EVANSTON, Ill. — The Surface Transportation Board, which regulates the nation’s rail industry, ought to make competition among the railroads its “guiding light,” according to one of the board’s newest members, who also believes shippers “have very little bargaining power” with freight haulers. And while Class I railroads easily garner the nation’s attention, the importance […]
Magazine: Trains Magazine
Amtrak sets ridership record in 2019, aims for more services in 2021 NEWSWIRE
Eastbound train No. 162, left, meets Acela Express No. 2253 at Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme, Conn., in March 2015. Amtrak hopes to add a fourth service level in 2021 when additional Acela equipment is available. Robert A. LaMay WASHINGTON – Amtrak announced another ridership record in Fiscal Year 2019, providing 32.5 million […]
Bombardier agrees to extra trains for delayed Swiss order NEWSWIRE
MONTREAL – Bombardier will supply three extra train sets at additional no charge for a Swiss Federal Railways order inked in 2010. Officials expect to complete the order in mid-2021 after delivering the first vehicles in 2018. In the past year, Bombardier has resolved technical issues with the trains that limited their reliability, the Montreal […]
Bus riders asked to weigh in on Iowa City commuter rail proposal NEWSWIRE
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Bus riders in the Iowa City area are being asked for their opinion on a possible commuter rail line, the Cedar Rapids Gazette reports. Riders traveling to and from the University of Iowa on three bus lines serving the campus will be asked to voluntarily take part in surveys conducted by Kansas […]
City displeased with Ontario light rail contractor’s performance NEWSWIRE
OTTAWA, Ontario – Public officials in the Canadian capital are upset with the performance of the city’s new Confederation Line light rail operation, which is provided by Rideau Transit Group. Official plan to withhold monthly maintenance payments of up to $4.5 million a month until performance improves. “They have failed the city and its residents,” […]
For Midwest railroads, the frac sand boom may be over NEWSWIRE
St. Croix Valley No. 1363 works at the Titan Lansing sand plant in North Branch, Minn., on Oct. 8, 2019. Steve Glischinski CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. – Take a look along railroad lines in western Wisconsin, and you’ll find evidence of the frac sand boom that’s meant good times for railroads. BNSF Railway serves a plant […]
LA Metro considers options for Sepulveda corridor NEWSWIRE
These maps show options for LA Metro’s proposed Sepulveda Corridor line between the San Fernando Valley and LA’s Westside. The first three options are for heavy rail; the one at far right is for a monorail. LA Metro A rendering depicts a monorail paralleling Interstate 405 through Sepulveda Pass, one of four transit options under […]
Metra opens new Cary, Ill., station NEWSWIRE
Work on a replacement station had already begun in this November 2018 view of the Metra station in Cary, Ill., which dated to 1942. A new Cary station opened this week. TRAINS: David Lassen Several Metra station locations have been in the news this week. A roundup: — A new station has opened in Cary, […]
Union Pacific donates SD70ACe No. 4141 to George H.W. Bush Presidential Library; Big Boy 4014 joins celebration NEWSWIRE
Rendering of display for Union Pacific No. 4141 at George H.W. Bush Presidential Library. Jim Wrinn Display showing UP No. 4141 with former President George H.W. Bush in the cab. Jim Wrinn Union Pacific No. 4141 in Big Boy No. 4014’s passenger consist at College Station, Texas, on Nov. 8, 2019. Jim Wrinn COLLEGE STATION, […]
UP set to open stretch of third track near River Forest, Ill. NEWSWIRE
An inbound Metra UP West train eases past track construction as it approaches the River Forest, Ill., station on Oct. 27, 2019. Union Pacific will place the third track into service between River Forest and Melrose Park this weekend, leading to some Metra delays and service changes. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — Union Pacific is […]
Moody’s paints gloomy picture for Powder River coal NEWSWIRE
Two DPU locomotives bring up the rear as an empty Union Pacific unit coal train heads west through Lombard, Ill., in June 2019. Moody’s Investor Services foresees a continued slide in production of Powder River Basin coal, previously a major source of traffic for UP and BNSF Railway. TRAINS: David Lassen NEW YORK – Despite […]
Moorman, Tower offer matching grant for Nashville locomotive restoration project NEWSWIRE
NC&StL No. 576 was moved from its display site in a Nashville park in January to begin renovations. A new effort could raise up to $600,000 for the project. TRAINS: Jim Wrinnn NASHVILLE — The restoration of former Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis steam locomotive No. 576 could get a major boost from two renowned […]