Commuter Rail – Page 73 – Railfanning.org

Lumber Car Strikes MBTA Commuter Train

March 26, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CANTON, Mass. — About 150 people were injured when a lumber car crashed into a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter train Tuesday afternoon, March 25, authorities said. “All the lights went out and people were flying down the aisles and people were on the floor of the car,” one passenger told The Boston Herald newspaper. “The car began filling up with dust and the scary part was part of the woods was burning up outside the doors.” The train was en route from Boston’s South Station to Stoughton at the time of the crash. An estimated 300 people were on

NTSB: 2007 Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority Rail Accident Was Failure to Provide Signal Protection for Track Maintenance Workers

March 18, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of the collision involving a Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority train with a maintenance truck in Woburn, Mass., was the failure of the train dispatcher to maintain blocking that provided signal protection for the track segment occupied by the maintenance-of-way work crew, and the failure of the work crew to apply a shunting device that would have provided redundant signal protection for their track segment. “This tragic accident occurred because several employees of the railroad failed to do a very important part of their job,” NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker

Wabtec Receives Orders Worth $100 Million to Supply Components for NY Subway Cars

March 13, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WILMERDING, Pa. — Wabtec Corp. said it has received orders worth about $100 million to supply components for New York City subway cars being purchased under the city’s R-160 program. The contracts represent components for the first option order of 620 cars, which are to be delivered over the next two years. Under the R-160 program, New York City has now ordered 1,280 cars and has an option to order an additional 420. The cars are being built by ALSTOM Transportation and Kawasaki. Wabtec has been supplying components for the base order of 660 cars and will now provide the

New Grant Program Provides First-Ever Federal-State Funding Partnership to Improve and Expand Intercity Passenger Rail Service

February 19, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — For the first time ever, states will be directly eligible for federal funding to support intercity passenger rail service under a new grant program, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters said. “We want to encourage and support the kind of state investments that are making a difference for passenger rail services,” Peters said, noting that between 1996 and 2006, ridership on state-supported intercity routes grew by a robust 88 percent, vastly outpacing the 17 percent increase on all other routes combined. Peters explained that the $30 million capital grant program is designed to support state efforts to

California High-Speed Rail Authority to Study Zero Greenhouse Gas Emission

February 10, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California High-Speed Rail Authority Board has authorized a study to determine the feasibility of achieving zero greenhouse gas emissions for the power needs of the 700-mile electric high-speed train system. The study, timed to be completed by June of this year, will focus on costs, potential location of facilities and partnerships with utilities for on-site production of clean energy sources. “The proposed route of the system intersects with many of the state’s best location for wind, solar and geothermal facilities,” said Quentin Kopp, chairman of the Authority. “High-speed trains will help California meet the goals set

CTA: Ridership Increases in Nine of the Past 10 Years

February 8, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — Combined bus and rail ridership increased by 4.7 million rides in 2007, a gain of 1 percent over 2006 ridership, for a total of 499.5 million rides. It is the highest ridership level since 1992. CTA has gained 60 million annual rides since the lowest year of 1997. Weekend ridership showed the strongest rate of growth throughout the year. Saturday ridership in 2007 increased by 1.1 percent over last year and Sunday/Holiday ridership increased by 1.9 percent. The CTA’s bus system posted particularly strong gains. The bus system provided 309.3 million rides, an increase of 10.8 million rides

Amtrak Locomotive, MARC Train Collide

February 7, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — An Amtrak locomotive collided with a MARC commuter train Feb. 7 at Union Station, leaving seven people injured. The rear wheels of the MARC train derailed after the Amtrak locomotive crashed into it from behind. Seven people received minor injuries, officials said. Passenger were disembarking the MARC train, which arrived at Union Station from Baltimore, at the time of the collision. The Associated Press quoted Amtrak spokeswoman Karina Romero as saying the Amtrak locomotive was going to transport the MARC train to a maintenance center. However, the Amtrak locomotive was traveling too fast at the time of the

President’s Spending Plan Recommends $1.62 Billion for Transit Construction, Including New Projects in Nine Cities Across the U.S.

February 6, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — President Bush has recommended a $1.62 billion funding package for Fiscal Year 2009 that includes new projects in nine cities across the nation. This New Starts amount is part of a total public transportation budget proposal of $10.1 billion, a 6.8 percent increase over Fiscal Year 2008. “Well planned, cost-effective transit is crucial to relieving congestion, protecting the environment and reducing dependence on foreign oil,” said Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters. The budget proposes $200 million in funding for nine new projects in the “Small Starts” program, and four existing small starts projects. The spending plan also recommends

Feds Give ARC Tunnel Rating Boost

February 6, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has boosted its rating for the Access to the Region’s Core (ARC) Tunnel project to “medium high,” improving the project’s rating and positioning for federal funding. In its New Starts ratings report dated Feb. 5, the FTA noted that the ARC Tunnel project has “put together an experienced design team and performed thorough analysis of project requirements.” The report also indicated that a final Record of Decision to advance the project is expected this year. “This rating recognizes ARC nationally as a critical transportation project and demonstrates why it is important to

Japanese Bullet Train Returns to San Francisco

February 3, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

SAN FRANCISCO — Californians are showing increasing interest and support for high-speed trains in advance of a November ballot measure, proponents of high-speed rail say. On Feb. 1, officials held a seminar in San Francisco to discuss “Shinkansen,” Japan’s High-Speed Train System. Retired San Mateo Superior Court Judge Quentin Kopp offered opening remarks to a crowd of public officials, policy makers and California resident about the economic and environmental benefits of high-speed trains. “The sincerity and commitment expressed here today, reflects the strong bonds between our countries,” Kopp said. “This is a critical year for high-speed rail in California, and