San Diego Trolley trains meet at the Middletown station in January 2020. The Metropolitan Transit System has scrapped plans for a ballot initiative this year because of the coronavirus. TRAINS: David Lassen Transit and coronavirus-related rail news for Friday morning: — San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System has officially abandoned its plans for a November ballot […]
Disney places video of ‘Thunder Mountain’ train-themed roller coaster ride on YouTube NEWSWIRE
Disney via YouTube. First reported by LaughingPlace.com ORLANDO, Fla. — As part of its virtual tour of rides and attractions at its properties in Florida, Disney uploaded a new video of one of its long-enduring rides at the Magic Kingdom — Thunder Mountain. The 1-minute, 57-second video gives viewers a front-row seat in the roller […]
Judge rules for Maryland’s Purple Line project in environmental suit NEWSWIRE
More Thursday morning rail news: — A federal judge has ruled against an attempt to block Maryland’s Purple Line light rail project on environmental grounds, finding that the Maryland Transit Administration “clearly demonstrated” the design for the 16-mile, $2-billion project “was the least evinromentally damaging practicable alternative.” The Engineering News-Record reports that U.S. District Judge […]
Metra official says ridership may never fully recover from virus losses NEWSWIRE
Inbound and outbound Metra trains meet in Elmwood Park, Ill., in March. A Metra official expects a long-term loss of ridership after the coronavirus pandemic. TRAINS: David Lassen Thursday morning rail news: — It may take one to three years for Metra ridership to return to 2019 levels after the coronavirus pandemic — if it […]
MTA will require passengers to wear face masks NEWSWIRE
Long Island Rail Road trains meet at Divide interlocking in Hicksville, N.Y., in August 2019. The LIRR and other MTA operators will require passengers to wear face masks beginning Friday. TRAINS: David Lassen More Thursday morning rail news: — New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority will require subway, commuter rail, and bus passengers to wear face […]
Progress Rail inks locomotive order with Indonesia NEWSWIRE
BANDUNG, Indonesia — Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, has signed a contract with PT Kereta Indonesia (PT KAI) for 36 new EMD GT38AC freight locomotives, expanding the public railway operator’s existing GT Series fleet. The new EMD locomotives will go into service for PT KAI’s South Sumatra coal haulage operations and join more than 50 […]
Railway Supply Institute seeks director nominations NEWSWIRE
WASHINGTON — The Railway Supply Institute announced today that it is soliciting individual nominations for three new members of its board of directors to begin in January 2021. The typical office term for board members is three years with an opportunity to extend that term if elected to the board’s executive committee. “For decades, RSI […]
Utah company spinoffs receive FRA approval for grade crossing radar system NEWSWIRE
SPRINGVILLE, Utah — Island Radar and AlphaHive have a lot in common. Both companies are spin-offs of Utah-based Wavetronix, the world market leader in radar vehicle detection products. Now, the two are joining forces in a partnership that brings AlphaHive’s business infrastructure to Island Radar, while AlphaHive will receive mentoring from Island Radar’s experienced business […]
MTA agrees to payment for families of workers killed by virus NEWSWIRE
Wednesday morning rail news: — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will provide a $500,000 benefit payment to families of workers killed by the COVID-19 virus following negotiations between the MTA and unions representing subway, bus, and commuter rail workers. The MTA will also cover health insurance for spouses and dependents for three years, and will not […]
Rail intermodal service at best levels ever, JB Hunt executive says NEWSWIRE
J.B. Hunt containers head east on a BNSF intermodal train at Brookfield, Ill., in November 2019. A J.B. Hunt executive says the company is experiencing its best rail service ever. TRAINS: David Lassen Railroads’ intermodal service is the best it’s ever been, J.B. Hunt executives said during the company’s first-quarter earnings call on Tuesday. Darren […]
‘Sound The Horn’ salute grows to include commuter rail agencies nationwide NEWSWIRE
A Metra UP North train passes through Glencoe, Ill. Metra is among the commuter rail agencies joining Thursday’s “Sound The Horn” salute to essential workers. TRAINS: David Lassen Wednesday afternoon rail news: — Commuter rail operators throughout the U.S. have joined the “Sound The Horn” effort launched by Amtrak and New York-area transit agencies to […]
US rail traffic falls off a cliff NEWSWIRE
Association of American Railroads WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending April 11, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 412,503 carloads and intermodal units, down 21.9% compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending April 11 were […]