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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board today announced that it will permit informal discussions with stakeholders on the Board’s proposed rule in Final Offer Rate Review, Docket No. EP 755 and comments received in that docket regarding arbitration and other rate review options for smaller cases. The Board is waiving the general prohibition on ex […]
Long Island Rail Road trains await action at New York’s Hudson Yards. More than 40% of New Yorkers surveyed indicated they will avoid transit after the coronavirus pandemic. TRAINS: David Lassen More Friday morning rail news in brief: — More than 40% of New York City residents surveyed say they plan to avoid mass transit […]
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 […]
WASHINGTON — Amtrak will close seating in its café cars, making food service carryout only, and has extended its waivers on change and cancellation fees until Aug. 31, as part of its ongoing program to address COVID-19 concerns as it begins to ramp up for increased operations and ridership. The passenger carrier is has also […]
Thursday afternoon rail news in brief: — Fiona Murray of Canadian National has been named as board chairperson for the Railway Association of Canada, becoming the first female to hold that position in the organization’s 103-year history. Murray, vice-president of public and government affairs at CN, joined the railroad in 1992. “As a career railroader, […]
More Thursday rail news in brief: — Canadian Pacific will expand use of Automated Train Brake Effectiveness testing in the wake of call from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada for better brake tests, a call stemming from the fatal 2019 derailment of a CP train near Field, B.C. The Calgary Herald reports that the […]
An LA Metro light rail train approaches Los Angeles Union Station. Metro has outlined its plans for restoring service after the coronavirus pandemic. TRAINS: David Lassen Thursday afternoon transit and commuter rail news: — LA Metro has released its four-phase plan to restore rail and bus service following the current COVID-19-related service reductions. As outlined […]
