Amtrak says it needs to make urgent repairs to its existing Hudson River tunnels — a process that could cost hundreds of millions of dollars — to address the potential for catastrophic failure of the century-old passageways between New Jersey and New York’s Penn Station. The Associated Press reports it has reviewed a not-yet-completed Amtrak […]
Charles L. Amos, who had notable careers as both a railroader and artist, and whose exceptional paintings were featured in Trains Magazine, has died at age 90. Amos began his railroading career as a Western Maryland Railway clerk in 1952, but made his way to train service, first as a brakeman and then as a […]
The newest arrival at the Monticello Railway Museum is Illinois & Midland RS1325 No. 31, shown being shoved toward the diesel house on the museum grounds. The former Chicago & Illinois Midland locomotive, one of just two of its type built by EMD, was picked up from Norfolk Southern in downtown Monticello, Ill., on Nov. […]
Still more Thursday morning rail news: Rocky Mountaineer to launch Colorado-Utah route in 2021 Canadian luxury train operator Rocky Mountaineer will launch a U.S. train in 2021. The “Rockies to the Red Rocks” service will be a two-day trip between Denver and Moab, Utah, with an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs, Colo. The company plans […]
More Thursday morning rail news: CTA approves budget, but still faces cuts without federal help The Chicago Transit Authority approved a 2021 operating budget of $1.645 billion on Wednesday, but warns significant service cuts could be on tap without additional federal aid. WTTW.com reports the agency faces a $327 budget gap without such aid, but […]
Thursday morning news on railroad awards and other recognition: CN, CSX, CP named to Dow Jones Sustainability Index Canadian National, CSX Transportation, and Canadian Pacific have been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, which measures companies on environmental, social, governance, and economic critiera. CN says in a news release that it is its 12th […]
Thursday morning rail news: CN should avoid layoffs unless virus causes another drop in traffic, CEO says Canadian National is likely to avoid further layoffs unless the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic causes a significant drop in rail traffic. The Canadian Press reports CEO JJ Ruest said Wednesday, after marking the 25th anniversary of […]
More Wednesday morning rail news: BNSF ends nighttime operations on Aurora, Ill., spur as neighbors complain about noise BNSF Railway has ended nighttime operations on an Aurora, Ill., spur that had led to complaints from neighbors about noise from train horns. Kane County Connects reports the railroad is resuming first-shift operations on the Nifa Spur […]
Wednesday midday rail news: MTA budget calls for 50% cut in commuter rail service, 40% cut for subways Massive service cuts, layoffs, and a $1 fare increase are all part of a Metropolitan Transportation Authority budget presented at an MTA board meeting on Wednesday as the agency faces its need to address the revenue loss […]
Wednesday morning rail news: Report: MTA will present budget with dramatic service cuts, almost 10,000 layoffs A report says New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority will present a budget to its board of directors Wednesday (today) calling for dramatic subway and bus service cuts, as well as the layoff of almost 10,000 workers. NY1.com reports sources […]
Still more Wednesday morning rail news: Transit agencies combine with Amtrak to form regional ‘Mask Force’ A group of transit agencies in New York and Philadelphia areas have joined with Amtrak to create a regional ‘Mask Force’ to encourage mask compliance on public transit. New York’s MTA, NJ Transit, the Port Authority of New York […]
WASHINGTON — NJ Transit is now considered the only railroad at risk of not meeting the Dec. 31, 2020, deadline for positive train control implementation, according to the latest assessment of PTC progress from the Federal Railroad Administration. The FRA’s third-quarter report, based on information received from railroads by Oct. 31, indicates that just 223 […]
