More Wednesday morning rail news: Kansas City streetcar extension receives FTA go-ahead Kansas City, Mo., has received clearance from the Federal Transit Agency to advance to the next phase of the planned KC Streetcar Main Street Extension. The Streetcar Authority announced Tuesday that that FTA approved the project to enter the New Starts Engineering phase […]
A Metro-North train arrives at New Haven’s State Street station in August 2019. Metro-North is adding 18 trains to its schedule as of today. TRAINS: David Lassen Wednesday morning New York area rail news: Metro-North adds trains; LIRR expands capacity Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road have begun making operating changes in preparation for […]
Wednesday morning preservation and railfan news: Northwest Railway Museum fires up Northern Pacific 0-6-0 The Northwest Railway Museum has fired up Northern Pacific No. 924, an 0-6-0 built in 1899 by Rogers Locomotive Works for the St. Paul & Duluth Railroad. The locomotive returned to steam on May 18, operating under its own power in […]
A Union Pacific coal train roles through Glen Ellyn, Ill., in February 2020. Coal is a major reason UP bulk traffic is down 19% this quarter, CEO Lance Fritz says. TRAINS: David Lassen OMAHA, Neb. – A resurgence in railroad traffic will hinge in part on how consumer spending rebounds as the economy emerges from pandemic-related […]
With a reduced seven-car consist, the eastbound California Zephyr approaches Chicago’s Union Staion on April 2, 2020. Amtrak says it plans to reduce frequencies to “less than daily” operation on most long-distance routes beginning Oct. 1. Bob Johnston WASHINGTON — In a Memorial Day letter to Congress, Amtrak management has asked for $1.475 billion in […]
A Google Maps 3D view shows a portion of California’s Dumbarton Rail Bridge, idle since 1982. Facebook is reconsidering its part in funding studies to create a commuter rail service that would use the bridge. Google Maps Tuesday morning rail news in brief: Facebook may pull back from funding transit study Facebook is reconsidering its […]
More Tuesday rail news in brief: FRA to provide $91.5 million in funding for New Jersey’s Portal Bridge Amtrak and New Jersey transit have received $91.5 million in funding from the Federal Railroad Administration toward replacement of the Portal Bridge, the aging structure over New Jersey’s Hackensack River that has long been a problem spot […]
A southbound Amtrak Hiawatha approaches Metra’s Western Avenue station in August 2019. Hiawatha rail service, replaced by buses since April 24, will resume June 1. TRAINS: David Lassen Memorial Day rail news in brief: Hiawatha rail service resumes June 1; more trains to be added June 29 One Amtrak Hiawatha round trip will return Monday, […]
HO scale locomotives 2-8-2 Mikado steam locomotive. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Baltimore & Ohio; Chesapeake & Ohio; Great Northern; New York Central; Pennsylvania RR; and Union Pacific. One road number per scheme. Die-cast metal boiler and frame with brass details, light-emitting-diode headlights, can motor, and front and rear metal couplers. Can be controlled with […]
Saturday rail news in brief: Maryland official negotiating to keep Purple Line contractors at work Maryland Secretary of Transportation Greg Slater says he is in daily negotiations with the contractors building the troubled Purple Line light rail project, trying to keep them quitting in the midst of the project. Slater revealed the negotiations in a […]
Amtrak is looking to hire individuals who will restore agent staffing at 15 stations in 12 states, responding to a congressional mandate to do so. The passenger railroad says in a statement that “These uniformed workers will be trained to assist our customers with booking and boarding trains, including helping with unaccompanied minors, carry-on baggage […]
A Brightline train departs West Palm Beach, Fla., in January 2019. The passenger operator, shut down since late March, says service will remain suspended for “the coming months.” TRAINS: David Lassen Virgin Trains USA says its Brightline passenger service in Florida will remain suspended for months, giving no indication when service might resume. In a […]
