Texas Central signs agreement with Kiewit, Mass. Electric Construction to prepare for installation of Texas high-speed train

Today, Texas Central, developer of the Texas High-Speed Train, continues the momentum toward construction by announcing an agreement with one of the nation’s top train system installation firms Mass. Electric Construction Co.,

U.S. DOT wants to advance highway-rail grade crossing safety

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao announced significant plans to advance highway-rail grade crossing safety. The announcement comes as the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hosted a grade-crossing safety summit, with remarks from

Metra

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.

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

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

derailment

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

Amtrak

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

Progress Rail

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

light rail transit

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 train 501

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.

Sound Transit

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

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

Long Island Rail Road

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.”

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