Commuter Rail – Page 55 – Railfanning.org

Washington Metro: Two Red Line Trains Collide, Fatalities Reported

June 22, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — 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 authorities, one train rear-ended the other. The operator who was killed in the crash was on the trailing train. “We are extremely saddened that there are fatalities as a result of this accident, which has touched our Metro family. We hope to have more details about the casualties later today. Our safety officials are investigating, and will continue to investigate until we determine why

LaHood Announces Guidelines for Receiving Economic Recovery Funds for High-Speed Rail

June 17, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Department of Transportation moved another step closer to realizing President Obama’s vision for high-speed rail in America today, publishing guidelines for states and regions to apply for federal funds as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. “The time has finally come for the United States to get serious about building a national network of high-speed rail corridors we can all be proud of,” Secretary Ray LaHood said. “High-speed rail can reduce traffic congestion and link up with light rail, subways and buses to make travel more convenient and our communities more livable.” The historic commitment

Biden, LaHood Meet with Governors on Future of U.S. High-Speed Rail

June 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Vice President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood challenged governors to think boldly when designing high-speed rail plans during a roundtable discussion at the White House. The session was a unique opportunity for state leaders to share their ideas with the Obama Administration about the future of high-speed trains in America.In April, President Obama released a strategic plan outlining his vision for high-speed rail. The plan identifies $13 billion in federal funds — $8 billion in the Recovery Act and $5 billion requested in the President’s budget — to jump-start a potential world-class passenger rail system and

NTSB Investigating MBTA Trolley Collision

May 9, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

BOSTON — The National Transportation Safety Board has launched a go-team to investigate the collision of two trolleys on Boston’s MBTA Green Line. At approximately 7:19 pm on Friday, May 8, a trolley struck another trolley from behind near the Government Center station in downtown Boston. Multiple injuries have been reported.

MTA Budget Deficit Grows by $621 Million

April 30, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) re-forecast its annual revenues, projecting a $621 million deficit for 2009 even after approved fare/toll increases and service cuts are implemented. The growing deficit is due to the continuing decline in the real estate and dedicated taxes that support the MTA, all of which are economically sensitive. In addition, increasing unemployment and higher fares led the MTA to predict a 7.2 percent drop in usage of its facilities in 2009. The re-forecast identified the following specific changes from the revenues assumed in the budget passed by the MTA Board in December 2008:

Obama Calls U.S. High Speed Passenger Trains

April 16, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama, Vice President Biden and Transportation Secretary LaHood, announced a new U.S. push “to transform travel in America, creating high-speed rail lines from city to city, reducing dependence on cars and planes and spurring economic development.” The President released a strategic plan outlining his vision for high speed rail in America. The plan identifies $8 billion provided in the ARRA and $1 billion a year for five years requested in the federal budget as a down payment to jump-start a potential world-class passenger rail system and sets the direction of transportation policy for the future. The

FRA Awards Intercity Capital Grant for Planning of Midwest Rail Corridors

April 7, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded a $297,000 grant to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative (MWRRI) to continue rail corridor planning, which may lead to the development of several high-speed rail corridors. MWRRI is a 3,000-mile system providing improved intercity passenger rail service that serves nine states with a combined population of 60 million people, using Chicago as a regional hub. The MWRRI member states will match the $297,000 grant. The project includes an alternative routes analysis; system cost updates; equipment, train control and operational plans; and the preparation of public outreach

Getting America to Ride the High-Speed Rails

April 7, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The romance of riding the rails may be returning to America thanks to new federal funding and a public hungry for ways to save time, money, the environment, and add a measure of convenience in their hectic lives. According to a new study commissioned by HNTB Corporation, more than half of Americans (54 percent) would choose modern high-speed trains over automobile (33 percent) and air travel (13 percent) if fares and travel time were about the same. “Our country needs high-speed rail as part of a balanced transportation system,” said Peter Gertler, chair of the firm’s

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