Railfanning.org News Wire – Page 347

Workers Struck by MBTA Train, Two Killed

January 9, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WOBURN, Mass. — Two workers were killed Tuesday when a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter train struck a piece of track equipment. The train was heading from Lowell to Boston when it struck a “speed swing” near the commuter rail station in Woburn killing the workers. A dozen other people, including 10 passengers, were treated for injuries. The incident remains under investigation, officials said. A “speed swing” is used to lift railroad ties. The two workers were employed by the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Co.

Metrorail Service Back to Normal After Sunday Derailment

January 8, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Service on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) was back to normal today, a day after a six-car train derailed near the Mount Vernon Square station. The Mt. Vernon Square/7th St-Convention Center Metrorail station, which serves the Green and Yellow lines, was closed Sunday, Jan. 7, from 3:46 p.m. to midnight after a Green Line train derailed as it was pulling into the station. The fifth car (car number 5152) of the six-car Green Line train headed north toward Greenbelt derailed and struck a concrete wall in the tunnel as the train was entering the station. It

WMATA Train Derails, 20 People Injured

January 8, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Twenty people were injured yesterday following a derailment on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Service was disrupted for some time following the derailment near the Mount Vernon Square station. The train that derailed was six cars long. Although Mount Vernon Square station was open for Monday morning rush hour, authorities implemented speed restrictions for trains traveling through the area of the derailment. Of the 20 people injured, no one was reported to be in critical condition. The National Transportation Safety Board has been called in to investigate. In November, two WMATA workers were killed after they

Caltrain: The Future is Bright

January 7, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

SAN CARLOS, Calif. – Over the next two decades, Caltrain will makeover its whole railway, improving its tracks, bridges and terminals, and transitioning to an electric train system, according the to a Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, which recently released its 2006 progress report for Caltrain. “Bay Area residents can be proud that they have a world-class railroad in their back yard,” said Caltrain Board Chair and San Jose City Councilman Ken Yeager. “Our riders already appreciate the easy commute, and they are only going to see things get better.” The report provides a snapshot in time of the railroad’s

MBTA Looking to Buy New Equipment

January 7, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

BOSTON – Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is beginning the process of buying 38 new diesel electric passenger locomotives and 75 bi-level commuter rail coaches. In search of the most technologically advanced equipment, General Manager Daniel A. Grabauskas directed his staff to open up the competition to every available manufacturer worldwide, the railroad said. “We need to take advantage of new technology,” said MBTA General Manager Daniel A. Grabauskas. “A fuel efficient, dependable and environmentally friendly commuter rail vehicle is what our customers deserve and why we are encouraging manufacturers to competitively bid this work.” Presently, MBTA’s fleet consists of 410 coaches

Public Transportation Ridership up in 2006

January 7, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

Public transportation ridership has increased by nearly 3 percent in the first nine months of 2006, as Americans took 7.8 billion trips on public transit, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). “Even as gas prices declined, more and more people decided to ride public transportation as ridership grew by nearly 3 percent in the first nine months of 2006,” said APTA President William W. Millar. “This continued increase in transit ridership demonstrates that when people have transportation choices, they use them.” Light rail (streetcars, trolleys, heritage trolleys, and modern light rail) had the highest percentage of growth among

Man Struck and Killed by Train on Red Line Last Week Identified

January 7, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

SILVER SPRING, Md. – A man who was struck and killed by a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Red Line train last Friday has been identified as 21-year-old Edwin Rodriguez of Silver Spring. Rodriguez was reported missing to Montgomery County Police on Jan. 1. At 6:14 p.m. Dec. 29, Rodriguez, intentionally stepped in front of a six-car Metrorail train upon its arrival at the Glenmont Metrorail station, WMATA said. The investigation was conducted by Metro Transit Police and the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division. The Maryland State Medical Examiner’s Office will issue the final ruling regarding the death.

Metro Employee Barred from Operating Train or Bus

January 7, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The operator of a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) train that struck and killed two Metro track inspectors on Nov. 30 has been permanently barred from operating a train or bus. The decision comes after Metro’s preliminary investigation concluded that the operator did not exercise appropriate emergency braking procedures at the time of the incident. The workers were killed Nov. 30 after they were struck by a train near the Eisenhower Avenue Metro station in Alexandria, Va. The NTSB continues to investigate. In order to protect the safety interests of Metro employees and customers, Metro management

Parents Travel Free with Prospective College Students

January 7, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Prospective students checking out colleges and universities may take a parent along for free on Amtrak with a new buy-one-get-one-free program. Students traveling on this fare must have a valid student ID in order to qualify for this special offer. The Campus Visit discount program enables high school juniors and seniors to purchase a ticket on Amtrak at the best available fare and bring a parent or guardian along to campus visits for free. Younger siblings, ages 2-15, can travel for half price using Amtrak’s everyday children’s discount. To take advantage of the Campus Visit discount, students simply

Amtrak Names Roy Johanson Vice President of Planning & Analysis

January 7, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Amtrak today announced the appointment of Roy Johanson, as Vice President, Planning and Analysis, at the railroad’s corporate headquarters. Since 2005, Johanson has served as the Chief Executive Officer for Foresti Partners LLC, where he was involved in corporate strategy development for a variety of industrial and manufacturing clients. As the new Amtrak Vice President for Planning and Analysis, Johanson will assist Amtrak President & CEO Alex Kummant in developing the company’s strategic direction, evaluating alternative business decisions and updating the corporation’s annual Five-Year Strategic Plan. “We welcome the breadth of knowledge and experience that Jim brings to