SEATTLE — The shuffling of operators for segments of the state-owned Palouse River & Coulee City in eastern Washington state continues. The Washington State Department of Transportation said it picked Omaha Track as the winning bidder to operate the 90-mile P&L branch of the PCC, which runs from the Idaho border near Pullman to Marshall, […]
Section: News Wire
Trains News Wire Round-Up for the week of May 31 NEWSWIRE
This week’s Trains news wire round-up includes Jim and Steve talking about tariffs on Mexican goods; CSX’s views on automation, Amtrak detours and more! Only from Trains! […]
CREATE completes BNSF connection project
CHICAGO — BNSF Railway and CREATE have announced the completion of a CREATE project on the Western Avenue Corridor, the fourth of eight projects completed on that section of the project to improve Chicago rail traffic flow. Overall, 30 projects are now complete of the 70 that make up the entire program. The newest project, […]
CSX CEO Foote expects industry to move slowly toward autonomous operations NEWSWIRE
NEW YORK — Railroads need to take advantage of their investments in positive train control, but the industry likely will move slowly toward one-person crews and autonomous operations, CSX Transportation CEO Jim Foote says. Foote likens PTC to the advent of wayside detectors and end-of-train devices that allowed railroads operate more safely, while eliminating cabooses. […]
Doubleheader opener on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad NEWSWIRE
On May 25, 2019, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad opened its season with doubleheaders, departing from Chama, N.M., and Antonito, Colo. The 64-mile route goes through the scenic Toltec Gorge and climbs the 10,000-foot Cumbres Pass. It is one of the most beautiful scenic railroads in the United States as voted by the 2018 […]
Friends of the 261 takes delivery of former Milwaukee Road E9 NEWSWIRE
Friends of the 261 President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Sandberg poses with former Milwaukee Road E9 No. 32A in St. Paul on May 29. Sandberg’s grandfather was a Milwaukee Road engineer who operated 32A many times on passenger trains between the Twin Cities and La Crosse, Wis. The unit will make its debut at […]
Maine narrow gauge steam reunion set for early 2020 NEWSWIRE
Four Maine steam icons, including Monson No. 3, will be featured in an early 2020 event. Stephen Hussar ALNA, Me. — A grand reunion of two-foot gauge locomotives and rolling stock is set for two weekends in early 2020. This photographic event will take place on Jan. 18-19 and Feb. 8-9 at the Wiscasset Waterville […]
Massachusetts Senate moves to fund MBTA electrification study NEWSWIRE
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Senate has passed a budget amendment to fund a study of electrification of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Fairmount commuter rail line, the Bay State Banner reports. Electrification is one of the alternatives proposed by the MBTA in its Rail Vision program to evaluate the future of its commuter rail system. Electrification […]
‘Missouri River Runner’ service suspension extended
ST. LOUIS — The suspension of Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner service has been extended to at least Sunday, June 2. Flooding elsewhere in the Midwest has led Union Pacific to divert freight traffic onto the route, leading to the suspension of the passenger service. Chartered bus service is providing substitute transportation, stopping at all stations […]
Service improvements produce merchandise volume gains at CSX, CEO Foote says NEWSWIRE
James “Jim” Foote, CSX Transportation CEO CSX Transportation NEW YORK — CSX Transportation is leading the industry in merchandise traffic growth this year due to its faster and more reliable service, CEO Jim Foote says. “We are the leader in growing that business at about 2.5% so far this year,” Foote told an investor conference […]
AAR: US carload and intermodal traffic mostly down week of May 25 NEWSWIRE
Association of American Railroads WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending May 25. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 527,966 carloads and intermodal units, down 6.7 percent compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending May 25 were […]
Amtrak steps up station renovations NEWSWIRE
Passengers board a Missouri River Runner at Kirkwood, Mo., in 2014. Passengers at many stations must still board trains from platforms which are below the rail; Amtrak’s “Customer Now” program will address this at many stations. Bob Johnston CHICAGO — After investing $19 million on station improvements in fiscal 2018, Amtrak announced Tuesday that it […]
