Senate committee advances bill with major funding for Amtrak, rail infrastructure programs

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WASHINGTON — The Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday approved a transportation bill providing $78 million over five years to fund projects including significant rail components, drawing praise from two major freight rail organizations. The Washington Post reports the Surface Transportation Investment Act — the product of efforts led by committee chair Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and […]

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Digest: Fernandez confirmed as head of Federal Transit Administration

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Senate confirms Fernandez to head FTA The U.S. Senate has confirmed appointment of Nuria Fernandez as administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, becoming the first confirmed administrator in more than a decade and the first Senate-confirmed woman of color to lead the agency. “I am humbled and extremely grateful for the confidence bestowed upon me […]

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U.S. rail traffic remains well ahead of 2020 figures

Weekly table showing U.S. rail traffic by type

WASHINGTON — U.S. freight rail volume for the week ending June 12 remains well ahead of pandemic-depressed figures for the corresponding week in 2020, and showed a notable increase from the previous week in 2021, as well. Statistics from the Association of American Railroads show traffic for the week included a total of 529,635 carloads and intermodal […]

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South Schenectady smoke show

Smoking steam locomotive crosses short bridge with train

South Schenectady smoke show Delaware & Hudson 4-6-6-4 No. 1510 drifts downgrade with an eastbound freight seen from a perch on New York Central’s West Shore bridge in South Schenectady, N.Y., on May 14, 1950. Photo by William D. Middleton […]

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Interiors near completion on three ‘Mark Twain Zephyr’ cars

Boy in red shirt looks through glass etched with image of train

TREGO, Wis. — After surviving 62 years in storage and seven previous owners unable to fulfill their plans for the historic Budd-built streamliner, Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad’s restoration of the Mark Twain Zephyr has turned a corner, with three of the five cars nearing interior completion. “I am thankful every day for the individuals and […]

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Solo ‘Blue Bird’

Crews service passenger train during station stop

Solo ‘Blue Bird’ Crews change on the Norfolk & Western Blue Bird at Decatur, Ill., in 1967. The train was running separate from the Cannon Ball (note the green flags) owing to the winter storm having disrupted schedules. Behind GP9 510 is E8 3808, one of five Wabash passenger cabs N&W repainted. J. David Ingles […]

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