Amtrak to invest $370 million over 3 years in new equipment
Amtrak plans to double its engineering efforts on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) with the purchase of $370 million of new equipment over a three-year period.
Amtrak
Alabama funding refusal; missed CRISI deadline sets Gulf Coast Amtrak restoration back
An effort to restore Amtrak service along the Gulf Coast absorbed a series of blows toward its progress with Alabama refusing to commit financially to the project along with the deadline passing
MBTA studying feasibility of building rail tunnel connecting north, south networks
A draft study by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has found connecting its north and south commuter rail networks via a rail tunnel would add up to 25 percent capacity, but
BNSF files for PTC deadline extension, cites interoperability challenges
BNSF Railway, citing interoperability issues, has filed a two-year extension request of the Positive Train Control (PTC) deadline with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
Agreement to provide $600M for Portal Bridge construction
New Jersey Transit’s Board of Directors on June 13 approved a financing agreement with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) that provides up to $600 million toward the construction of the
Amtrak marks PTC progress on BNSF lines
Amtrak, working with BNSF, will the week of June 11 implement Positive Train Control (PTC) on BNSF-owned subdivisions that host the Southwest Chief and California Zephyr, marking the first activation on host-owned
NTSB releases preliminary report on Amtrak-CSX accident
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released the preliminary report into the Feb. 4, 2018 collision between an Amtrak and CSX train on CSX’s Columbia Subdivision in Cayce, S.C.
House T&I Committee holds PTC hearing
The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a hearing on Feb. 15 examining the implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC).
NTSB issues three safety recs following LIRR, CSX/Amtrak incidents
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued three urgent safety recommendations, two to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and one to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) based on the agency’s findings in two ongoing railroad accident investigations.
FTA lowers rating for Gateway tunnels
A revision by the Federal Transit Administration lowering the priority rating for the proposed Gateway rail tunnels could endanger funding for the project linking New York and New Jersey.
Amtrak engineer didn’t see mileposts, speed signs prior to deadly derailment
The engineer of an Amtrak train that derailed in DuPont, Wash., in December was aware of the 30 mph curve and planned to reduce speed, but miscalculated the train’s location until it entered the curve and derailed.
Michigan line improvements result in improved Amtrak travel
Amtrak says rail infrastructure improvements along its Chicago – Detroit/Pontiac line have been made to enable safe, faster travel along the Michigan passenger and freight corridor.
Update on Amtrak safety culture, PTC plan requested by Reps. DeFazio and Capuano
Two U.S. Representatives who serve on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure have requested an update on Amtrak’s safety culture and implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC).
Amtrak selects Baltimore Penn Station redevelopment team
Amtrak has selected Penn Station Partners to negotiate a master development deal for Baltimore Penn Station.
New York, New Jersey commit to funding local share of Gateway Project
New York and New Jersey have reached a deal to fund 100 percent the local share of the Gateway Hudson Tunnel Project originally laid out in a 2015 framework agreement, which calls on the federal government to fund 50 percent of the project.
Amtrak: We’re building our safety culture
Amtrak laid out a series of initiatives it has implemented and continues to implement since a derailment in April 2016 left two of the railroad’s employees dead and 39 others injured.
NTSB cites lack of safety culture in Chester, Pa., derailment
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said ignored safety procedures and a fractured safety program are to blame for the April 3, 2016, derailment of Amtrak train 89 near Chester, Penn.