News Archive (January 30 through February 5)

This page contains a railroad news archive for a single week. For all recent rail news, please see RailServe.com's RailNews Home Page.

Note: Some stories may no longer be available, or a fee may be required for full access.

Saturday/Sunday, February 4-5

• Global warming threatens Tibet rail link (Reuters)
  Chinese researcher says global warming could threaten China's new rail link to Tibet.
• North Dakota gets new railroad (Grand Forks Herald)
  Start-up Dakota Northern Railroad leases 82 miles of track from BNSF.
• Lahore bound Karakoram Express train derailed, passenger killed (PakTribune)
  Pakistan blames sabotage for second train crash in one week.
• More rails needed for commuter trains (Free Lance-Star)
  Virginia Railway Express service suffers from CSX freight congestion.
• Mudslide Cancels Amtrak And Sounder Service North From Seattle (AP)
  Another mudslide cancels Amtrak and commuter rail service north of Seattle.
• Second train in two weeks derails near Sprague (KXLY)
  BNSF derails second train in as many weeks in Washington state.
• Thieves Steal Railroad Tracks in Germany (AHN)
  Three miles of unused track stolen for scrap metal.
• Car worship is killing the US railroad. Is ours in danger, too? (The Observer)
  Opinion: British fear desertion of railways in favor of automobiles.

Thursday/Friday, February 2-3

• Landslide closes BNSF Railway for 10th time since Christmas (The Columbian)
  Incessant heavy rain causes landslide, halts Amtrak service between Portland and Seattle.
• CSX not ready to decide on moving Gulf Coast tracks (AP)
  CSX considers moving New Orleans to Mobile route further inland.
• Kansas City Southern's Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2005 Results Driven by Acquisitions, Sustained Revenue Growth, Hurricane Impacts (KCS)
  KCS reports fourth quarter loss, cites $12.8 million earnings reduction due to hurricanes.
• U.S. Rail Traffic Up in January (AAR)
  Intermodal and carload freight volumes rise 6.1% and 4.2%, respectively, over last year.
• Bush to offer some assistance for Amtrak (AP)
  Congressional aides say Bush will include Amtrak funding in budget proposal.
• 1 dead, 27 injured in Pakistani train derailment (Xinhua)
  Sabotage suspected in Pakistan's second derailment this week.
• Train ride draws fewer this year (Asbury Park Press)
  NJ business leaders, lobbyists, and politicians take chartered chamber train to DC.
• CP train carrying coal derails near Briscoe (Canadian Press)
  Canadian Pacific coal train derails in southeastern British Columbia.
• Train leaves track in Eastern Oregon (AP)
  Union Pacific derails eight cars, damages 400 feet of track.
• ACE set to raise fares, add service (The Record)
  California's Altamont Commuter Express to raise fares, add midday and weekend service.
• Environmentally friendly rail contributes less than 2% of emissions (AAR)
  Association of American Railroads comments on inaccuracies of recent pollution report.

Tuesday, January 31

• Canadian Pacific revenue growth propels earnings (CP)
  Earnings and revenue rise 45% and 14%, respectively, in fourth quarter.
• BLET, UTU campaign against one-man crews (Progressive Railroading)
  Railroad unions unite to form joint campaign against one-man train crews.
• RailAmerica 2006 earnings outlook disappoints (Reuters)
  Shortline rail operator forecasts earnings 20% below expectations; shares fall 15%.
• Governor says commuter rail on track despite glitches (Free New Mexican)
  First segment of New Mexico's commuter rail project to open this spring.
• MTA to test 'smart' fare cards in pilot program (AP)
  NYC subways to pilot key-chain RFID tags as replacement for magnetic fare cards.
• Light-Rail Plan May Be Back on Track in Irvine (Los Angeles Times)
  Irvine California considers 5.5-mile light rail route linking Great Park and Metrolink.
• Rail police cuts leaving public safety on the wrong track (Lowell Sun)
  Guilford Rail System lays off 60% of railroad police force this month.
• Florida East Coast Railway to Purchase New Locomotives (FEC)
  FEC to purchase four new SD70M-2 diesel locomotives from EMD.
• Railpower to take $23-28M provision in Q4 2005 (Canadian Press)
  Locomotive manufacturer to take charge due to battery problems with locomotives.

Monday, January 30

• Sabotage Caused Train Crash in Pakistan (Pakistan Times)
  Pakistan says sabotage caused Sunday's derailment that killed six, injured dozens.
• Mudslides halt Bellingham Amtrak service (AP)
  Amtrak and Sounder commuter rail again disrupted by mudslides north of Seattle.
• Downeaster a hit with its passengers (Concord Monitor)
  Amtrak's Boston to Portland route sees 18% ridership gain in 2005.
• Railroads under fire over capacity, pricing (Reuters)
  Demand has led to higher profits for US railroads, but shippers dissatisfied with service.
• Amtrak line reopens 30 hours after accident (AP)
  Damaged track in Washington state reopens following Empire Builder derailment.
• BNSF Railway investing in Lincoln's Hobson Yard (Lincoln Journal Star)
  BNSF to expand Lincoln yard and add 50 miles of track in Nebraska and Wyoming.
• CN and CSX Transportation Sign Haulage Agreement (CN/CSX)
  CN to haul CSX traffic to/from Sarnia, Ontario and connections in Buffalo and Toledo.
• Ready for the return of the rail? (Concord Monitor)
  New Hampshire seeks to extend Boston's MBTA commuter rail to capital city.
• CP Rail is the only company left standing of former conglomerate CP Ltd. (CP)
  Canadian Pacific Railway remains, after all four others have been transformed or acquired.
• For third year, more LIRR trains late (Newsday)
  Long Island Rail Road on-time performance falls slightly to 92.2% in 2005.