Bells & Whistles—WMATA not ready to fix rail due to rail car wheel issue
The top news stories we were following the week ending Sept. 23.
Washington Metro on possible track issues behind rail car wheel problems: ‘WMATA is treading carefully’
Washington Metro’s Vice President and Assistant Chief Safety Officer Jayme Johnson wants everyone to know that the NTSB investigation involving the 7000-series rail car is still ongoing, and that no definitive conclusions have been made.
TEXRail gets a visit from the Federal Transit Administration
Texas commuter rail TEXRail, a subsidiary of Trinity Metro, the transit agency for Tarrant County in north central Texas, got a visit from the FTA this week.
Southwest Light Rail project accused of causing more structural damage to nearby property
Met Council and the builders behind the Southwest Light Rail project are being taken to court by a businessman who claims nearby construction caused damaged to a warehouse that he owns.
Train derailment leaves rail bridge heavily damaged; transit accident sends three to hospital
Two derailments occurred on Sept. 21; one happened in dramatic fashion while the other showed more of a pattern.
Railway supply groups pledge future collaboration
This year at Innotrans, the annual railroad trade fair held in Berlin each year, U.S., Canadian, and European rail supply groups pledged to collaborate more effectively from this point forward.
More funds for CREATE’s rail line modernization project
The Chicago Region Environment and Transportation Efficiency Program (CREATE) partners announced that $70 million in federal funds will soon be on the way to Chicago, allowing for a $170 million project to modernize a 2-mile stretch of rail lines that provide a critical connection for freight moving across the Chicago region.
Washington Metro ignores track issue that could be pulling rail car wheels apart
Washington Metro’s issues with rail cars might be more linked to what is under the wheels than the wheels themselves.
NTSB releases preliminary report on UP employee fatality
A Union Pacific conductor was killed in August during a reverse movement on the railroad. The NTSB has released the preliminary report on the accident.
REMSA offering undergraduate scholarships for 2023
The Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) has just announced the availability of two undergraduate scholarships for tuition assistance for the 2023 academic year.
U.S. Class 1 rail employment rose in August
According to data from the Surface Transportation Safety Board, Class 1 railroad employment rose in August to its highest level since December 2020.
APTA calls on Congress for needed funding following severe natural events
Transit agencies across the U.S. have some unmet needs due to severe natural events, and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is taking the natural route for funding.
U.S. DOT announces grant awards for improvement of rail-highway crossings
The U.S. DOT’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced $59 million in grant awards for rail-highway grade crossings in California, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania.
MBTA does five years’ worth of rail improvements in 30 days; addresses FTA Special Directive
The MBTA announced that service on the Orange Line and Green Line Union Square resumed on Sept. 19.
MTA track replaced with proven updated design
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that normal J and Z service was restored by 5 a.m. on Sept. 19 between the 121 Street and Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer stations in Queens following completion of approximately 2.4 miles of track replacement.
U.S. DOT announces $1.5 billion in INFRA grants
The U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has announced the award of $1.5 billion from the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) competitive grant program for highway, multimodal freight and rail projects.
OmniTRAX signs letter of intent to buy San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad
OmniTRAX, the short line railroad company that owns and operates over 20 railroads in the U.S., has signed a letter of intent to purchase the bankrupt San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad.
Bells & Whistles—Purple Line project expecting more delays, workforce issues
The top news stories RT&S was following the week ending Sept. 16.
Closure of MBTA Green Line D Branch planned for infrastructure upgrades
Beginning Saturday, Sept. 24, the Green Line D Branch will close for three nine-day, full-access closures.
Merchants Bridge in St. Louis reopens
The city of St. Louis and the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRRA) celebrated the opening of the new Merchants Bridge.