TRAINS: David Lassen
Thursday midday rail news:
InnoTrans trade show scraps rescheduled event, will return in 2022
InnoTrans, the world’s largest rail trade fair, has scrapped its rescheduled 2021 event, citing the constantly changing coronavirus situation and resulting lack of certainty for planning. The every-other-year event in Berlin will next be held on its regularly scheduled dates of Sept. 20-23, 2022. ”The decision to postpone InnoTrans until 2022 was very difficult“, said Dr. Christian Göke, chief executive officer of Messe Berlin, the company managing the Berlin Exhibition Grounds where the event is held. “In the current situation no one can predict with sufficient certainty whether the overall conditions will permit the use of our rail track display in April 2021 for example, and the holding of a leading international trade fair such as InnoTrans.” The facility’s 1.9 miles of display track is one of the event’s defining characteristics. The decision to postpone was made in consultation with major companies that participate in the event, he said. More information is available at the InnoTrans website.
Pacific Surfliner to require reservations during Thanksgiving travel period
Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner will require reservations during the Thanksgiving holiday period to manage capacity and distancing. Reservations will be required Nov. 23-30, and the programs that allow Metrolink and Coaster pass users to ride Surfliner trains will be suspended. Those holding Amtrak 10-day and monthy passes can still ride, but will be required to use the Amtrak RideReserve system at the Amtrak website or smartphone apps to confirm trip plans. For more information, see the Surfliner website.
Texas county joins suit against Texas Central project
Grimes County, Texas, has voted to join a lawsuit attempting to block construction of the Texas Central high speed rail project. KBTX-TV reports county commissioners voted unanimously on Wednesday to join landowners and the opposition group Texans Against High Speed Rail in the lawsuit, after previously approving a proclamation opposing the project. County Judge Joe Fauth said commissioners oppose the project because the 47 route-miles in the county will “literally divide our county completely in half.”
