News Archive (September 5 through September 11)

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.

Friday, September 9

• Major Fare Increase Expected For Amtrak Riders (CBS)
  Cost of monthly passes on the Northeast Corridor may rise up to 50%.
• Rising Fuel Costs Lead to Amtrak Fare Increase (Amtrak)
  Amtrak will raise most fares 5% to 7% effective September 20. Additionally, nearly all Northeast service will become all-reserved, including Empire and Keystone routes.
• China to input US$240 billion on passenger railway (Xinhua)
  Railway officials outline 15-year development plan, including 300km/hr express trains.
• In Spite of Katrina, Rail Traffic Up for Week, Month (AAR)
  Freight volume rose last week, despite impact from Hurricane Katrina.
• Fire Evacuates New York's Penn Station (AP)
  An equipment room fire halted Amtrak and commuter rail service Thursday night.
• The grain train drain (Missoula Independent)
  BNSF hires bear management resource and installs electric fence following grain spill.
• Get back aboard urban trains, developers urge (Salt Lake Tribune)
  Builders say bureaucrats derail attempts to create transit-centered housing.
• Amtrak Adds Another Train on Saturday to Penn Station (AP)
  Amtrak will add a second NYC-Boston round-trip as equipment is returned to service.
• Weather getting Amtrak on track (Times Union)
  Completed CSX track work improves on-time performance in New York state.
• RailAmerica Selected to Acquire Four Railroads from Alcoa (RRA)
  Shortline operator will acquire four railroads serving Alcoa facilities.
• Spill lawsuit a waste of time, lawyer says (Globe and Mail)
  Lawyer says CN has accepted liability for damages at an Alberta lake.
• Rail board meets for first time (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
  Advisory group to set spending priorities for Virginia's first-ever dedicated rail fund.
• Rail extension next for Rochelle (Rockford Register Star)
  Rochelle Illinois extends its railroad nearly two miles to encourage economic development.
• Line Could Link North, South Sides (Southwest News-Herald)
  Chicago considers 22-mile "Mid-City Transitway" along existing tracks.
• High Gas Prices Drive People To Buses, Trains (AP)
  SEPTA, Philadelphia's transit agency, sees ridership increases due to high gas prices.
• MBTA set for new fare system (Boston Globe)
  Boston plans to install automated fare collection in subway.
• Residents want city to keep trains quiet (Pilot-Tribune & Enterprise)
  Residents in Blair Nebraska seek "quiet zone" to ban train whistles in town.
• Steam locomotive to make Salem stop (Statesman Journal)
  UP Challenger 3985, the world's largest steam locomotive, visits Salem, OR.
  For more info: Challenger tour schedule and map

Thursday, September 8

• CSX has resumed 'limited service' (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
  Limited service restored on one-third of a 148-mile line east of New Orleans.
• B'klyn subway scare (New York Daily News)
  Subway derailment in Brooklyn forces 62 passengers to evacuate onto tracks.
• Subway System Not Prepared For Emergency  (NY1)
  New York City lacks basic public-address systems at 131 subway stations.
• Amtrak chief urges rail use (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
  Citing cost of gas, David Gunn says railroads offer alternative but need more funding.
• Highways to Hell (Hartford Advocate)
  Highway bill includes $24 billion for pork barrel projects, while Amtrak fights for funding.
• Adviser: Monorail could shed $4 billion (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
  Former transit board member's plan includes issuing bonds, cutting interest payments.
• If no monorail, why not a streetcar? (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
  Councilman proposes alternative to costly Seattle monorail project.
• Burns asks railroad to suspend fuel surcharges (AP)
  Senator asks BNSF to suspend fuel surcharges in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
• Spruced-up Depot to host trains again (News-Record)
  Amtrak will begin using Greensboro's Douglas Galyon Depot after 26-year absence.
• Metrolink 'shield' denied (LA Daily News)
  Judge rules push-mode safety on LA commuter railroad is "issue that has to be heard."
• Historic train visits Dunsmuir (Siskiyou Daily News)
  UP Challenger 3985, the world's largest steam locomotive, visits Dunsmuir, CA.
  For more info: Challenger tour schedule and map

Wednesday, September 7

• Striking Northwest employees picket at Toledo rail yard (AP)
  Northwest Airline Mechanics picket at CSX yard; service restored midday Wednesday.
• Amtrak: Improve rail service (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
  Amtrak chief David Gunn says improved rail service is critical in age of high fuel prices.
• Commuter rail link with Providence gets new look (The Westerly Sun)
  Proposal would link Providence and Westerly with commuter rail.
• Franklin Ave. Shuttle Derailment Disrupts Service In Brooklyn (NY1)
  Subway derailment interrupts Wednesday evening rush in New York.
• Driver's errors caused derailment in Japan (UPI)
  Investigation finds April crash was caused by driver's operational errors.
• Light rail's construction moves to fast track today (Arizona Republic)
  Construction of 20-mile Phoenix-Tempe-Mesa light rail impacts residents and businesses.
• NJ Transit To Remove Kick Plates From Doors (AP)
  Transit agency to remove kick plates due to risk of electric shock.
• Derailment Stalls Metrolink Service (LA Times)
  BNSF freight derailment cancels Tuesday morning commuter rail in Los Angeles.
• Wabtec Awarded $8 Million Contract to Overhaul Commuter Locomotives
  Wabtec will overhaul seven locomotives for Metro-North Commuter Railroad in NY.
• Norfolk Southern Train Delivers Hazardous Materials Safety Message
  Special train will visit five northeastern cities to deliver community awareness message.
• Norfolk Southern Supports Hurricane Recovery Efforts
  NS provides $1 million for community recovery efforts and matches employee donations.

Tuesday, September 6

• Port of New Orleans open, but in need of fuel (MarketWatch)
  Idled river traffic means shipping steel imports by rail or truck.
• Historic trolleys return to Philadelphia (Philadelphia Inquirer)
  PCC trolleys returned to regular service this weekend on SEPTA's Route 15 route.
• Pacific Surfliner picking up steam (San Luis Obispo Tribune)
  Amtrak's San Luis Obispo - Los Angeles - San Diego corridor continues to gain riders.
• Amtrak Petitioned To Raise Spans (The Day)
  Connecticut residents and boaters ask Amtrak to raise bridges when replaced.
• South Shore railroad could soon see change (AP)
  Northwest Indiana commuter rail line seeks to speed station boardings
• Amtrak Downeaster Expects Million-Passenger Milestone (AP)
  Boston to Portland route expects one-millionth passenger since its launch in 2001.
• SEPTA Union Hints Of Possible Strike (AP)
  Philadelphia transit workers may strike over slow talks since contract expiration.
• Port OKs $500,000 to study monorail (Oakland Tribune)
  Funds keep alive proposal to link BART station and Oakland Airport.
• Railroad to open bids on 187 miles of track rebuilding (AP)
  Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad will rebuild 187 miles of track.
• Indonesia To Build Trans-Sumatra Railway (Indonesia Relief)
  Railway will span 2,151 kilometers across eastern coast of Sumatra Islands.