The dispute between Amtrak and Metra over Chicago Union Station is back before the Surface Transportation Board. TRAINS: David Lassen WASHINGTON — Amtrak has filed a petition with the Surface Transportation Board asking the agency to settle its ongoing dispute with Metra over terms and compensation for Chicago commuter railroad’s use of the Amtrak-owned Chicago […]
More Wednesday morning rail news: Kansas City streetcar extension receives FTA go-ahead Kansas City, Mo., has received clearance from the Federal Transit Agency to advance to the next phase of the planned KC Streetcar Main Street Extension. The Streetcar Authority announced Tuesday that that FTA approved the project to enter the New Starts Engineering phase […]
A southbound Amtrak Hiawatha approaches Metra’s Western Avenue station in August 2019. Hiawatha rail service, replaced by buses since April 24, will resume June 1. TRAINS: David Lassen Memorial Day rail news in brief: Hiawatha rail service resumes June 1; more trains to be added June 29 One Amtrak Hiawatha round trip will return Monday, […]
More Friday rail news in brief: Union Pacific lays off workers at North Platte, Neb. Union Pacific has laid off an undisclosed number of mechanical-department workers based at its massive Bailey Yard in North Platte, Neb. The North Platte Telegraph quotes UP spokeswoman Raquel Espinoza as saying that with the decline in volume because of […]
Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad president Greg Vreeland uses hand signals after attaching track tongs to a 200-foot section of 100-pound rail held by a contractor’s excavator on May 11, 2020. The rail is being moved into place on a new alignment while the excavator sits on what will be the new Wild Rivers Trail alignment […]
Canadian Pacific’s Bensenville Yard as seen from the window of a commercial flight that just took off from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in September 2015. Chris Guss CHICAGO — Agreements have been reached between Canadian Pacific, Union Pacific, and the Illinois Tollway in a years-long dispute over access to railroad property in and around the […]
DAYTON, Ohio – Two railfan events scheduled for summer 2020 are cancelled due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. The annual Carillon Park Rail Festival in Dayton is cancelled for 2020. The event, which features miniature train rides with live steam locomotives, historical exhibits, and a swap meet, is traditionally held the weekend after Father’s Day. […]
AIS 708 runs around an empty Wisconsin Central boxcar for spotting at City Carton at the north end of the IAIS Hills Industrial Spur. Video by James McNab. […]
AIS 708 runs around an empty Wisconsin Central boxcar for spotting at City Carton at the north end of the IAIS Hills Industrial Spur. Video by James McNab. […]
More Wednesday morning rail news: — It would take more than $700 million to restore the former Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway line on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, to operating condition suitable for a proposed commuter rail service, and another $600 million to launch such a service, according to a government report issued Tuesday. The Vancouver […]
A southbound Amtrak Hiawatha races through Lake Forest, Ill., on Feb. 2, 2020. Amtrak will replace the lone remaining Hiawatha round trip with buses as of Friday. TRAINS: David Lassen Wednesday afternoon rail news: — As of Friday, April 24, Amtrak will replace the remaining daily Hiawatha round trip between Chicago and Milwaukee with Thruway […]
LAKE GENEVA, Wis. — The Midwest Association of Rail Shippers has cancelled its summer meeting, which had been scheduled for July 20-21 at Lake Geneva. “This was not an easy decision,” MARS president Stefan Loeb said in a message to association members. “We understand our members enjoy and appreciate the education and networking opportunities the […]
