Rail Industry News
Trial date set in lawsuit over California high-speed rail plans
(Source: Fresno Bee, August 3, 2014) FRESNO, Calif. — A trial date has finally been set in Kings County’s long-running lawsuit challenging whether California’s high-speed train project complies with the 2008 bond act for the system. Full story: Fresno Bee
Study: Washington state’s short line railroads are important, but not up to modern standards
(Source: Washington State University press release, July 30, 2015) OLYMPIA, Wash. — More than half of Washington’s short-line rail miles aren’t up to modern standards, a recent study found. The evaluation was done by the Washington State Department of Transportation...
Money for victims of Amtrak train 188 is stuck in limbo
(Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, August 4, 2015) PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — A plan to help the victims of the Amtrak Train 188 derailment will be stuck in limbo for weeks - maybe months - as Congress heads to its summer break, leaving open the question of how much money could...
Judge allows BNSF marsh work to continue in Minnesota
(Source: Winona Daily News, August 3, 2015) LaCROSSE, Wisc. — BNSF Railway can continue building a second track through the La Crosse River marsh, but a judge ruled the railroad won’t be allowed to run trains on it until a legal challenge works its way through the...
Editorial: North Dakota’s rail inspection process begins
(Source: InForum editorial, August 4, 2015) FARGO, N.D. — Despite the Legislature’s reluctance to fully fund the initiative, the program will get started. It’s not yet enough, but it’s a step in the right direction. Full story: www.inforum.com
Intermodal traffic increases on Norfolk Southern’s Heartland Corridor through southern W.Va.
(Source: The State Journal, August 4, 2015) CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As retailers prepare for the Christmas shopping season, intermodal traffic on a rail route through southern West Virginia is up. Norfolk Southern’s Heartland Corridor saw a 2 percent increase in...
Hoffa statement on failure of trade authorities to reach agreement on Trans-Pacific Partnership
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, August 3, 2015) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following is the official statement of Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa in response to trade officials failing to finalize the 12-nation Trans-Pacific...
Gun theft in Chicago rail yard raises security concerns
(Source: Television station WTTW, August 3, 2015) CHICAGO — There is growing concern over the safety of train cars carrying shipments of guns in Chicago. A total of 124 guns were stolen from Norfolk Southern train cars in two recent thefts. Full story: WTTW
Metrolink first to adopt Positive Train Control
(Source: Santa Clarita Valley Signal, August 3, 2015) VALENCIA, Calif. — Metrolink’s “smart collision avoidance system,” aimed at preventing collisions like the 2008 head-on in Chatsworth that killed 25 people, is now a “go” across the commuter rail service’s entire...
Private company seeks exclusive rights for Minnesota high-speed rail
(Source: Post Bulletin, July 31, 2015) ROCHESTER, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Transportation is considering granting a private company exclusive rights to lease air space on highways for an elevated high-speed rail line from Rochester to the Twin Cities. Full...
Oil train information will be limited in New Jersey
(Source: Bergen Record, August 2, 2015) BERGEN COUNTY, N.J. — After backlash from lawmakers and firefighters, the federal government is reversing course and will continue to require rail companies to make public some information about the movements of trains carrying...
Downeaster in recovery mode after dismal year
(Source: Portland Press Herald, August 2, 2015) PORTLAND, Maine — For the first time in four months, Downeaster trains returned to normal schedules Saturday, signaling what supporters hope will be a new era following the service’s dreadful performance over the past 15...
Workers deserve a share of corporate profits
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, July 31, 2015) WASHINGTON, D.C. — There was a time many politicians told the public they would benefit from companies earning huge profits. Trickle-down economics, it was called. But even the most...
Silicon Valley drivers vote unanimously in favor of Teamster contract proposal
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, August 1, 2015) SAN LEANDRO, Calif. — Shuttle drivers for seven big Silicon Valley companies voted overwhelmingly today to approve a union proposal for a first contract that includes industry-leading wages...
Oil train deliveries slow to Delaware City Refinery
(Source: The News Journal, July 30, 2015) WILMINGTON, Del. — Western wildfires and shifting oil markets have drastically trimmed the number of oil train cars coming into the Delaware City Refinery, company officials said Thursday. Full story: The News Journal
Mystery of the unexploded oil train
(Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, August 2, 2015) PHILADELPHIA — A BNSF train pulled out of a terminal in North Dakota's Bakken Shale region last month, hauling 106 tank cars filled with crude oil on a westward journey to a refinery near Ferndale, Wash. It didn't get...
Rail, petroleum industries balking at latest oil train safety rules
(Source: Business Insurance, August 2, 2015) NEW YORK — Industry experts are critical of a new U.S. rule on railroads concerning safely transporting flammable liquids, including the Bakken crude blamed in part for the Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, explosion and fire two years...
NJ Transit expects big bills for offering alternatives during delays
(Source: New York Times, August 2, 2015) NEW YORK — The beleaguered state agency is expecting some expensive bills for the alternative options it provided to thousands of passengers caught up in the spate of service disruptions, which began on July 20 and stretched...
Deal preserves Indy-to-Chicago passenger rail
(Source: Associated Press, August 2, 2015) INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Passenger rail service between Chicago and Indianapolis will be available every day under a two-year contract the Indiana Department of Transportation has signed with Amtrak and a private carrier. The...
Amtrak lifts rail tunnel restrictions after cable repairs
(Source: Associated Press, July 31, 2015) NEWARK, N.J. — Amtrak has lifted restrictions on the number of trains that can be in tunnels under the Hudson River between New Jersey and New York. Full story: Washington Times
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