Rail writer, editor, historian Peter A. Hansen dies

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WINTER PARK, Fla. — Railroad writers rarely are known for wide exposure in multiple forms of national media, but Peter A. Hansen was a major exception. He not only edited the venerable publication Railroad History and wrote frequent long-form stories for Trains and Classic Trains, he also hosted or appeared in several nationally broadcast television […]

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‘Carolinian’ set for full return June 1; other Amtrak changes not yet finalized (corrected)

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Amtrak’s Carolinian is scheduled to resume service between Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C., as of May 18, with full service to New York returning June 1, according to a spokeswoman for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, while Piedmont trains will be suspended until further notice. However, other service changes and equipment deployment decisions for state-supported […]

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CDC issues guidelines for restoring transit service NEWSWIRE

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The CDC has issued this set of guidelines to help transit systems decide when to restore or increase service. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Friday morning rail news in brief: — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued a set of guidelines to help mass transit managers decide when to reopen or […]

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NJ Transit and Metra still in danger of failing to meet positive train control deadline NEWSWIRE

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration today released a quarterly status update on railroads’ self-reported progress, as of March 31, 2020, toward fully implementing positive train control systems by December 31, 2020, as required by Congress. Based on railroads’ First Quarter 2020 PTC Progress Reports and current PTC Implementation Plans, nearly […]

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Railexco becomes first private owner of Amfleet cars NEWSWIRE

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Amfleet cars make up the consist of an Amtrak Northeast Regional train at Fairfield, Conn., in August 2019. Passenger car firm Railexco has become the first private owner of Amfleet equipment. TRAINS: David Lassen Rail Excursion Management Co. has acquired three Amfleet cars, becoming the first private owner of the first cars built for Amtrak […]

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Rocky Mountaineer suspends service through July 31 NEWSWIRE

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated government restrictions, Rocky Mountaineer will extend the suspension of its 2020 travel season until July 31, 2020. This suspension is in addition to the previously announced suspended departures from April 13 to June 30. “It is with much regret that we announce […]

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San Diego transit agency names first female CEO NEWSWIRE

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Friday evening rail news in brief: — The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System board has named Sharon Cooney as CEO, becoming the agency’s first female chief executive. Conney succeeds Paul Jablonski, who died suddenly on May 10. “Sharon brings passion, institutional knowledge, and a track record of success to the job.” Said Nathan Fletcher, MTS […]

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Siemens teams with wireless data network provider, Ondas, to work on railroad projects NEWSWIRE

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NEW YORK — Siemens Mobility, a leader in seamless, sustainable, reliable and secure transport solutions for more than 160 years, has entered into an exclusive partnership with Ondas Networks, a developer of private licensed wireless data networks for mission-critical industrial markets, to bring a Siemens-branded portfolio of their wireless radio communication systems to the North […]

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Work on Pikes Peak Railway begins from the top down NEWSWIRE

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Starting from the top of the mountain, the track for the Pikes Peak Cog Railway is being rebuilt. Dave Schaaf Crews from construction contractor Stacy & Witbeck are rebuilding the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, shut down since 2018. Dave Schaaf PIKES PEAK, Colo. — The Broadmoor Pike’s Peak Cog Railway has begun rebuilding the famous […]

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