Brightline on Feb. 19 welcomed the Bright Orange 2 trainset to Orlando, Fla., following its 10-day journey from Siemens’ rolling stock facility in Sacramento, Calif.

Brightline’s ‘Bright Orange 2’ Rolls Into Orlando

Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, is one step closer to extending its 67-mile Miami-to-West Palm Beach line north to Orlando.

Brightline Launches New Rail Safety PSA

Brightline launched a new rail safety campaign Feb. 6, as the agency works to further educate community members on the importance of safety near the tracks.

Amtrak Completes Design for Connecticut River Bridge Replacement Project

Amtrak shared updates on its Connecticut River Bridge Replacement Project on Feb. 10 as part of a broader effort to reduce the agency’s backlog of State-of-Good-Repair work and expand rail service across the network.

Watch: Biden announces investment in ‘Mega Projects,’ including Concrete Casing for Hudson Yards

NEW YORK – This week, President Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced that the Biden-Harris Administration has awarded nearly $1.2 billion from the new National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) discretionary grant program for nine projects across the country.

Amtrak Takes First Step to Re-Equip Long-Distance Network

Amtrak has announced that 10 manufacturers have submitted their ideas on replacement railcars for such overnight routes as Auto Train, California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Crescent, Empire Builder and Southwest Chief, marking the “first formal step to completely reequip the Amtrak Long-Distance Network that provides vital service on 14 overnight routes from coast to coast,” the railroad reported Jan. 19.

The Guadalupe River Bridge Replacement Project will replace the Northbound Bridge (MT-1), built in 1935, and extend the Southbound Bridge (MT-2) for passenger and freight rail service.

Caltrain Advances Guadalupe River Bridge Replacement Project

Caltrain on Jan. 31 will host a virtual community meeting on the $63.3 million Guadalupe River Bridge Replacement Project in San Jose, Calif., which will replace the northbound wooden trestle bridge built in 1935 and extend the southbound concrete bridge built in 1990.

BMWED Passenger-Rail Groups Merge

The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) has announced that members of its Chicago Passenger Federation (CPF) have voted to merge with its United Passenger Rail Federation (UPRF).

Jim Blaze photo

Amtrak Petitions FRA to Retire Maryland Fixed Wayside Signals

Amtrak is seeking Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) approval to retire fixed wayside signals as automatic block points on the Mid-Atlantic Division’s Philadelphia-to-Washington, line (a Northeast Corridor branch), according to a notice in the Federal Register’s Jan. 17 edition.

Watch: Brightline Gives Us A Peek Into the Orlando Station

ORLANDO–Brightline released a video and renderings of the future station, located at Orlando International Airport, that will connect millions and regionalize the state.

Brightline to Resume High-Speed Testing Through Martin, St. Lucie Counties

Brightline recently announced that 110 mph train testing through Martin and St. Lucie counties will resume Friday, Jan. 6.

The San Dieguito Double Track and Platform Project is slated to replace the nearly 100-year-old wooden trestle across San Dieguito Lagoon, add about one mile of double track in Solana Beach and Del Mar, and add a special events platform at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, according to SANDAG. (Photograph Courtesy of SANDAG)

Report: NCTD, Del Mar at Odds, Again

North County Transit District (NCTD) and the city of Del Mar, Calif., disagree on how to spend a $300 million grant from the state’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Brightline Launches Two New South Florida Stations

Brightline celebrates the ribbon-cutting for two new stations in South Florida on Dec. 20, launching service in Aventura and Boca Raton the following day.

Starting in 2023, the MTA says it is working to implement operating efficiencies yielding $100 million in savings in 2023 and rising to $416 million in savings by 2026.

NYMTA Sets 2023 Budget, Major Projects

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced Dec. 21 that it has approved its 2023 budget and four-year financial plan; is taking action to reduce costs of capital projects, including Second Avenue Subway and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Third Track; and is awarding a $382 million contract for the Metro-North Park Avenue Viaduct rehabilitation project.

NYMTA: $2.5B to Enhance Resiliency, Expand Accessibility

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced Dec. 19 that $2.5 billion through 19 procurements will be invested to “combat climate change, expand accessibility and improve service,” following MTA Board approval.

Orange County Says Trains May be Back in February

There’s a small bright spot in the ongoing saga of the erosion of the southern California coast, and the impact on rail lines and rail service.

Amtrak Looks to Remove Pennsylvania ‘Distant Signals’

With Positive Train Control (PTC) operational, Amtrak is seeking Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) approval to remove automatic wayside signals serving as distant signals to existing interlockings on the Mid-Atlantic Division’s Philadelphia-to-Harrisburg, Pa.

Amtrak stepping up efforts for B&P Tunnel Replacement

WASHINGTON – Amtrak is pursuing a Delivery Partner model as part of its plans to replace the B&P Tunnel.

OCTA Performing Emergency Stabilization Work

RT&S has reported extensively on the bluff failures at Del Mar and San Clemente during the past year. Now, the Orange County Transportation Authority and its contractor have begun construction activities to stabilize the railroad track through southern San Clemente, work that is expected to be completed in February.

Here We Go Again – Tropical Storm Nicole Takes Aim at Florida

Just a few weeks after Hurricane Ian wreaked havoc through much of Florida, particularly in the Fort Myers area, forecasters are keeping a watchful eye on Tropical Storm Nicole, which appears to be headed to some of the same areas hit by Ian.

Watch: Brightline Train Testing Video Feast

Brightline has been conducting high-speed testing on its new line to Orlando for the past several weeks.

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