Articles by Railfanning.org News Wire

No Picture
Commuter Rail

N.J. Transit Board Approves Changes to Bloomfield Ave. Station

March 16, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
NEWARK, NJ — Improvements to make Newark Light Rail’s Bloomfield Avenue Station accessible to customers with disabilities and more convenient for all customers will begin this spring, under a contract approved by the N.J. Transit Board of Directors. “Projects like this reinforce our steadfast commitment to enhancing the accessibility of our facilities and helping to ensure that public transportation is a viable option for all New Jersey residents,” said Transportation Commissioner and N.J. Transit Board Chairman James Simpson. The Board authorized a $5.2 million contract with DMR Construction of Waldwick, N.J., for the construction of accessibility improvements at the station,
No Picture
Kansas City Southern

LaHood Announces $54.6 Million Loan for Kansas City Southern Railway for 30 U.S.-Made Locomotives

February 23, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced a $54.6 million loan to Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCSR) for the purchase of 30 new General Electric ES44AC locomotives.  These diesel-electric locomotives, built in Erie, Pennsylvania, will help KCSR meet increasing economic demand, and are more energy-efficient and produce significantly less carbon emissions than the locomotives they are replacing. “We are seeing President Obama’s commitment to rail boost manufacturing all across America,” LaHood said.  “This is the kind of investment in our transportation systems that creates jobs, boosts the economy and improves the flow of goods.” In addition to energy
No Picture
FRA

FRA Proposes Rule Establishing Training Standards for Railroad Employees

February 8, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Feb. 7 announced a proposal to require railroads to train and qualify employees in safety-related positions on federal railroad safety laws, regulations and orders. “Safety is our highest priority and we will continue to work to create a safer operating environment for employees, passengers and communities,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We have made dramatic progress in improving safety, but there is always more we can do to reduce incidents.” The proposed rule would require each railroad or contractor with safety-related railroad employees to develop a training program designating the qualifications
No Picture
Amtrak

Amtrak exploring feeder bus routes on Crescent route

October 24, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire
ATLANTA — Amtrak could add bus routes to cities located near, but not along, its Crescent route, which the railroad believes will increase “ridership and revenue while expanding the reach of the intercity passenger rail network,” the railroad said in a recent report. Such bus routes would connect the Atlanta Amtrak station with Macon, Ga.; Columbus, Ga.; Dalton, Ga.; and Chattanooga, Tenn.; the railroad indicated. Amtrak estimates annual ridership on the routes would exceed 17,000 passengers and result in a net revenue of $600,000 per year. The bus service is just one of several upgrades the railroad is considering making
No Picture
Amtrak

Amtrak considering changes to Crescent

October 23, 2011 Railfanning.org News Wire
ATLANTA — Amtrak is considering running shorter versions of the Crescent passenger train between Atlanta and New Orleans to save money because of lower ridership numbers, according to a recent report from the passenger railroad. According to the report, Amtrak could “shorten the train south of Atlanta by switching off of the train two or three coaches, the lounge car, and one locomotive. These cars would be serviced at Atlanta during the day and added to the evening northbound train back to New York.” The Crescent runs daily between New York and New Orleans via Atlanta. Amtrak believes the “proposal