More Friday morning rail news:
— The Tennessee legislature’s transportation committee has passed a bill supporting a feasibility study for Amtrak service between Nashville and Atlanta, responding to an idea proposed by Amtrak in January [see “Amtrak suggests new routes to Tennessee legislative committee,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 17, 2020]. Curbed Atlanta reports the study would assess possible routes, the cost of establishing the service, and who would pay.
— Canadian rail blockades are leading to a back-up of grain ships at western Canada ports, according to farm industry news site The Western Producer. As of Feb. 16, there were 40 ships at the Port of Vancouver, British Columbia, and 10 at Prince Rupert, B.C., against one-year averages of 24 ships in Vancouver and five at Prince Rupert. A Quorum Corporation report said the terminal at Prince Rupert was out of grain and all anchorages were in use.
— Virginia legislators may fund a study to extend the DC Metro rail system to the Marine Corps Base at Quantico, Va. A $2 million study would look at the possibility of extending the system more than 20 miles south from an existing stop at Franconia-Springfield, with additional stops in Lorton and Potomac Mills, InsideNoVA.com reports. The study would also consider other options, such as a bus rapid transit line.
— An Illinois legislator wants to repeal a state law banning the drinking of alcohol on trains, even though the law is not enforced. State Sen. Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) wants to do away with the Railroad Intoxicating Liquor Act of 1911, which prohibits drinking on trains and around stations, and gives conductors the ability to arrest violators, the Chicago Tribune reports.
— Pan Am Railways’ Hoosac Tunnel in Western Massachusetts is likely to remain closed the remainder of the month, Norfolk Southern told customers in a service advisory issued this morning. As of Thursday, NS was detouring intermodal traffic via CSX Transportation and carload traffic on the Vermont Rail System.
— Updated at 9 a.m. CST on Feb. 21 with report on Hoosac Tunnel.
