NEW YORK — An independent report released Monday contends Amtrak’s Hudson River tunnels can be repaired while the tunnels remain in service, contrary to a longstanding belief that the tunnels cannot be fully refurbished until they can be taken out of service following the construction of the proposed Gateway Project tunnel between New Jersey and […]
Section: News & Reviews
News Photo: Cleanup of CSX Baltimore derailment continues
Cleanup continues of a CSX derailment Monday night in North Baltimore, Md., although one track of the rail line was reopened as of 6 a.m. Tuesday morning. The Capital Gazette reports 21 cars of the 109-car train, en route from Avon, Ind., to Philadelphia, derailed about 6:30 p.m. Monday night. There were no injuries and […]
Digest: Norfolk Southern derailment blocks line near Cincinnati
Tuesday midday rail news: NS train derails near Cincinnati, blocking route Norfolk Southern is reporting to shippers that a derailment of a manifest train west of Cincinnati this morning has blocked a single-track main line and resulted in track and switch damage. The railroad estimates service will be restored by 5 p.m. today. The accident […]
Digest: Bay Area transit workers ask for use of capital funds to avoid layoffs
Tuesday morning transit news: Labor groups ask Bay Area agency to use capital funds to prevent layoffs A coalition of labor groups are asking the agency which coordinates transit planning in the San Francisco Bay Area to set aside $100 million to prevent layoffs to hundreds of employees. The Marin Independent Journal reports the Metropolitan […]
Class I railroad executives tout growth prospects, customer focus
Top executives from Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, CSX Transportation, and Norfolk Southern last week touted the industry’s growth prospects and the ways they are working to make railroads better able to compete against trucks. Their remarks, made at the RailTrends 2020 conference, came a day after consulting firm Oliver Wyman released a survey that showed […]
Rocky Mountaineer targets ‘California Zephyr’ scenery with SilverLeaf cars
DENVER — Canadian rail tour operator Rocky Mountaineer will utilize its glass-topped single-level coaches and introduce a lounge car as part of a new SilverLeaf Plus class when it begins operation from Denver to Moab, Utah, next August. The “Rockies to Red Rocks” cruise operation announced last week [see “Digest: Rocky Mountaineer to launch Colorado-Utah […]
Pike’s Peak Railway getting new snow blower
MANITOU, Colo. — New railroad snowfighting equipment is relatively rare, but there’s a new snow clearing tool on its way to Colorado. The Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway has ordered a new snow blower as part of its $100 million renovation project. The new snow blower, produced by Zaugg in Eggiwil, Switzerland, will […]
John Barriger IV, railroad executive and co-founder of rail library, dies at 93
If anyone could demolish the aphorism that talent skips a generation, it was Jack Barriger. A third-generation railroader, he built a distinguished career as a Santa Fe Railway executive, only to make as big a mark in retirement as a leader in preserving the industry’s heritage. He also embraced his status as the son of […]
Digest: VIA plans for Western Canada service uncertain as virus cases increase (updated)
More Monday morning rail news: With COVID-19 upswing, restart of VIA service in Western Canada not certain VIA Rail Canada plans to restart service on the route of the Canadian between Vancouver, British Columbia and Winnipeg, Manitoba, are continuing, but are not final, the Winnipeg Free Press reports. The plans to resume service on Dec. […]
Digest: Utah considers cog railway to serve ski resorts
Still more Monday morning rail news: Utah to consider cog railway to serve recreational area A cog railway has been added to the list of options under consideration by the Utah Department of Transportation to address traffic congestion in Little Cottonwood Canyon, a popular recreation area which includes the Snowbird and Alta ski areas. The […]
Digest: LIRR, with just 5 miles of PTC still to complete, says it will meet deadline
Monday morning rail news: Long Island Rail Road, with 5 miles of PTC still to complete, says it will meet deadline The Long Island Rail Road has one 5-mile section of track that does not yet have positive train control in service, but says it will complete the job before the Dec. 31 deadline. Newsday […]
Digest: Brightline, Disney World sign agreement for station
Monday midday rail news: Brightline, Disney World announce station agreement Brightline and Walt Disney World have announced an agreement to build a Brightline station at to serve the resort at the Disney Springs shopping, dining, and entertainment complex. The preliminary concept calls for ground level lobby and passenger facilities with an upper-level train platform. “Brightline […]