More Thursday morning rail news: — BNSF Railway will close its Glendive, Mont., diesel shop and is also laying off workers in Topeka, Kan. KXGN-TV is reporting that, in a letter to employees, BNSF’s Gary Grissum, vice president of mechanical, told affected shop employees in a letter that the closure reflected the current business environment […]
Magazine: Trains Magazine
Grapevine, Texas, tourist railroad to resume operations on Saturday NEWSWIRE
The Grapevine Vintage Railroad, shown in 2017, will resume operations on Saturday. TRAINS: David Lassen Thursday afternoon rail news: — The Grapevine Vintage Railroad in Grapevine, Texas, will resume operations Saturday after closing in March because of the coronavirus pandemic. On Sunday, the railroad will offer four 1-hour Mother’s Day excursions, departing at 10 a.m., […]
VIA extends suspension of ‘Canadian,’ ‘Ocean’ to November NEWSWIRE
VIA Rail Canada is extending the suspension of the Canadian until November 2020. Bob Johnston Thursday morning rail news: — VIA Rail Canada has written off the summer travel season for its long-distance overnight trains, the Canadian and the Ocean, extending their suspension until at least Nov. 1, 2020, and has suspended Sleeper class on […]
AAR: April was challenging a month for US rail traffic NEWSWIRE
Table of US rail traffic commodities and intermodal for the week ended May 2, 2020 Association of American Railroads WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending May 2, 2020, as well as volumes for April 2020. U.S. railroads originated 980,535 carloads in April 2020, down 25.2%, […]
LIRR third-track project remains on schedule NEWSWIRE
An outbound Long Island Rail Road train meets a New York & Atlantic train on a section of the LIRR Main Line which will eventually be triple-tracked as part of a capacity expansion project. The $2.6 billion project remains on schedule despite challenges created by the COVID-19 outbreak. TRAINS: David Lassen More Wednesday morning rail […]
Metra to add service on Electric District NEWSWIRE
An outbound Metra Electric train meets a Canadian National freight at Matteson, Ill., on May 2, 2020. Metra will increase service on the Electric line as part of its PTC implementation effort. TRAINS: David Lassen Wednesday morning rail news: — Chicago’s Metra will increase service on the Metra Electric District as of May 18 as […]
Three passenger projects receive $22 million in FRA grants NEWSWIRE
The eastbound Empire Builder crosses the Mississippi River at Hastings, Minn., on Sept. 23, 2018. The project to start a second train on the Chicago-Twin Cities portion of the Builder‘s route has received an FRA grant for more than $12 million. TRAINS: David Lassen Wednesday afternoon rail news: — Three projects touching eight states have […]
Work to restore Reading 2100 receives donation for new staybolts
CLEVELAND — The American Steam Railroad Preservation Association has received a $1,000 donation from a longtime supporter for the restoration of Reading T-1 4-8-4 No. 2100. Louis Schillinger, president and CEO of United Shortline Insurance Services, has donated the funds to help complete the forging and machining of 560 new staybolts needed for the firebox. […]
Amtrak donating to food banks nationwide NEWSWIRE
Workers from Amtrak’s Chicago Commissary deliver food to the King Majesty Ministries food bank, part of a nationwide effort by Amtrak to donate surplus food. King Majesty Ministries, via Amtrak More Tuesday afternoon rail news: — Amtrak is making donations to food banks across the U.S., offering help to those in need during the COVID-19 […]
CSX shuts Pittsburgh-area intermodal facility NEWSWIRE
McKEES ROCKS, Pa. — CSX Transportation has closed its Pittsburgh-area intermodal terminal, which opened in September 2017 as the last major element of the National Gateway Initiative double-stack clearance project. CSX touted the terminal’s ability to allow shippers in western Pennsylvania to shift freight from highway to rail. It initially served 40 destinations under the […]
Despite reduced ridership, MBTA begins preparations for return to full service NEWSWIRE
More Tuesday rail news: — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority expects lowered ridership to continue for much of the next year, but nonetheless is beginning to plan for a return to full schedules. The Boston Globe reports the agency will increase service to allow social distancing as Massachusetts begins to emerge from its stay-at-home order. […]
STB approves CP purchase of Central Maine & Quebec NEWSWIRE
Tuesday rail news: — The U.S. Surface Transportation Board on Monday approved Canadian Pacific’s purchase of the Central Maine & Quebec, effective June 18. Canadian regulators had already approved the purchase of trackage in Canada. The STB approval of the purchase — officially by CP’s U.S. subsidiary, Soo Line Corp. — denied a request by […]