Late recap: Amtrak might be able to sue freight carriers for delays; short liner receives CRISI grant

Written by RT&S Staff
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A measure working its way through a Senate committee would allow Amtrak to sue freight railroad companies for delays.

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin’s Rail Passenger Fairness Act would give Amtrak the right to take legal action against freight trains if track activity is affecting the passenger carrier’s on-time performance. Freight trains are supposed to give way to passenger trains. An Inspector General’s report shows that Amtrak trains are late 27 percent of the time.

The Rail Passenger Fairness Act is currently being reviewed by the Senate Transportation Regulation, Roads and Bridges Committee.

Ellis and Eastern Railroad out of Minnesota/South Dakota is the recipient of a $14.5 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grant from the U.S. DOT.

Ellis and Eastern Railroad will add $19 million to the grant dollars to execute upgrades to the short line railroad. The improvements include infrastructure improvements to bridges and replacing the 80-lb rail with 115-lb rail in order to handle double-stacked freight.

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