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 […]
Buffalo to reexamine desire for light-rail extension at FTA request NEWSWIRE
More Monday morning rail news: — Buffalo’s effort to extend its 6.4-mile light rail system by 7 miles from downtown to the Universty of Buffalo’s north campus could be sidelined in favor of bus rapid transit. The Buffalo News reports that the Federal Transit Administration has directed the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to revisit the […]
FRA to hold telephone hearings on Texas Central NEWSWIRE
Monday morning rail news: — Today through Wednesday, the Federal Railroad Administration will conduct public hearings by phone on its proposed safety and operating standards — the “Notice of Particular Applicability” for the Texas Central high speed rail project [see “Passenger,” June 2020 Trains]. Those rules essentially would adopt the standards of the Japan Central […]
Reading & Northern, borough of Jim Thorpe again at odds (updated) NEWSWIRE
The bumpy relationship between the Reading & Northern and the borough of Jim Thorpe, Pa., has hit another roadblock, apparently meaning the railroad will not resume tourist rail operations in the community. The Lehighton (Pa) Times News reports that the railroad is balking at an ordinance that would have exempted its operations from a local […]
BNSF’s first-quarter profit slides because of pandemic NEWSWIRE
A BNSF manifest freight heads east through Naperville, Ill., on April 20, 2020. BNSF saw first-quarter earnings fall as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. TRAINS: David Lassen OMAHA, Neb. — BNSF Railway’s first-quarter revenue and profits declined as traffic volumes sank due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the railroad’s parent company, Berkshire Hathaway, reported on […]
UP closes Little Rock locomotive shop, De Soto car facility, furloughs workers NEWSWIRE
Sunday rail news: — Union Pacific is furloughing most of the employees at its North Little Rock, Ark., locomotive shop because of the downturn in business triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, and is also furloughing workers at its car shop in De Soto, Mo. The Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette quotes UP spokeswoman Kristen South as […]
CN files suit against British Columbia blockade protesters NEWSWIRE
More Friday morning rail news: — Canadian National has filed suit against protesters in British Columbia who blockaded its tracks in February, seeking damages, a permanent injunction against blockades, and an enforcement order by police. The CBC reports that the suit against unnamed individuals who blocked its main line between Smithers and Terrace, B.C., on […]