Your latest installment in the occasional Trains News Wire feature offering links to online articles of interest: — The New York Times takes a long look at the fight in Del Mar, Calif., over relocating the former Santa Fe Surf Line, and frames it as part of coastal erosion issues statewide. The link should allow […]
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The union representing workers at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has informed the agency of an intent to strike as of 12:01 a.m. on Monday, March 10. The VTA was informed of the strike plan by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 at a board meeting on Thursday, March 6, KNTV […]
SAN DIEGO — The North County Transit District’s Sprinter rail service is facing an unexpected need to replace its fleet of diesel multiple-unit trainsets, which could place the service between Oceanside and Escondido, Calif., in jeopardy. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that maintenance issues have sidelined all but five of the Sprinter’s 12 two-car trainsets, […]
SAN DIEGO — The effort to determine a new rail route through Del Mar, Calif., will repeat a step — and has a new twist, as well. At a Friday, Feb. 28, meeting, the San Diego Association of Governments restarted the run-up to developing an environmental assessment of the project, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. […]
SAN CARLOS, Calif. — A new poll shows strong general support for Caltrain, as well as support for funding for the commuter rail operation in the wake of its launch of electrified operation. The poll, presented on Wednesday, Feb. 26, to a meeting of Caltrain’s Advocacy and Major Projects Committee, shows 82% of likely voters […]
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego-area Coaster commuter rail service will celebrate its 30th anniversary by offering free rides this Thursday, Feb. 27. The service launched on Feb. 27, 1995, offering six trains during the morning commute and six in the evening. It has grown to include 15 round trips weekdays (with a 16th on […]
LOS ANGELES — California’s high speed rail project, long in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump and his top advisor, billionaire Elon Musk, will be the subject of a compliance review, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said today (Thursday, Feb. 20). KABC-TV reports that Duffy said at a Los Angeles press conference that his agency is […]
CALIENTE, Calif. — About 15 cars of a Union Pacific train derailed on Tehachapi Pass today (Tuesday, Feb. 18), blocking traffic on the busy route shared by UP and BNSF Railway. KBAK-TV reports the Kern County Fire Department was called to the derailment about 9:29 a.m. on Caliente-Bodfish Road, 2 miles north of State Route […]
LOS ANGELES — To help provide additional equipment for Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains, the service’s operating agency has turned to using seven rebuilt, ex-New Jersey Transit Comet 1B coaches for the past seven months. The Comet 1B coaches, which arrived in Los Angeles in June of 2024, were originally part of a larger, 14-car purchase […]
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego area planning agency seeking to develop an inland alternative to the Surf Line rail route along the Del Mar Bluffs has once again broadened the number of prospective routes — with options including a massive relocation project along Interstate 5. The San Diego Association of Governments, or SANDAG, includes […]
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sierra Northern Railway has acquired the assets of locomotive builder RailPower LLC as part of its efforts to develop hydrogen and other low- or zero-emission motive power. RailPower has produced approximately 190 locomotives, including 55 hybrid switchers and 116 genset locomotives, while Sierra Northern is currently involved in development of at […]
CHICAGO — Despite icy conditions across the country’s mid-section and into the Northeast Corridor over the last few days, Amtrak has kept most service running, avoiding widespread weather-related cancellations that occurred throughout January. But substantial initial terminal or en route delays to long-distance trains continue. Many can be traced to mechanical breakdowns. Recent incidents include: […]
