From the Dome: Blueprint for the Future
ATLANTA – From the June 2025 issue of Railway Track & Structures, Editor-in-Chief David C. Lester writes about transcontinental mergers in the monthly column, “From the Dome.”
Author: David C. Lester
U.S. DOT FY 2026 Trump Budget Request Offers Good & Bad for Amtrak
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– The Trump Administration budget request for FY 2026 cuts funding for the NEC and increases funding for the national network.
Wheel Rail Interface Conference 2025 To Be Held in Kansas City, Mo.
ATLANTA –– It has been our pleasure to be the presenting sponsor of the Heavy Haul portion of the Wheel-Rail Interaction Conference for the past two years.
Mineta Transportation Institute Says Cybersecurity In Transit Is Still Not On Track
SAN JOSÉ, Calif. –– The Mineta Transportation Institute, an organization based at San Jose State University, which says its mission is to “create a connected world through research, education, and workforce development,” has released an update to its 2020 report on cybersecurity at transit agencies.
Amtrak to Cut 450 Jobs
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Amtrak announced this week that it will cut 450 jobs as part of an effort to save $100 million.
Will Government Spending Cuts Impair Rail Safety?
Great Care Must Be Taken When Re-Scoping Projects RT&S “From The Dome” May 2025 Issue The debate over government spending has reached a fever pitch in 2025. While most spending can be
Trump Says He’ll Eliminate Funding For California High-Speed Rail
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– During his meeting with the Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, at the White House this week, President Trump announced that he will eliminate funding for the California High Speed Rail Project.
NYPD Reports MTA Conductor Allegedly Slapped In The Face At Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Ave. Subway Station By Unknown Assailant, Who Is Still At Large
JACKSON HEIGHTS, N.Y. –– Last week, an MTA conductor was allegedly slapped in the face by an unknown assailant as his train was about to pull out of the Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Avenue/74th Street subway station.
News Station Is Investigating Public Transit Safety in Seattle — Updated 05/06/25
SEATTLE –– A news organization in Seattle is investigating public transit safety in its city.
MTA Inspector General Releases Report Warning Of The Dangers Of ‘Self Evacuation’ Of Passengers On The New York Subway
NEW YORK –– The Inspector General responsible for the New York Subway, Daniel G. Cort, announced this week that incidents of passenger self evacuation must be reduced.
Montana Passenger Rail Service Remains The Subject of Debate
MISSOULA, Mont. –– Montana just completed its state legislative session, and one of the issues on the table is a proposed rail corridor from Seattle to Chicago, which would run through Montana. Although the bill failed in this session, proponents are optimistic that the bill will be taken up again in the 2027 session.
Editor’s Opinion and Commentary –– New York Governor Kathy Hochul Announces Budget Increases to Improve Subway Safety.
ALBANY, N.Y. — I have written before about the challenges of subway safety in New York and elsewhere in the United States. I am a huge fan of public transit, especially rail and light rail, and the safety challenges riders and operators have endured for years have been of great concern to me. New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced funding measures to help combat safety issues. The question is, how much good will these investments really do?
Does Your State Need Infrastructure Funds From The Federal Government? If So, USDOT Says You Must Scrap Your DEI Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced recently that states will no longer be eligible for federal infrastructure funds unless they follow the Trump administration’s directives regarding cooperation with immigration enforcement efforts and end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Norfolk Southern Must Pay The $600 Million Settlement In 2023 East Palestine Derailment
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio –– This week, an Ohio jury decided that Norfolk Southern was responsible for the $600 million settlement agreement with East Palestine residents and that GATX was not liable in the accident.
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert Wants DOGE To Scrap Funding For Proposed Rail Service On Colorado’s Front Range
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Laura Boebert, a Republican Congresswoman who represents Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, wants DOGE to scrap plans and funding for proposed rail service along her state’s Front Range.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy Says Revised Scope of NJ Dock Bridge Rehabilitation Project Will Reduce Funding Need By $140 million
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy announced this week that Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration have adopted a revised scope for a planned rehabilitation of the Dock Bridge over the Passaic River in New Jersey. The reduced funding is purported to save taxpayers $140 million.
Mount Vernon Railroad and Southwest Indiana Creating ‘Mega Modal’ Opportunity
MOUNT VERNON, Ind. –– Indiana state and local officials this week opened what they term a “Mega Modal” opportunity at the Ports of Indiana – Mount Vernon with the addition of the Mount Vernon Railroad.
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation Unveils $7B Funding Plan for Rail and Public Transit Projects
RICHMOND, Va. –– Amidst the uncertainty surrounding potential federal spending cuts, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation has just unveiled a draft improvement plan totaling approximately $7 billion dollars over six years.
Penn Station Reconstruction To Be Overseen By Federal Railroad Administration
WASHINGTON, D.C. –– The Penn Station Reconstruction project, for which MTA has served as the leading organization overseeing the project, will now be overseen by the Federal Railroad Administration, according to Sean Duffy, U.S. Secretary of Transportation.
Lexington Group Inaugurates H. Roger Grant Book Award
ATLANTA –– While this is not a typical story for RT&S, we thought it would be of interest to our readers. The Lexington Group for Transportation History is a distinguished group of railroaders, writers, librarians, professors, and others focused on the history of transportation.