nebraska Railroad Museum has received a donation of 8 acres of land from BNSF Railway in Nebraska City, Neb., which will become the museum’s home. Cleanup and evaluation of the existing infrastructure, which includes 2,000 feet of track, has begun. The museum […]
Digest: Contractor warns of new delays in California High Speed project, citing land-acquisition issues
Contractor informs California high speed agency of new delays A contractor on California’s high speed rail project has told the state high speed rail agency that it will not complete a 65-mile section of the railway in the Central Valley until at least April 2025, almost two years after the target date in the agency’s […]
Colebrookdale Railroad acquires a second steam locomotive
BOYERTOWN, Pa. — In cooperation with the Maguire Family Foundation, tourist line Colebrookdale Railroad announced on March 27 that it has acquired former Rio Grande Scenic Railroad 2-8-0 No. 18. The engine was built for the Lake Superior & Ishpeming in Upper Michigan by Alco (Pittsburgh) in 1910. The acquisition comes after the railroad said […]
Digest: Academy Awards lead to changes for Amtrak at LA Union Station
Use of LA Union Station for Oscars leads to Amtrak operation changes Amtrak operations at Los Angeles Union Station will be affected April 5-27 by the station’s use as one of two sites for the 93rd Academy Awards, to be held April 25. From April 5 to 23, and April 26-27, Thruway buses will be […]
Digest: CSX train derails in Nashville
No injuries reported as CSX train derails in Nashville Sixteen cars of a CSX Transportation train derailed early this morning in Nashville, Tenn., leading to a brief shelter-in-place order from authorities until it was determined there was no hazardous-material threat. A statement from CSX reports the derailment occurred about 3:07 a.m. CDT near West Due […]
Federal regulators reject short line plan to revive UP’s Tennessee Pass line
WASHINGTON — It’s back to the drawing board for Rio Grande Pacific’s plans to lease and revive Union Pacific’s long-dormant route over Tennessee Pass in Colorado. The Surface Transportation Board on Thursday rejected the exemption that Rio Grande Pacific sought for the transaction. Under board rules, small deals such as a lease or sale of […]
April 2021
In every issue News p. 4 Interview: NJ Transit CEO discusses successful effort to meet PTC deadline Bill Stephens p. 9 A house near the tracks: There’s no better place to learn to love trains Brian Solomon p. 10 Passenger and freight separation? Considering the effects of dividing railroad networks Preservation p. 44 Eight events to look forward to in 2021 Train-Watching p. […]
Digest: Legislation would create permanent funding for Amtrak
Senator, Congressman introduce bills to create dedicated funding source for Amtrak U.S. Sen. Richard Blumental (D-Conn.) and U.S. Rep Danny Davis (D-Ill.) have introduced legislation to provide permanent, dedicated funding for Amtrak. The Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act would create a fund providing approximately $5.4 billion annually for repairs, service improvements, fleet modernization and […]