News Archive (September 12 through September 18)

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 16

• Canadian National Stays on Track (Business Week)
  CN's Gulf operations escaped hurricane; CEO sees big boost from reconstruction.
• Nickels rejects latest monorail plan (Seattle Times)
  Seattle Mayor wants monorail project on November 8 to let public decide its fate.
• Railroad says corn removal is right on track (Daily Inter Lake)
  Million-dollar grain cleanup intended to prevent bear fatalities after an August derailment.
• Cost of rail cars through the roof (Minot Daily News)
  Fuel prices, Hurricane Katrina, and crop sizes raise grain shipping costs.
• Rail Freight Traffic Up from Year Ago (AAR)
  US freight traffic maintains record levels despite Hurricane Katrina, with volume up 6.3%.
• Train derails in Victorville (Daily Press)
  Eight cars from a BNSF train derailed around 2:30am Thursday.
• In reversal, Amtrak says it will serve Bucks County station (AP)
  Amtrak to maintain regional service at Cornwells Heights station outside Philadelphia.
• Downeaster fares are headed up (AP)
  With national fare hikes postponed, Amtrak to raise Boston-Portland fares next week.
• San Jose/Campbell light rail line to open in two weeks (Mercury News)
  New light rail line from San Jose to Campbell will open October 1.

Thursday, September 15

• Amtrak postponing its planned fare increases (AP)
  Fare hikes of up to 60% have been postponed beyond next week.
• Rail cars pose hazards: No leaks so far, but data still sketchy (The Advocate)
  Department of Environmental Quality concerned about railcars hit by hurricane.
• Back on track? (Mobile Register)
  Rail operations in the Mobile vicinity are mostly back on track.
• CSX Updates Storm Impact on Gulf Coast (CSX)
  Railroad says it is effectively rerouting traffic; estimates storm damage at $250 million.
• Acela Service To Expand Monday (NBC)
  Amtrak restores hourly Acela Express service south of New York, four trips to Boston.
• Train collision kills worker (Houston Chronicle)
  Two Union Pacific trains collided north of Houston on Wednesday.
• Four dead, 24 injured in Algerian train derailment (Reuters)
  Algerian commuter train derails Thursday morning due to excessive speed.
• Motorist killed, 14 cars jump tracks (London Free Press)
  Truck crashes into Canadian Pacific freight train in foggy conditions.
• New NJ Transit rail car earns a sitting ovation (Asbury Park Press)
  New Jersey commuters pleased as NJ Transit unveils first of 231 bi-level rail cars.
• Tough times lead McCloud Railway to downsize (Mt Shasta News)
  Economic factors lead to end of steam engines on the Shasta Sunset Dinner Train.
• State will help finance Altoona rail spur (Des Moines Register)
  Mile-long tracks will be used to export Iowa meat to Asia.
• BNSF charged with giving less service, charging more (Farm & Ranch Guide)
  North Dakota officials and agriculture industry leaders urge BNSF to improve service.
• Union Pacific Railroad Helps With Katrina Recovery (UP)
  UP transports recovery supplies, assists employees, and matches employee donations.

Wednesday, September 14

• Norfolk Southern Restores Rail Service to New Orleans (NS)
  NS repairs 5.8-mile bridge and operates first train into New Orleans since storm.
• Commuters rethink lifestyles, jobs, as Amtrak increases prices (Baltimore Sun)
  Commuters frustrated as monthly fares rise nearly 60% with only two weeks notice.
• Kansas City Southern Settles Tax Dispute With Mexico (Bloomberg)
  KCS acquires remaining stake in its Mexican rail unit; stock rises 14 percent.
• Fast track eyed for subway PAs (New York Daily News)
  NYC MTA chairman wants to accelerate plans for public address systems in stations.
• North Side light rail plans raise concerns (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
  Pittsburgh city planning commission concerned with proposed stations on North Shore.
• Scenic Maryland railroad packs thrills for steam fans (AP)
  Western Maryland Scenic Railroad faces state funding cut.
• Genesee & Wyoming Inc. Reports Traffic for August 2005 (GWI)
  Shortline and regional rail operator reports 21.8% North American traffic gain in August.
• Vandals halt local Amtrak train, disrupt service (Times Herald)
  Amtrak forced to suspend Chicago to Port Huron route due to debris placed on tracks.
• Locomotive derailment causes diesel fuel spill (North Platte Telegraph)
  Two locomotives derailed in Bailey Yard, spilling 2000 gallons of diesel fuel.
• Fuel costs rise; MBTA fares will not (Daily Free Press)
  Boston transit agency says higher fuel prices will not lead to higher fares.
• County To Consider Railroad’s Rerouting (Daily News Record)
  Proposal would reroute 3.1 miles of Norfolk Southern track out of Harrisonburg, VA.

Tuesday, September 13

• Amtrak Mum on Fare Hike, Criticized for Targeting Commuters (Times Union)
  Monthly pass fare increase of more than 50% draws criticism in Northeast.
• KCS, TFM, GTFM, and Grupo TMM Reach Settlement Agreement (KCS)
  Settlement resolves disputes between Kansas City Southern and Mexican government.
• CN Rail restores direct service to New Orleans (Reuters)
  Canadian National restores service and does not expect significant financial impact.
• $15.2 Million Amtrak Station Redux Proposed (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
  Milwaukee station project could be a catalyst for local development.
• Million Dollar Investment Expands Bulk Terminal In Pittsburgh (NS)
  Pittsburgh bulk transfer facility receives more than a million dollars in upgrades.
• New state audit questions monorail board's practices (Seattle Times)
  State audit highlights the Seattle Monorail Project's tight financial situation.
• RailAmerica Reports August Carloads (RRA)
  Shortline operator's August carloads increase 2.5% over last year.
• Two tankers, flat car derail in Reno County (AP)
  No liquefied petroleum gas leaked when two tankers derailed in Hutchinson, Kansas.
• BNSF Railway Showcases New Technology for Cleaner Air Quality (BNSF)
  Los Angeles demonstration included hybrid switch engines and natural gas locomotives.
• Union Pacific Hosts Presentation on Clean-Air Technology (UP)
  UP hosted a presentation at California State Railroad Museum on clean-air technologies.

Monday, September 12

• Amtrak, Nagin Argue Over Rescue Train (NewsMax)
  New Orleans mayor denies that Amtrak offered to evacuate residents.
• Rail line to Tibet is a marvel, but China is mum (New York Times)
  $3.1 billion line to Tibet travels 16,640 feet high in cars pressurized like jet planes.
• Amtrak Works to Restore Service to Louisiana and Mississippi (Amtrak)
  Amtrak updates status of City of New Orleans, Crescent, and Sunset Limited routes.
• Amtrak to raise fares, end service in Bucks County (Philadelphia Inquirer)
  Monthly passes on the Northeast Corridor will increase as much as 59% effective Sept. 20. Philly to NYC pass increases from $633 to $1,008.
• More Acela Trains Now In Service (AP)
  Amtrak begins 12 Acela Express weekday roundtrips between NYC and Washington.
• When will commuter rail arrive? (Houston Chronicle)
  Metro CEO says first of three Houston commuter rail lines may be built by 2012.
• Train derailment clogs Pawnee; No one injured (AP)
  Five cars of a BNSF freight train derailed in Pawnee Oklahoma on Monday morning.
• Amtrak's Downeaster hits million rider mark (Foster's Online)
  One-millionth passenger rides Amtrak's Boston-Portland route that began in Dec 2001.
• Louisiana requests info on rail cars in area (EPA)
  Louisiana Dept. of Environmental Quality asks 17 railroads for railcar assessment.
• Flaws found in concrete coating at BNSF fuel depot (AP)
  Additional problem surfaces at controversial refueling depot in Hauser, Idaho.
• CN and machinists’ union sign five-year collective agreement (CN)
  Agreement with IAMAW covers 215 CN employees in the US.
• FEC Railroad depot provided 'charming entryway to Boca' (Boca Raton News)
  Station built to bring tourists to Boca Resort saved by state donation and gift.
• Union Pacific Again Named A Top Company For Working Mothers (UP)
  Working Mother magazine named UP one of nation’s 100 Best for Working Mothers.