As Hurricane Dorian brushes the East Coast, railroads continue to modify operations in anticipation of serious problems if the storm makes landfall. With Florida East Coast Railway shut down since Saturday, Norfolk Southern has embargoed intermodal traffic destined for FEC, along with Savannah, Ga., and Charleston, S.C., where ports are closed. NS officials are advising […]
Plasser & Theurer names new chief operating officer, chief technical officer NEWSWIRE
VIENNA, Austria – Plasser & Theurer has appointed Daniel Siedl as chief operating officer and Dr. Winfried Büdenbender as chief technical officer, effective immediately. Büdenbender held management positions in various companies in the technical sector. Siedl was managing director of ROBEL Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH (Germany) before he joined Plasser & Theurer. Prior to his new position, […]
San Francisco cable cars to be replaced with buses for 10 days NEWSWIRE
The gearboxes inside the Hyde Street powerhouse that propel San Francisco’s iconic cable cars will be rebuilt starting Sept. 13. Justin Franz SAN FRANCISCO – If you are planning a trip to the City by the Bay to ride its iconic cable cars, you’ll be out of luck for 10 days starting Sept. 13. San […]
Sound Transit breaks ground on latest light rail extension NEWSWIRE
LYNNWOOD, Wash. — Sound Transit broke ground Tuesday on its latest light rail extension, an 8.5-mile, four-stop extension north to the Snohomish County community of Lynnwood. When it opens in 2024, the extension promises riders the ability to travel from Lynnwood to downtown Seattle in 28 minutes, and will see trains every 4 to 6 […]
Texas legislators look to revive plans for Austin-San Antonio rail service NEWSWIRE
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas state legislators are trying to revive a long-proposed commuter rail service between Austin and San Antonio. The San Antonio Current reports that 20 state representatives have sent a letter to the chairman of the House Transportation Committee requesting a feasibility study of rail service prior to the 2021 legislative session. The […]
Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 will depart on its fall tour Sept. 27 NEWSWIRE
Big Boy No, 4014 is back on the main line Sept. 27. Trains: Jim Wrinn CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 will depart Cheyenne on Sept. 27 for its fall tour that will cover much of the southwest and southern U.S. served by the UP. The railroad on Wednesday released operating and […]
Union Pacific lowers volume outlook for rest of the year NEWSWIRE
BOSTON — Union Pacific today lowered its volume outlook for the rest of the year as tougher truck competition, reduced demand for coal, and uncertainty over global trade continued to weigh on rail traffic. UP’s volumes are down 7% for the third quarter to date, Chief Financial Officer Rob Knight told an investor conference today. […]
Union Pacific: Water-treatment company’s claims are all wet NEWSWIRE
WASHINGTON — Union Pacific has vigorously defended its plan to reduce switching to a California water-treatment chemical company that has asked federal regulators to force the railroad to maintain five-day per week service. Hasa, which makes and distributes water sanitation chemicals, claimed in August that reduced service would lead to product shortages and ultimately threaten […]
Ask Trains: Is that Talgo’s tilt normal?
A Series 6 Talgo trainset is examined after 125-mph operation at the Transportation Test Center in Pueblo, Colo., in 1998. Bob Johnston Q: In the Sept. 2019 Passenger column on Page 18, I see that a Series 6 Talgo locomotive is leaning while being inspected. Was that tilt normal? — Robert Muckey, Williamson, N.Y. A: […]
Ask Trains: What were Providence & Worcester Railroad’s colors in 2000?
Providence & Worcester GE “Super 7” B23-7R No. 2215 leads Connecticut Southern train CSO-4 on Amtrak rails at Windsor, Conn., June 3, 2019. Scott A. Hartley Q: What were the Providence & Worcester Railroad’s colors in 2000? — Chris Carlson, Ottawa, Ont. A: In 2015, the year before Providence & Worcester was purchased by Genesee […]
Ask Trains: Who really operates locomotive shops in East St. Louis?
Q: I recently visited the Foster Townsend facility by the river in St. Louis and was informed that it is now part of Metro East Industries. Can you confirm? — John Foster, Gloucester, England A: Upon checking with railfans familiar with St. Louis, they confirmed that the shops you visited are leased out to Metro […]
Analysis: Amtrak surrenders valuable tool with retirement of last dome car NEWSWIRE
The Ocean View attracts attention on Amtrak’s Gulf Coast inspection train at Lake City, Fla., on Feb. 19, 2016. Bob Johnston The late Amtrak CEO Joe Boardman dines with wife Joanne aboard the Ocean View, hosting a dinner for Southwest Chief inspection train attendees at La Junta, Colo. on Aug. 4, 2016. Bob Johnston […]
