Fires disrupt service on Northeast Corridor, Hartford Line
Amtrak service on the Northeast Corridor between New York and Boston has been disrupted this morning by fire department activity earlier this morning in Providence, R.I., that has affected overhead power lines. WJAR-TV reports a locomotive fire on an MBTA train in one of the underground approaches to the Providence early this morning has disrupted both Amtrak and MBTA service. As a result, some Acela trains are originating in New York rather than Boston; other trains are being delayed because the power issues are requiring equipment changes. Also, Hartford Line service for Amtrak and CTrail is being impacted by a fire, leading to buses being substituted for train service. Watch the Amtrak NEC Alerts and Hartford Line Alerts twitter feeds for more information.
Minnesota legislator seeks shutdown of Northstar commuter trains
A Minnesota state legislator wants to shut down the Northstar commuter rail operation and use the funds to help rebuild riot-damaged businesses in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Minnesota News Network reports Rep. Jon Konznick (R-Lakeville) says “Republicans… would like to re-purpose the dollars for the Northstar Passenger Rail for something (of) more benefit to the state of Minnesota, and Democrats have been trying to put together a plan to help build some of these business corridors.” Northstar, which operates a 40-mile line between Minneapolis and Big Lake, Minn., has suffered massive ridership losses during the COVID-19 pandemic and is currently operating just two round trips on weekdays, down from six weekday round trips and three on weekends.
Savage to open Idaho’s first intermodal terminal
Plans have been announced to build Idaho’s first intermodal rail terminal in Pocatello, which could be operational by midyear. The Post Register reports global supply chain company Savage has reached agreement with Union Pacific to build and operate the terminal within the railroad’s Pocatello yard. The facility, Savage Railport-Southern Idaho, will be used to ship containers of agricultural products to ports in Seattle and Tacoma, Wash. A Savage spokesman said the facility expects to initially ship 150 containers per week, increasing to 250 by year’s end.
Sacrifice an AIRPORT, no matter how small and unprofitable, for a transit line!?!? If State Rep. Konznick reads you saying that he’ll report you to the FBI for subversive behavior worse than the guys who stormed the Capitol on 1/6. Watch out Galen. He may be coming for you.
Regarding the Northstar Commuter – here’s a better idea to save money quit dumping money into the money loosing St Cloud airport which is 60 mi from the Twin Cities & run the Northstar to St. Cloud like it was suppose to originally.