A Northeast Regional train rolls into New Haven on June 16, 2018. Until Jan. 31, 1999, all Amtrak Boston-bound trains swapped electrics for diesels here. Because of concerns over ice, Amtrak used diesels instead of electrics for some Northeast Corridor trains this weekend. Bob Johnston NEW YORK — Predicted ice, snow, and plunging temperatures drove […]
Section: News Wire
Brightline offering free rides for federal employees NEWSWIRE
MIAMI — Brightline is now offering free rides for federal employees hit by the government shutdown. The Florida passenger service announced the move on Friday. Federal employees who present a government-issued employee ID to agents at its West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami stations will receive complimentary rides in Smart class until the government […]
CSX Florida Panhandle route line-sale deal falls through NEWSWIRE
CSX’s Florida Panhandle route TRAINS: Rick Johnson/Steve Sweeney JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It’s a failure to launch for the Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad. Federal regulators had approved the sale of 373 miles of CSX Transportation trackage across the Florida Panhandle, effective Jan. 6, but CSX and short line operator RailUSA scuttled their deal last week. […]
End of the line for Cheyenne Frontier Days train NEWSWIRE
The 2018 Cheyenne Frontier Days Train accelerates out of Greeley, Colo., in July. Trains: Jim Wrinn DENVER — The last annual steam-powered mainline excursion train in the U.S. is no more. On Monday, the Denver Post said the train Denver-Cheyenne, Wyo., train has come to the end of the line. “While we have enjoyed our […]
Kentucky steam group moves closer to EPA grant funds NEWSWIRE
An overview of the Ravenna car shops and rail yard facilities that will become the future site of the Kentucky rail heritage center and home to Chesapeake & Ohio 2-8-4 No. 2716. Kentucky Steam Heritage Corp. RAVENNA, Ky. — A railway preservation group in Kentucky is inching closer to a grant that could be worth […]
New members join House transportation committee NEWSWIRE
WASHINGTON — Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and ranking member Sam Graves (R-Mo.) announced new committee members from their respective parties. Graves also named key subcommittee appointments. Democratic members newly selected to the committee are Colin Allred (Texas), Anthony Brown (Md.), Salud Carbajal (Calif.), Angie Craig (Minn.), Sharice Davids (Kan.), Antonio Delgado (N.Y.), Adriano Espaillat (N.Y.), Abby Finkenauer (Iowa), Lizzie Fletcher (Texas), Jesús […]
Report: European Union to block Siemens, Alstom merger NEWSWIRE
Alstom is building the Avelia Liberty trainsets for Amtrak’s northeast corridor. A report says the Alstom-Siemens merger will be blocked by European regulators. Alstom/Amtrak This rendering shows one of the Charger locomotives Siemens is building for Amtrak. Siemens/Amtrak BRUSSELS — European Union regulators intend to block the merger of rail equipment manufacturers Alstom and Siemens […]
Seattle politicians seek to build over-budget streetcar; funding expected NEWSWIRE
SEATTLE — The mayor of Seattle says she wants to go ahead with a long-delayed, over-budget, mile-long downtown streetcar line, but there’s still the small matter of finding the additional millions of dollars to pay for it. Mayor Jenny Durkan put the project on hold in March 2018 for a review; the report itself and […]
Amtrak expands storm cancellations and changes to include ‘Empire Service’ trains NEWSWIRE
NEW YORK — Amtrak has expanded its cancellations and schedule modifications for Sunday to include Empire Service trains. The moves are in advance of a winter storm approaching the Northeast. In addition to its previously announced cancellations and changes [See “Amtrak cancels trains, modifies schedules in advance of storm,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 18, 2019], […]
Amtrak seeks proposals for equipment to replace Amfleet I cars NEWSWIRE
Could future Amtrak trains in the Northeast look something like this? A Brightline train awaits boarding in Miami on Jan. 11, 2019. Amtrak has issued a request for proposal for new single-level passenger cars; the Brightline cars, built by Siemens, are the newest intercity equipment in the U.S. and the basis for cars on order […]
After big opening weekend, TEXRail considers expansion NEWSWIRE
A TEXRail train passes equipment of the Grapevine Vintage Railroad in Grapevine, Texas. After a big opening weekend, TEXRail has begun considering expansion. Lance Lassen FORT WORTH, Texas — The TEXRail commuter line carried more than 11,000 riders in its first weekend, prompting officials at its parent organization, Trinity Metro, to start talking about expanding […]
Amtrak cancels trains, modifies schedules in advance of storm NEWSWIRE
NEW YORK — In keeping with recent practice, Amtrak has cancelled some trains and modified schedules for others this Saturday and Sunday because of a forecast for a major winter storm. Service has been cancelled on Saturday and Sunday for three trains: the Chicago-Washington Capitol Limited; the Chicago-New York/Boston Lake Shore Limited, and the Indianapolis-New […]