Intercity

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.