Commuter Rail – Page 58 – Railfanning.org

Minnesota Conducting Study of Future Rail Lines

April 7, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota is conducting a statewide study of future rail lines in Minnesota will consider all options. Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced the survey, as the state prepares an application for “federal stimulus funding” for rail projects. Pawlenty is directing Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel and the Minnesota Intercity Passenger Rail Transportation Forum to study all potential future rail lines in Minnesota. The group will advise Commissioner Sorel on the implementation of a comprehensive statewide freight and passenger rail plan and on which projects to submit for federal funding. Pawlenty and Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., have

MTA LIRR Asks Public To Help Name Two Retired Locomotives As Part Of Its 175th Anniversary Celebration

April 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — The MTA Long Island Rail Road is launching a contest to name two retired LIRR locomotives – No. 397 and No. 398 – that are being loaned to the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum as part of the yearlong celebration of the LIRR’s 175th anniversary. The two mini locomotives were used as “switching locomotives” in the LIRR’s Morris Park diesel servicing and repair yard in Richmond Hill, Queens. These diminutive locomotives (150 horsepower) were used to “switch” or move passenger and freight locomotives throughout the diesel facility – especially when locomotives were unable to operate under their own

Powell Industries Receives $46 Million Contract for Phase One of the Dulles Airport Metrorail Extension

April 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

HOUSTON — Powell Industries Inc., a manufacturer of equipment and systems for the control, distribution and management of electrical and other dynamic processes, announced that it has received a $46 million contract to supply the packaged electrical power systems to distribute and control the power needs for Phase One of the Dulles Metrorail Project Silver Line extension. Federal funding for Phase One of the project was approved on Jan. 7. The total 23 mile extension will run from Northern Virginia to Dulles Airport and beyond. The first phase includes eleven new passenger stations and is approximately half of the total

Caltrain: Rail Grinding Will Result in Quieter Trains

March 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

SAN CARLOS, Calif. — Caltrain began a three-week rail grinding project March 18 “that will result in measurably reduced noise impacts for neighbors next to the right of way and a safer, smoother ride for passengers,” the railroad said. A rail-mounted, industrial-sized grinder will be used to smooth out defects and restore the shape of the rail. During the rail maintenance, there will be noise impacts to areas immediately adjacent to the rail alignment while the grinding is taking place. The contractor is required to maintain noise levels below 85 decibels at a distance of 25 feet from the center

TTA Chooses DART’s Thomas as Outstanding General Manager

March 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

DALLAS — Gary Thomas, President and Executive Director of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), has received the Outstanding Public Transportation General Manager Award from the Texas Transit Association (TTA). The award, which honors a public transportation manager who has made outstanding contributions to the industry, was presented to Thomas during the 2009 Texas Transit Conference in Austin. Thomas was recognized for leading DART to secure a $700 million Full Funding Grant Agreement, one of the nation’s largest, from the Federal Transit Administration; for beginning construction on the Green Line rail expansion that will lead to a doubling of the

10.7 Billion Trips Taken on U.S. Public Transportation in 2008

March 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

Despite falling gas prices and an economic recession, increasing numbers of Americans took 10.7 billion trips on public transportation in 2008, the highest level of ridership in 52 years and a modern ridership record, according to a report released today by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). This represents a 4 percent increase over the number of trips taken in 2007 on public transportation, while at the same time, vehicle miles traveled (VMTs) on the nation’s roads declined by 3.6 percent in 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. “Even as gas prices fell for the second half of

CTA to Use ‘Stimulus Funds’ for Slow Zone Project in Dearborn Subway

March 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — The Chicago Transit Authority Board approved a $56.6 million contract for renewal of approximately 36,000 feet of track in the Blue Line Dearborn subway. Funding for the work is being provided by “stimulus funds.” The work will remove the existing slow zones and help prevent the creation of new slow zones in the Dearborn subway. In 2007 and 2008, CTA eliminated 6,336 feet of slow zones in the Blue Line subway between the Damen and Clark/Lake stations. “The allocation of stimulus funding comes at a critical time for CTA as the agency needs funding to maintain an aging

Historic Tarrytown Train Station Next for Restoration

March 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — MTA Metro-North Railroad is set to begin restoration of the historic Tarrytown train station building this spring complete with a new slate roof, gutters, canopy supports, and reconstruction of three roof dormers that were removed decades ago. “The railroad is pleased to finally begin restoration of the Tarrytown Station building, a gem that has been in continuous use since it was built in 1890 by the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad,” said Metro-North President Howard Permut. “When the job is done the station will be a real asset to the village, to the public and

Metro Moves Ahead with ‘Economic Stimulus’ Projects

March 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Metro is moving forward with spending nearly $202 million on “economic stimulus projects” that include fixing crumbling platforms, repairing tracks and buying new hybrid-electric buses, the agency said. Metro’s Board approved a revised list of 29 projects and moving ahead with awarding nearly 100 contracts and purchases. The first purchase is expected to be made at the end of April for about 45 new hybrid-electric buses with a manufacturer Metro has already contracted with to make Metrobuses. Metro previously announced $230 million in planned stimulus projects, but the list was pared down after some of the funds went

MARC Train Collides with Metrobus; Minor Injuries Reported

March 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

RIVERDALE, Md. — A Metrobus was involved in a collision with a MARC train and another Metrobus at about 4:24 p.m. March 26 at Queensbury Road and Lafayette Avenue. According to the preliminary report, Metrobus 6040, which had no passengers on board and was operating an F4 route to the New Carrollton Metrorail station, was traveling eastbound on Queensbury Road and attempting to cross the railroad tracks when it was delayed by a second Metrobus attempting to make a left turn. The second Metrobus, number 9731, operating an F4 route to the Silver Spring Metrorail station, was traveling westbound on