New York City subway fire kills train operator
The operator of a New York City subway train in Manhattan was killed this morning as a result of a fire that broke out in one of the train cars, according to
Special Podcast Series—The Coronavirus and the Rail Industry: VTA responds to first COVID-19 case involving train operator
Railway Track & Structures Editor-in-Chief Bill Wilson talks with Valley Transportation Authority’s Brandi Childress on how her agency responded to the first COVID-19 case involving a train operator. Other topics discussed: The
S.F. transit agency shuts down light rail service and subway stations in response to COVID-19
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is pulling light rail trains from service and closing some stations as a result of COVID-19 and the state’s shelter-in-place order.
No one injured in yesterday’s derailment of Amtrak’s Auto Train
Amtrak’s Auto Train, which provides passenger service between Washington, D.C. and Orlando, and allows passengers to bring their cars along for the trip, which are stored in auto carriers that are part
U.S. Senate passes $2T stimulus bill; rail/transit to receive billions
By a unanimous 96-0 vote, the U.S. Senate on March 26 passed H.R. 748, its version of a $2 trillion stimulus package for address the devastating economic and societal impacts of the
“Isolate and operate” is the plan for Georgia ports
The Georgia ports of Savannah and Brunswick have continued to operate since the coronavirus landed on U.S. shores, and they turned in record performances during the month of February. The Port of
VTA train operator tests positive for COVID-19; train service is suspended
A Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) train operator-in-training has tested positive for COVID-19 in California, and as a precautionary measure light rail service is being put on pause.
Viral photo of COVID-19 rail freight tanker is ruled fake
A photo taken of a rail freight tanker with “COVID-19” marked on one of its sides quickly became an internet sensation when it was posted on March 14 and March 16.
FRA, responding to joint petition, issues emergency waiver for certain safety regulations
In response to a Petition from the Association of American Railroads (AAR), American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) and American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has
Brightline halts service to South Florida amid coronavirus fears, lays off 250
Brightline laid off 250 people after announcing a temporary halt to its South Florida service because of coronavirus. Those laid off included track and local station workers, as well as Bob O’Malley,
Special Report: On the Front Line: Sound Transit hit hard financially by coronavirus pandemic
The state of Washington was to first feel the impact of the coronavirus. It was the first to report a case in the U.S. and the first to report a death. Sound
Association of American Railroads weekly traffic report
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 21, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 459,966 carloads and intermodal units,
FRA asked by short lines to exempt them from random alcohol and drug tests due to coronavirus
The Fort Worth & Western Railroad, the Texas Northeastern Railway, the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad and the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad have requested that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) waive certain
Sound Transit, Microsoft disagree on land value for Redmond line
When friends become enemies it is always a messy situation. Sound Transit and Microsoft are starting to sling some mud at each other, and it has ended up in a lawsuit.
Special Podcast Series: The Coronavirus and the Rail Industry
RT&S Editor-in-Chief talks with Sound Transit’s John Gallagher on how his agency is dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
TSA says freight railroads need terrorist threat training
FreightWaves is reporting a new rule has been issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that requires railroaders involved in operations that pose a higher-than-average risk to public safety to be trained
Medical professionals ride free on Metra
Metra announced yesterday that it would not charge medical professionals, and other medical personnel, to ride their trains at least through April 7th. All the rider needs to do is show an
UPDATED MARCH 24: Rail Group News Staff Report: Global railway industry response to the COVID-19 pandemic
The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19, otherwise known as the coronavirus, a pandemic, and the U.S. has declared a National Emergency. The global railway industry has been responding. Following is a
Industry, union officials join together to keep construction activities moving during coronavirus pandemic
As the spreading of the coronavirus continues to keep officials at all levels scrambling, one thing remains constant in the U.S.—construction. Officials in both the construction industry and unions want to keep
Coronavirus-driven drop in demand causes Amtrak to cancel Acela Express trains
For many years, Amtrak’s Acela Express trains have zipped up and down the Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C. and Boston, Mass., showcasing the fastest rail passenger service in the United States. As