The continued strength of intermodal traffic lifted overall U.S. rail volume for November to a 3.1% increase over that of November 2019, according to statistics from the Association of American Railroads, while traffic for the week ending Nov. 28 was up 3.7% over the same week a year earlier. “U.S. rail traffic continued to make […]
Wednesday morning rail news: New Senate bill would provide virus relief funding for transit, Amtrak Transit systems would receive $15 billion and Amtrak would get $1 billion under a new $908 billion, bipartisan Senate COVID-19 relief proposal introduced Tuesday. Reuters reports that in all, transportation — including airlines, airports, and private buses — would receive $45 billion […]
More Wednesday morning rail news: San Francisco Muni to resume service on parts of two lines, but underground routes to remain closed San Francisco Muni will resume light rail service on one line later this month, and add another line in January, but the underground portion will remain closed into spring 2021. The San Francisco Chronicle […]
More Wednesday midday rail news: Investigation of DC Metro train separation finds loose bolts Preliminary investigation of a Nov. 24 incident in which a DC Metro train separated while in motion has found five bolts were loose on top of the coupler assembly at the point of separation. The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, in a […]
Tuesday morning rail news: Two women charged with terrorist attack after disrupting BNSF signaling in Washington Two Bellingham, Wash., women have been charged with a terrorist attack and other violence against a railroad carrier after allegedly placing a shunt on BNSF Railway tracks near a Bellingham grade crossing, disrupting crossing gates. The Bellingham Herald reports Samantha […]
More Tuesday morning rail news: South Shore moves closer to start of Double Track project with demolition agreement In another step toward the start of the South Shore Line’s Double Track project, the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District Board of Trustees on Monday approved a $2.7 million contract for demolition work in Michigan City, Ind. The […]
More Tuesday midday rail news: KCS announces challenge grant for Holiday Express fundraiser Kansas City Southern says its Holiday Express fundraiser benefiting the Salvation Army has raised $148,115, and is issuing a challenge grant to raise more. Railroad CEO Patrick J. Ottensmeyer said in a press release that to mark Giving Tuesday, “I am proud to announce […]
Tuesday midday rail news: Amtrak lands contract to operate Metrolink trains Southern California commuter rail service Metrolink has awarded Amtrak a new contract to operate its services, effective Jan. 1, 2021 and expiring June 30, 2025. As part of the contract, Amtrak provides and manages engineers and conductors to operate Metrolink trains. Amtrak, which was […]
WASHINGTON — With the Canadian National’s acquisition of CSX Transportation’s line linking Syracuse, N.Y., with Montreal stuck in regulatory limbo, the railroads have extended a self-imposed deadline for the deal to close. The railroads on Monday told the U.S. Surface Transportation Board that they were extending a Nov. 30 “drop dead date” to Feb. 28, […]
Fourth in a series WILLISTON, N.D. — The eastbound Empire Builder departed Portland, Ore., with a heavy contingent of travelers filling seats in the baggage-coach, mostly going to Pasco and Spokane, Wash. In the Superliner coach ahead, the lower-level seating carried patrons heading to at least a dozen destinations, ranging from Sandpoint, Idaho, to […]
Larry Willis, president of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, has died at age 53. The Transportation Trades Department website reports Willis died Sunday of injuries sustained in a Nov. 22 biking accident. “The transportation labor family and the entire workers’ rights community lost a leader, advocate, mentor and friend,” TTD Secretary-Treasurer Greg Regan […]
Monday midday rail news: STB to delay action on request over Del Mar Bluffs projects The Surface Transportation Board will delay proceedings on the request by San Diego’s North County Transit District for an order on maintenance and safety-fence plans in the Del Mar, Calif., area, as requested by the NCTD. The STB said […]
