News Archive (March 13 through March 19)

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.

• Amtrak may restructure long-distance train routes (Reuters)
  Chairman says 15 long distance routes may be restructured under pressure to cut costs.
• What It Takes to Build a (21st Century) Railroad (Fortune)
  DM&E's Powder River Basin project faces challenges, opportunities.
• Harrisburg train runs may rise (Lancaster New Era)
  Corridor One commuter rail plan changes; advocates look to expanded Amtrak service.
• Few Riders, Much Vision in Connecticut Rail Plan (New York Times)
  Proponents say New Haven to Springfield commuter rail would spur economic growth.
• Rail tunnel plan advances (Times Herald-Record)
  Transportation council endorses NJ Transit's $6 billion Trans Hudson Express Tunnel.
• Amtrak looks to woo riders with upgrades (Wall Street Journal)
  New first class service aimed at boosting revenue on long distance routes.
• Norfolk Southern, other railroads will slow the hiring train (Virginian-Pilot)
  NS, BNSF, and UP say their rates of hiring will decrease in 2006.
• BNSF plans third rail through Cajon Pass (Victorville Daily Press)
  Addition of a third track will cost $50 million and is scheduled to complete in 2007.
• Railroads play coal catch-up (Star-Tribune)
  BNSF and Union Pacific continue maintenance and expansion in Powder River Basin.
• Coal dust on railways targeted (AP)
  National Coal Transportation Association studying ways to reduce coal dust on rail beds.
• Major Freight Railroads to Invest $8 Billion in Infrastructure in 2006 (AAR)
  Class Is will spend more than $8B in new track, equipment, and infrastructure.
• 2005 Safest Year in History for Rail Employees, Grade Crossings (AAR)
  Employee injury rate and grade crossing incident rate decline 12.7 and 4.2%, respectively.
• Union Pacific raises earnings outlook (MarketWatch)
  Railroad stocks rally following upbeat earnings expectations from Union Pacific.
• Subway plan resurfaces (The Enquirer)
  Cincinnati considers potential use of 80-year-old subway tunnels.
• ‘Brain trust’ formed to push rail project (Gwinnett Daily Post)
  Community leaders seek commuter rail service between Athens and Atlanta.
• Derailment closes Amtrak between Northern, Southern Calif (Mercury News)
  Union Pacific derailment impacts passenger and freight service Friday.
• Rain-soaked shoulder may have played part in derailment (American News)
  Misaligned track may have caused Wednesday's Canadian National derailment in Illinois.
• Rail sale boosts S.D. trains (Argus Leader)
  South Dakota's sale of 368 miles of track to BNSF has opened new rail access.
• Railpower hopes to deliver 90 to 100 hybrid locomotives in 2006 (CP)
  Canadian locomotive manufacturer targets 90-100 deliveries in 2006.
• Railpower reports 2005 results (RP)
  Hybrid locomotive manufacturer reports 2005 revenue of $21.5M, up from $1.2M.
• Genesee & Wyoming Inc. Reports Traffic for February 2006 (GWR)
  Regional and shortline rail operator's February carloadings rise 21% in North America.
• RailAmerica Reports February Carloads (RRA)
  Shortline operator's February carloadings decline 2.8%.
• World's first hybrid train ready to go (Japan Times)
  JR East to begin using hybrid battery and diesel locomotives in 2007.
• SEPTA expected to approve 104 new regional rail cars (Philadelphia Inquirer)
  Philadelphia transit agency purchases 104 commuter rail cars for delivery within four years.
• Transit is key to the Olympics, city is told (Philadelphia Inquirer)
  London Underground manager says a reliable transit system is key for an Olympic bid.
• New Plans For Penn Station (WJZ TV)
  Amtrak considers converting vacant Baltimore station space into 72 hotel rooms.
• KCS will restate, lower 2002 earnings (Kansas City Business Journal)
  Kansas City Southern will restate 2002 earnings to reflect $8 million tax error.