As transit agencies plot their recovery from the devastating effects of the 2020 pandemic, a common denominator is emerging: more riders need city buses than suburban trains. The revelation portends diminishing investment in rail. Commuter rail systems typically serve affluent suburban residents, more of whom work in office environments. In large part, those offices have […]
Magazine: Trains Magazine
Key House transportation figures win reelection
Notable federal results with transportation significance from Tuesday’s election: — The three leadership figures on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure all won reelection. In Oregon, Democrat Peter DeFazio, chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, defeated challenger Alek Skarlatos to win the state’s 4th Congressional District with 58% of the vote, according […]
Digest: Metrolink to revise schedules Nov. 16
Wednesday morning rail news: Metrolink to make schedule changes Nov. 16 Six of Metrolink’s seven lines will see schedule adjustments on Nov. 16, with a total of nine trains on the LA-area commuter rail system dropped because of low ridership. Three trains will be added; other changes include creation of two express trains and some […]
Digest: Huron Central, preparing for shutdown, notifies employees of layoffs
More Wednesday midday rail news: Huron Central gives employees notice of job termination, still hopes for government support Huron Central Railway, the 179-mile Genesee & Wyoming short line between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury, Ontario, has given employees formal notice that their jobs will be terminated with the end of railway operations on Dec. 18. SooToday.com says […]
AAR statistics show U.S. volume increases for week, October as a whole
WASHINGTON — Overall U.S. intermodal and carload rail traffic continued creeping upward in the week ending Oct. 31, while statistics for October as a whole showed a similar increase. Statistics released by the Association of American Railroads show a total of 520,778 carloads and intermodal units moved in the week, a 2.1% increase over the […]
Digest: Evacuation lifted around KCS derailment as cleanup continues
Tuesday morning rail news: Evacuation lifted around KCS derailment; cleanup continues The remaining evacuation area around last week’s Kansas City Southern derailment in Mauriceville, Texas, was lifted Monday night, and local elementary and middle schools will return to class today. KBMT-TV reports that only three houses had remained inside the evacuation area before two railcars of hazardous […]
Digest: Domestic traffic drives third-quarter increase in intermodal volume
More Tuesday morning rail news: Domestic traffic boosts third-quarter intermodal volume North American intermodal volume rose 1.2% in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the same period a year earlier, thanks to the strength of domestic container and trailer traffic, according to figures from the Intermodal Association of North America. Domestic volume increased 9.8% […]
Digest: Artists surprised whale’s tail sculpture supported train
More Tuesday morning rail news: Artists surprised whale’s tail sculpture, made of thin composite material, supported train The whale’s tail sculpture that supported a Rotterdam metro train after it overran the end of an elevated track in the suburb of Spijkenisse, Netherlands, is a hollow plastic structure with a skin that’s just 6 millimeters (less […]
Boiler for SP No. 1744 moved to Antonito, Colo., shop to begin restoration
SUNOL, Calif. — The boiler of Southern Pacific 2-6-0 No. 1744 has been moved to the Stockton Locomotive Works shop in Antonito, Colo., for restoration, concluding the move portion of the Pacific Locomotive Association effort to return the 1901 Baldwin-built locomotive to service. Work on the running gear for the locomotive, which operated out of […]
Two rail issues on Transportation Safety Board of Canada’s Watchlist
GATINEAU, Quebec — Two rail-specific issues, and others with rail connection, are on the Transportation Safety Board of Canada’s Watchlist 2020 of key transportation safety issues. The agency issued the annual list, in its 10th years, on Thursday. New to the list, which includes eight items, is “unplanned or uncontrolled movement of railway equipment” [addressed in […]
Digest: Caltrain to consider schedule changes to better suit essential workers, transit-dependent
Friday morning rail news: Caltrain to consider new schedule aimed toward essential workers, transit dependent Caltrain’s board of directors will consider schedule changes intended to improve service for essential workers and transit-dependent riders who rely on the San Francisco Bay Area commuter. The proposed Base Service Plan schedule to be reveiwed at the board’s Nov. […]
Digest: Evacuation area reduced around KCS wreck; schools remain closed
More Friday morning rail news: Evacuation area reduced around KCS wreck; schools stay closed, power restored The evacuation area around Thursday’s Kansas City Southern derailment in Mauriceville, Texas, was reduced Thursday night, although some residents remained out of their homes because of five tank cars that were breached in the accident. The Beaumont Enterprise reports that four […]
