Rail Industry News
STB drops proposal to prioritize freight trains over Amtrak
(Source: The Hill, July 28, 2016) WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a big win for Amtrak, a panel of federal regulators has reversed course on two proposals that the passenger rail service says would have led to significant delays. The Surface Transportation Board (STB) announced...
The public sounds off on plans for Amtrak’s East Coast route
(Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, July 28, 2016) PHILADELPHIA — From the end of 2015 to the beginning of this year, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) sought feedback for its plans to update and redesign the Northeast Corridor, the busy rail route Amtrak travels...
Vision for East Coast rail service takes another step forward
(Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, July 29, 2016) PHILADELPHIA — The Federal Railroad Administration released Thursday the public's input on its Northeast Corridor Futures proposals, a set of potential improvements and redesigns for Amtrak's route from Boston to...
AAR: Rail traffic down 5.3 percent from 2015 for week ending July 23
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, July 27, 2016) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 23, 2016. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 528,070...
Despite rail safety improvement attempts, runaway train cars still an issue in Canada
(Source: Globalnews.ca, July 27, 2016) OTTAWA — On March 1, a rail car full of asphalt rolled away from the Co-op Refinery toward downtown Regina – uncontrolled – for about four kilometers. It crossed seven streets before coming to a stop. Full story:...
Study shows higher minimum wage isn’t a job killer
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, July 26, 2016) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Opponents of raising the minimum wage to upwards of $15 often talk about how such a move would result in fewer jobs and ultimately less pay for the workers who need it the...
Oil traffic in Bergen County, N.J., slowed by price drop
(Source: www.nj.com, July 27, 2016) BERGENFIELD, N.J. — Environmentalists have long tried to stop trains carrying crude oil from passing through Bergen County, fearing what could happen if they crash. But in the past few months, another force has slowed down oil train...
Crude by rail shipments on steady decline month-over-month in 2016
(Source: Canadian Press, July 27, 2016) CALGARY — Shipments of crude-by-rail have shown a steady decline this year and railway executives see little hope of a quick turnaround. Full story: www.metronews.ca
South Texas considered possible route for high-speed rail
(Source: The Monitor, July 27, 2016) McALLEN, Texas — A high-speed rail could one day be passing through South Texas, according to a news release from U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar’s office, which announced a study into the feasibility of a high-speed train throughout the...
German rail system plans to add 500 workers for security
(Source: Reuters, July 27, 2016) NEW YORK — Germany's railways, reeling from an attack by an axe-wielding youth who injured four passengers on a train last week, on Wednesday said it would add 500 workers to bolster security in coming years. Full story: Reuters
Washington’s Union Station briefly evacuated over bomb threat
(Source: Reuters, July 27, 2016) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Police declared an all-clear at Washington's Union Station and allowed people to re-enter the train terminal after a bomb threat on Wednesday forced a brief evacuation. The entire incident lasted less than an hour....
Editorial: Idea to fine oil trains a bad approach
(Source: Editorial in the Bismarck Tribune, July 27, 2016) BISMARCK, N.D. — Some Spokane, Wash., political leaders want to fine railroad companies $261 per rail car carrying crude oil through the city. They see the oil as a threat to the community and want to use the...
Cities turn to local action to block oil trains
(Source: Associated Press, July 27, 2016) SEATTLE — As crude oil trains began rolling through its downtown a few years ago, Spokane was among the first cities to pass a resolution calling for stronger federal safety regulations. Full story: Fuelfix
Railroads must switch cargo to rivals under proposed STB rule
(Source: Bloomberg, July 27, 2016) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Surface Transportation Board proposed a rule Wednesday allowing shippers to switch cargo among large railroads if there’s reasonable access to competing tracks. Full story: Bloomberg
DOT announces $199 million available for Positive Train Control implementation on commuter railroads
(Source: Federal Railroad Administration press release, July 28, 2016) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced that it will accept applications for $199 million in competitive grant funding for Positive Train Control (PTC)...
Union Pacific Museum ranks high among transportation history destinations
(Source: Omaha World-Herald, July 27, 2016) COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — Council Bluffs has a rich railroad history. So rich in fact, that it was recently recognized for it by USA Today. Full story: Omaha World-Herald
Protesters left out of oil train safety meeting in N.J.
(Source: www.nj.com, July 25, 2016) BERGENFIELD, N.J. — More than 15 protesters were left out of a meeting of local officials on the safety of freight trains carrying crude oil. Full story: www.nj.com
Niagara Falls opens new train station, but no lease yet with Amtrak
(Source: Buffalo News, July 26, 2016) BUFFALO, N.Y. — The signs are up and the new “Amtrak” train station at 825 Depot St. is being officially unveiled to the public on Saturday. The only thing missing is a lease with the major tenant of the train station — Amtrak....
MBTA facing federal complaint for ending late-night service
(Source: Boston.com, July 26, 2016) BOSTON — In a federal complaint filed Tuesday, transit and neighborhood advocates said the MBTA botched the cancellation of late-night weekend service earlier this year. They argue that the T used flawed data to suggest the move...
Plano poised to spend $12 million fast-tracking Cotton Belt rail service, but hurdles remain
(Source: Dallas Morning News, July 26, 2016) DALLAS — Plano's initial support for spending $12.3 million to fast-track rail service on the Cotton Belt line is a sign that some Dallas Area Rapid Transit members are willing to chip in extra money for the long-lingering...
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