<hrL BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s South Coast Rail service, scheduled to launch on Monday, March 24, will offer free weekday service through March 31, the MBTA has announced. The free weekday trial period is in addition to previously announced free weekend service through the end of April [see “Schedule released …,” Trains […]
Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 No. 250 moves out of Othello, Wash., with Thomas E. Dewey’s 17-car presidential campaign train on September 28, 1948. The 1930 Baldwin, the road’s first 4-8-4, took over from an electric here. Wade Stevenson photo […]
NEW YORK — The federal government has pushed back its deadline for New York to end its congestion tolling program in Manhattan — but Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy clearly isn’t happy about it. In a social media post today (March 20, 2025) addressed to Gov. Kathy Hochul, Duffy said the date to end the tolling […]
Some of the nation’s most famous bridges, including four that carry rail or rail transit traffic, are on a list of 68 the National Transportation Safety Board says need to be assessed to determine their vulnerability to collapse if struck by an ocean-going vessel. The list — which includes such landmarks as the Golden Gate […]
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has set the schedule to address Metra’s request for action compelling Union Pacific to continue allowing commuter rail service on its Chicago-area rail lines, establishing a timeline that will have the matter in the board’s hands for consideration by late June. In a decision released today (March 20, 2025), […]
Nothing good will come from Wednesday’s dismissal of Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner, who was pushed out as part of the White House’s purge of officials who are not deemed loyal to President Donald Trump. The timing of the move was curious. The Trump administration has been seeking to pull funding for programs it deems wasteful […]
BUSSNANG, Switzerland — Flooding that affected production at plants in three countries delayed completion of almost $400 million in orders, resulting in a significant drop in earnings for Swiss-based rail equipment manufacturer Stadler, the company said in announcing annual financial results on Wednesday, March 19. Still the company continued to gain orders, increasing its order […]
DENVER — Although seasonal revenue round trips between Denver and Salt Lake City won’t debut until April 2026, Rocky Mountaineer single-level SilverLeaf equipment will make a six-day training round trip to the Utah capital next week. It will also be the tour train’s initial departure from Denver Union Station. Beginning this year, passengers will leave […]
WASHINGTON—Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner announced his resignation today (March 19, 2025). No successor has been named. In a statement on Amtrak’s website, Gardner says, “I am stepping down as CEO to ensure that Amtrak continues to enjoy the full faith and confidence of this administration. I am so proud of what the Amtrak team has […]
MECHANICSVILLE, Va. — Global electrical technology firm ABB will collaborate with Stadler on its passenger trainset orders for Metra and Caltrans, ABB said this week. ABB will supply traction converters and batteries for the eight two-car battery-electric trainsets Metra ordered last year [see “Metra signs deal with Stadler US …,” Trains News Wire, Feb. 21, […]
NEW YORK — Escalating a fight between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Trump administration, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has threatened to withhold federal funding if the transit agency does not provide information on how it is addressing crime. In a letter to MTA CEO Janno Lieber, Duffy requested information on how the MTA’s New […]
CHICAGO — Improvements and 52 stations and replacement of 43 grade crossings are part of Metra’s planned capital projects during its 2025 construction season, the commuter rail operator announced Tuesday, March 18. Track, bridge, and signal work is also on the agenda. “We plan to take full advantage of the construction season to address projects […]
