Chicago train services preparing for extreme cold this winter
Last year’s polar vortex in the Chicago area was no joke, and it might not be a no-show this winter season.
Passenger
Bells & Whistles—Calif. wants cleaner air around railroads and railyards, and more
For the Port Authority settlement story, click here. For the STB demurrage story, click here. For the Amtrak passenger story, click here. For the CARB story, click here.
HDR Indiana rail project recognized by FTA for environmental documentation excellence
The Federal Transit Administration honored an HDR-managed commuter rail project southeast of Chicago for its environmental documentation. HDR completed the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision for the Northern Indiana
Port Authority to receive over $2.5 million from Norfolk Southern after derailment
The Port Authority of Allegheny County in Pennsylvania is expecting to receive almost $2.6 million in damages from Norfolk Southern following the 2018 derailment where a train landed on light rail tracks
Congress pushing back on Amtrak forced arbitration policy
Earlier this week, RT&S reported that the agreement with Amtrak that every passenger enters when they purchase a ticket now contains an arbitration clause that says, essentially, the passenger cannot sue the railroad
Charlotte, N.C., takes first step toward new Silver Line
The city of Charlotte will be moving forward with a 26-mile light rail line that will run from Matthews, N.C., to uptown Charlotte and over to the airport in Gaston County. The
GoTriangle needs to make changes before getting the green light on light rail in Durham, N.C.
GoTriangle is now StopTriangle, but there is a chance it could get the go sign in the future if it makes some adjustments. An American Public Transportation Association report cited errors in
Industrial accident kills Amtrak worker in Chicago
CBS Chicago 2 reports that an industrial accident on Saturday night killed an Amtrak mechanical worker at the company’s yard on 1600 S. Lumber St.
Amtrak – You can’t sue us if we crash
Those who are generally disgruntled with Amtrak have another reason for wishing the rail passenger carrier would change for the better or simply go away. The agreement with Amtrak that every passenger
Bells & Whistles—Episode 16
What were the top news stories RT&S was following this week? Check out our latest Bells & Whistles.
U.S. DOT announces availability of $24 million to restore, enhance intercity passenger rail
The U.S. DOT’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced on Nov. 6 the availability of $24 million in grant funding to initiate, restore, or enhance intercity passenger rail service around the country.
Probable victory of Initiative 976 means financial pain for the state of Washington’s Sound Transit
The first round of votes in the state of Washington involving Initiative 976 does not look promising and has the Sound Transit bracing for the worst.
CRRC’s “Chief Obligation is to the Chinese State”: Report
“CRRC AND BEIJING’S DASH FOR GLOBAL ROLLING STOCK DOMINANCE,” a report prepared by Radarlock, which describes itself as “a research organization that uses data-driven analysis to understand techno-economic dynamics in world affairs,”
MBTA approves massive electrification project that will improve regional rail system
The feelings were electric. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) Fiscal and Management Control Board used one unanimous vote to clear the way for the electrification of the state’s commuter rail system.
Quad Cities to Chicago Amtrak service gets green light
The name “Quad Cities” refers to five U.S. cities, three in Illinois and two in Iowa located along the Mississippi River. The Illinois cities are Moline, Rock Island, and East Moline, and
MBTA considering commuter rail upgrades
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is currently reviewing a variety of options around upgrading their commuter rail system. Specifically, the Authority is considering six options, with price tags of $1.7 billion
Microsoft to host high-speed rail conference
Consideration of high-speed passenger rail service between Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland has been underway for several years. Now, the first conference to discuss this in detail will be hosted next week (November
FRA reports says a signal malfunction caused Memorial Day weekend crash on the Long Island Rail Road
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) says a Memorial Day weekend collision involving two Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) trains was “a signal-caused accident.”
FRA Issues $24MM Maglev NOFO
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently published a Notice of Grant Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for a shade over $24 million for the Magnetic Levitation Technology Deployment Program (Maglev Grants Program). The funding
NTSB preliminary report: Trains given permission to be on same track prior to collision
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary report on an accident involving a two-car Sacramento Regional Transit passenger train and a one-car RT maintenance train on Aug. 22. The