Still more Friday morning rail news:
Report: New Jersey congressman to seek chair of railroad subcommittee
A report says a New Jersey congressman has indicated his desire to become chair of the House Transportation Committee’s Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. The website New Jersey Globe reports that Donald M. Payne Jr. (D-Newark), elected in 2012 to fulfill the term of his late father and reelected this week to his fifth full term, will seek the position according to another New Jersey legislator, Albio Sires (D-West New York). “I haven’t heard if anyone is running against him,” Sires said. Payne would succeed Daniel Lipinski (D-Ill.), who lost the primary election for his seat earlier this year.
Wisconsin’s National Railroad Museum cancels Polar Express excursions
The National Railroad Museum in Ashwaubenon, Wis., has cancelled its Polar Express excursions — the museum’s biggest fundraiser — for this year, citing the extreme spread of the COVID-19 virus. WLUK-TV reports museum officials said they could not provide the desired experience under current health and safety practices. Those who had bought tickets in advance can receive a refund or donate the value of the tickets to the museum. The museum will still hold its Festival of Trees Nov. 20-Jan. 3. See the museum website for more information.
Man falls onto CTA tracks, is critically injured by train
A 33-year-old man was reported to be critically injured after being trapped under a Chicago Transit Authority train on Thursday night. The Chicago Sun-Times reports the accident occurred at 8:48 p.m. when the man, who was on the platform at the Cicero station, fell onto the tracks and was hit and pinned under the Green Line train. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital for treatment, according to the Chicago Fire Department. Service, suspended because of the accident, was restored shortly after 10 p.m.
