Saturday rail news in brief:
Damage to W&LE shops could reach $3 million
The Wheeling & Lake Erie shops in Brewster, Ohio, sustained damage estimated at close to $3 million in a fire that broke out Thursday evening and was not fully extinguished until early Friday morning. The Wooster Daily Record reports that 23 fire departments were involved in fighting the blaze, reported at 7:23 p.m. Thursday. Brewster Village Fire Chief Chris Colucy told the newspaper that at least 20% of roof of the 100-year-old shop building is gone. The last firefighters lef the scene shortly about 1:30 a.m.
Massachusetts Senate approves major transportation spending plan
The Massachusetts Senate has approved almost $17 billion in borrowing to fund improvements to the state transportation system, including Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority improvements, rail electrification, and $50 million for the proposed east-west rail project linking Boston and western Massachusetts. MassLive.com reports the funding includes $3.43 billion for the MBTA, plus funds for specific MBTA projects such as South Coast Rail ($850 million), extension of the subway Green Line ($695 million), and South Station ($400 million). Streetsblog Mass reports the bill does not generate tax revenues to pay the debt, and also does not address operating budget for transit agencies struggling with revenue in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It does include several amendments to fund improvements in preparation for MBTA electrification projects approved last year [see “MBTA board votes for electrification of some commuter rail lines,” Trains News Wire, Nov. 5, 2019].
11 counties set to join Montana agency seeking return of trains on North Coast Hi route
Eleven counties have agreed to join the fledgling Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, which aims to revive passenger service along the southern Montana route last served by the North Coast Hiawatha in 1979. The Montana Current reports that group represents almost half the counties along the rail route, and far exceeds the two counties needed by state law to form the agency. The effort led by Missoula County has also attracted Big Horn, Broadwater, Butte-Silver Bow, Carbon, Dawson, Gallatin, Park, Prairie, Sanders, and Wibaux counties. Next in the formation process is adoption of a joint resolution by each of the counties following public hearings; Missoula County will hold its hearing later this month. Missoula County has also sent a letter to Montana U.S. Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines to support the effort through the upcoming surface transportation bill.
