Rail Industry News
10 years after Baltimore tunnel fire, much is unchanged
(Source: Baltimore Sun, July 16, 2011) BALTIMORE, Md. — Ten years ago, a CSX train derailed and caught fire in a 100-year-old tunnel in downtown Baltimore. The derailment and fire paralyzed the city and brought freight traffic to a halt along the East Coast. According...
Two BNSF workers hurt in washout, bridge collapse
(Source: Minnesota Public Radio, July 16, 2011) ST. PAUL, Minn. — Two BNSF Railway workers sustained injuries when a washout caused a bridge collapse near Fridley, Minn. The injuries were described as minor. Heavy rains likely contributed to the washout and bridge...
Book review: How Robber Barons railroaded America
(Source: New York Times, July 15, 2011) NEW YORK — In his new book titled "Railroaded: The Transcontinentals and the Making of Modern America," author Richard White asserts that "Transcontinental railroads were a Gilded Age extravagance that rent holes in the...
SunRail Q&A: Groundbreaking was yesterday near downtown Orlando
(Source: Orlando Sentinel, July 17, 2011) ORLANDO — Groundbreaking was held yesterday near downtown Orlando for the controversial SunRail passenger line. The Orlando Sentinel published an extensive question and answer session regarding the new route. Source: Orlando...
Opinion: Reform needed to end the railroad pricing monopoly
(Source: The Hill, July 14, 2011) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Glenn English, CEO of the National Rural Electrical Cooperatives Association and Chairman of a freight shippers' advocacy group called Consumers United for Rail Equity (CURE), is calling for several key freight rail...
Metra may propose service reductions, fare hikes
(Source: Chicago Tribune, July 15, 2011) CHICAGO — Metra's board members are considering train service reductions and fare increases to offset growing financial pressures. According to the Chicago Tribune, Metra may eliminate 31 weekday trains and 18 weekend trains....
Metrolink crash: Victims of so-called “tort reform”
(Source: The Atlantic, July 18, 2011) NEW YORK — The victims of the 2008 Metrolink fatality are also victims of so-called "tort reform," which put a cap on the size of claims victims could obtain arising from a single accident. In this case, the cap was $200 million....
Congressional Research Service: Privatizing Amtrak violates constitution’s Takings Clause
(Source: The Hill, July 13, 2011) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Congressional Research Service said that the House Republican plan to privatize the Northeast Corridor is illegal because it would violate the Takings Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.),...
Union Pacific to announce second quarter results on July 21
(Source: Union Pacific press release, July 14, 2011) OMAHA, Neb. — In conjunction with Union Pacific Corporation's Second Quarter 2011 Earnings Release, the railroad will broadcast its presentation live over the Internet and via teleconference on Thursday, July 21,...
Amtrak to restore most Empire Builder service next week
(Source: Associated Press, July 14, 2011) BISMARCK, N.D. — With flood waters receding and track repairs completed by BNSF Railway, Amtrak says it will resume service between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest next week. The only exception will be Minot, N.D., where its...
Amtrak to exceed 30 million passengers for the first time ever
(Source: Amtrak press release, July 12, 2011) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak is projecting that for the first time ever its annual ridership will exceed 30 million passengers and in the process set a new all-time record when the current fiscal year ends Sept. 30. "We are...
Amtrak route from Pittsburgh to D.C. to see disruptions
(Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, July 15, 2011) PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Due to track work near Cumberland, Md., Amtrak's Capitol Limited service between Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh, Pa., could see delays and regular service disruptions for the next 12 months. Full...
Midwest flooding causes Amtrak delays, added expense
(Source: Associated Press, July 15, 2011) LINCOLN, Neb. — Amtrak has been inundated with delays and extra expenses this summer due to Midwest flooding. The passenger railroad is shouldering the added costs such as employee overtime and charter buses. Full story: San...
U.S. Rep says Amtrak’s Downeaster workers should be praised for accident response
(Source: The Hill, July 14, 2011) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) said that Amtrak workers who were on board The Downeaster when it was hit by a dump truck on Monday, July 11, should be praised for their response to the accident. Full story:...
Mica wants Amtrak to cede operations to private investors
(Source: Bloomberg, July 14, 2011) WASHINGTON, D.C. — In an interview with Bloomberg, U.S. Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) said Amtrak must give up some rights to operate trains along the Northeast Corridor to attract private investors in high-speed rail. Full story:...
AAR: Railroads report dip in weekly freight traffic
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, July 14, 2011) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported a decrease in weekly rail traffic, with U.S. railroads originating 245,574 carloads for the week ending July 9, 2011,...
Longshoremen block BNSF train delivery at Port of Longview
(Source: The Daily News Online, July 14, 2011) LONGVIEW, Wash. — Hundreds of union dock workers blocked a mile-long train from delivering grain to the EGT terminal at the Port of Longview early Thursday morning, July 14. The 107-car train was rerouted to Vancouver,...
Judge says $200 million divided among 2008 Metrolink crash victims falls short
(Source: Associated Press, July 14, 2011) LOS ANGELES — A federal judge has divided $200 million among the victims of the 2008 Metrolink crash in Chatsworth, Calif. The Associated Press reports that some of the victims were "short changed" because of a federal cap on...
In Wisconsin recall, Democrats (real ones) win primaries
(Source: Associated Press, July 13, 2011) MADISON, Wisc. — Six Republican candidates posing as Democrats lost to genuine Democrats in primaries on Tuesday in Wisconsin. The voting is part of a series of recall elections singling out nine Wisconsin state senators for...
Amtrak pilot program allows golf club carry-ons
(Source: Associated Press, July 14, 2011) CHICAGO — Amtrak is offering a pilot program for golfers that allows them to bring their clubs on board as carry-on baggage for $10 per bag, each way. The option is only available on certain routes to and from Chicago, St....
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