Miscellaneous
Railfanning.org News Wire
Miscellaneous
Three WDW Cast Members on Leave Following Deadly Monorail Crash
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Three Walt Disney World resort employees are on leave following a monorail crash between two trains that left one of the drivers dead, CNN reported. The network’s Web site quoted a Disney spokesman as saying the action is “part of an investigative process, not a disciplinary action.” The three employees include a manager, the pilot of the second monorail train and a maintenance shop cast member. The manager was at an off-site restaurant at the time of the crash, WESH-TV reported. On July 5, Monorail Pink backed into another train, Monorail Purple, near the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC) monorail station. The operator of Monorail
Amtrak
Five Killed at Mich. Grade Crossing
CANTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Five people were killed today when they drove around the gates of a grade crossing and their car was struck by an approaching Amtrak train, police said. “It looks like they probably did go around the arm,” The Associated Press quoted Sgt. Mark Gajeski as saying. “They went around the gate.” All five victims are believed to be teenagers. According to published reports, the crossing’s gate and flashing lights appeared to be working at the time of the wreck. “There is every indication the train crew was doing exactly what it should have been doing and that there was no malfunction of the train,” The Associated
Commuter Rail
Washington Metro: No Texting for Operators
WASHINGTON — Following a string of embarrassments, including a YouTube video that showed a subway operator texting, Washington Metro has adopted a zero tolerance policy on operator use of cell phones, texting devices. Metrobus and Metrorail operators caught using a cell phone, texting or using a PDA while operating a vehicle will be fired under the new policy announced by Metro General Manager John Catoe. The new policy will take effect on Monday, July 13. “There is no excuse for anyone who is operating a Metrobus or Metrorail train to be using a cell phone or texting other than for an emergency situation, regardless of whether there are passengers on
Commuter Rail
DART Testing Trains on Green Line
Image courtesy DART DALLAS — With only weeks remaining until the 2.7-mile Green Line light rail corridor opens, DART is conducting train tests and warning residents to keep an eye open for trains. The Green Line light rail corridor runs between the Pearl Station and MLK, Jr. Station near Fair Park. The tests will be conducted on an almost daily basis until the section opens September 14. The tests are designed to evaluate the operation of the new light rail track and to familiarize rail operators with the operating characteristics of the trains on the new line. At other crossings DART trains will follow traffic signals. Using $78.4 million in
Amtrak
Lancaster Train Station Renovation Begins
LANCASTER, Penn. — Keystone Corridor passengers who use the Lancaster train station will find it much improved and more accessible and comfortable as a result of a major $12 million renovation project now underway. Representatives from the City of Lancaster, Lancaster County, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Amtrak celebrated the start of the 18-month state and county-led project which has been in development for the past 10 years. The Lancaster station is served by Amtrak’s state-supported Keystone and Pennsylvanian routes. The project includes a complete rehabilitation of the station’s interior and exterior; a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system; new restrooms; improved landscaping; and increased parking capacity
Amtrak
Amtrak Adjusts Acela Express and Northeast Regional Schedules to Accommodate Track Work
WASHINGTON — As Amtrak continues a number of track work projects to improve service in the Northeast, Acela Express and Northeast Regional (Washington to New York to Boston) passengers will see additional, temporary schedule changes beginning July 13. In addition, Amtrak is adding two new Acela Express departures to its regular Sunday schedule between New York and Boston, starting July 19. The track work projects will improve the reliability of train service in the Northeast and will provide passengers with a more comfortable ride. To perform the necessary work, the number of available tracks will be reduced and trains will be single tracking — sharing tracks — as crews work
Commuter Rail
WMATA: Expect Fewer Trains, Slower Service to Continue on Red Line
WASHINGTON — Riders of Metro’s Red Line should expect fewer and slower-moving rush hour trains on the line through at least July 19 while the National Transportation Safety Board continues its investigation into the cause of the June 22 train accident near the Fort Totten Metrorail station. Red Line riders can expect that their trips may take an additional 30 minutes or possibly more to complete and they should build that added time into their plans. Two six-car Red Line trains collided at 5 p.m. Monday, June 22, leaving four people dead, including a female train operator. In addition, there were a number of injuries reported, many serious. According to
Union Pacific
Union Pacific Donates Facility to U.S. Customs and Border Protection
EAGLE PASS, Texas — Officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Union Pacific celebrated the opening of a new rail inspection building in Eagle Pass, Texas. Union Pacific donated the $800,000 facility to CBP. The building will serve as a one-stop location for officers who process information and inspect incoming trains. Eagle Pass Mayor Chad Foster, Maverick County Judge Jose Aranda and other guests dedicated the building, as a Union Pacific locomotive sounded its horn to officially open the new CBP rail facility. “Union Pacific and U.S. Customs and Border Protection work closely to provide safe and secure transportation of goods traveling through the Mexican gateways,” said Union
Commuter Rail
MBTA Trolly Driver Charged for Texting on the Job
NEWTON, Mass. — A Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) was indicted on charges he sent text messages while on the job. The driver told investigators he was sending a text message to his girlfriend on May when he ran through two signals — one yellow and one red. The Green Line trolley, traveling about 25 mph, crashed into a second trolley; 49 people were injured in the collision, according to The Boston Globe. “When people board a public conveyance, they place their lives and safety in the operator’s hands,” Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said in a statement, according to The Boston Globe. “They depend on the driver’s good