Tracks, Trestles & Tunnels Also in this issue: Editor’s Note: Page 4 […]
Big Projects 2020
Magazine: Trains Magazine
Digest: Montreal REM trains begin testing
Friday morning rail news: Montreal’s REM begins testing of Alstom light rail trainsets The first trainsets for Montreal’s Réseau express métropolitain light rail system have begun testing, REM reports on its Facebook page. The agency says tests will continue over the next few months between its Brossard station and Milan Boulevard. Alstom is building 106 two-car […]
Federal regulators delay lease of Union Pacific’s Tennessee Pass line
WASHINGTON – The Surface Transportation Board will review several issues surrounding Colorado, Midland & Pacific’s proposed lease of Union Pacific’s long-dormant route over Tennessee Pass. The board’s decision, released today, indefinitely postpones what is normally a 30-day clock that covers deals between short lines and Class I railroads. Under U.S. law, railroad transactions fall into […]
Amtrak clarifies what emergency funding would mean for frequencies, furloughs
WASHINGTON — Amtrak has clarified details of a letter sent by CEO William Flynn to all U.S. House and Senate last week, confirming to Trains News Wire that legislators have the ability to override the metrics the passenger railroad plans to use to determine decisions on long-distance train frequencies. In an emailed statement, Amtrak said, “If Congress […]
Digest: SEPTA to restore service on Chestnut Hill West line in March
Additional Friday morning rail news: SEPTA to bring back service on Chestnut Hill West line in March The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority will resume operation on its Chestnut Hill West Regional Rail line in March with a “restricted service schedule.” The Philadelphia Inquirer reports the service — suspended last spring when Regional Rail operations were reduced because […]
Digest: CTA details plans to rebuild four stations as part of Red-Purple project
Still more Friday morning rail news: Chicago Transit Authority unveils plans to rebuild four stations as part of Red-Purple project The Chicago Transit Authority has unveiled designs for four Red Line stations to be rebuilt as part of phase one the CTA’s Red and Purple Modernization project, a $2.1 billion effort to improve the Red […]
Innovative Very Light Rail system planned in Britain
Development work is nearing completion in central England for a prototype Very Light Rail system drawing on design and component expertise from the auto industry. The project aims to build an autonomous rail-based streetcar system in the British city of Coventry by 2024, which along with nearby Birmingham is one of the main centers of […]
Locomotive 2020
Also in this issue: Editor’s Notebook, Page 6 On the Record, Page 8 […]
U.S. rail traffic stats show carloads near 2020 levels, intermodal retaining strength
WASHINGTON — Carload traffic, which has long lagged behind previous-year totals, was down less than a percent in the latest U.S. rail traffic figures released by the Association of American Railroads. Overall, traffic for the week ending Jan. 23 included 529,030 carloads and intermodal units, an increase of 9%, with 298,051 containers and trailers (a 17.8% […]
Digest: Website launched, study released supporting second Transbay Tube
Thursday morning rail news: New website, study support second Transbay crossing for BART, Amtrak Bay Area Rapid Transit and the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority have launched a new website outlining the proposal for a new Transbay rail crossing between Oakland, Calif., and San Francisco, at the same time a new report has been released on the […]
Digest: MTA survey finds near-total mask compliance
More Thursday morning rail news: MTA survey finds 97% compliance with mask rule on subways New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority says 97% of subway passengers were complying with the agency’s mask order during a survey conducted Jan. 11-22, while 99% of those on buses were complying during a survey Jan. 4-8. The figures were released […]
Digest: San Diego transit agency to increase trespassing enforcement
More Thursday morning rail news: Preparing for new, quieter locomotives, North County Transit District to step up trespassing enforcement The San Diego-area North County Transit District will significantly trespassing education and enforcement along its rail line between San Diego and Oceanside beginning Feb. 1 as a prelude to placing five new Siemens Charger locomotives into […]
