News Archive (October 17 through October 23)

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, October 21

• Rail Intermodal Sets Weekly Record (AAR)
  U.S. intermodal traffic rises 8% from last year, sets weekly record.
• Two trains on same track collide in Wood County (Toledo Blade)
  Low-impact head-on crash near Toledo Ohio leaves 1 injured, derails rail cars.
  More info and photos: Two Trains Crash Head-On (WTOL)
• Subway Service Back To Normal After Fire At Manhattan Station (NY1)
  New York City subways shutdown for hours following Friday morning fire.
• Rail ban could increase danger (Las Vegas Sun)
  Expert says urban hazmat bans could increase risk by shifting traffic patterns.
• Communities in Canada and US to experience magic of CPR's Holiday Train
  Canadian Pacific's Holiday Train will visit more than 100 communities, raising money and food for local food banks and hosting a variety of performances.
• Amtrak Ends Private Cars; Princeton's '200 Club' to Ride Local (Bloomberg)
  Private car from Princeton to NYC ends as NJ Transit replaces Amtrak's Clocker service.
• Hurricane Wilma - Florida Service Disruptions (Amtrak)
  Amtrak's Auto Train and Silver Service routes cancelled through Monday.
• Railroad agrees to improve safety conditions (AP)
  Federal Railroad Administration signs agreement with Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern RR.
• BNSF Details Fuel-Surcharge Plan For Coal, Agricultural Products (BNSF)
  Mileage-based fuel surcharge program will take effect January 1.
• Fare Cuts for Holidays Are Called Into Question (NY Times)
  Fiscal analysts criticize MTA plan for New York City transit discounts.
• CPR supports federal government investment in Pacific Gateway (CP)
  CP says Canadian government announcement builds upon railway's expansion program.
• CN supports the federal government’s Pacific Gateway Strategy (CN)
  Canadian National is pleased government plan recognizes port of Prince Rupert.
• Collisions can be devastating for train crews (Cochrane Times)
  Train crews see hundreds of "near misses" and fear potential collisions.
• Train carrying dangerous chemicals derails (AP)
  No leaks discovered after Canadian Pacific derailment in Fort Edward NY rail yard.
• DRPA to help repair rail line (Philadelphia Inquirer)
  Delaware River Port Authority to help rehabilitate Southern Railroad of New Jersey.

Thursday, October 20

• Amtrak Ridership of 25.4M Marks Third Straight Year of Record Increases
  Increase comes despite 5-month Acela Express disruption and hurricane cancellations.
• Railroads Have 30 Days to Improve Switches (AP)
  FRA order requires new training and documentation for manual switches.
• 25 Years Later, Staggers Act Continues to Benefit Railroads (AAR)
  Railroad productivity has tripled since 1980 legislation removed government regulation.
• Workin' on the railroad (Journal-Standard)
  Boy Scout project restores track on the Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad.
• GWI Operations in Mexico Impacted by Hurricane Stan (GWR)
  Genesee & Wyoming's Mexican subsidiary damaged by hurricane.
• Metra riders could pay 5% more next year (Chicago Sun-Times)
  Fare increases intended to cover rising fuel and security costs.
• Third case settled before trial in 2002 Minot derailment (AP)
  First three lawsuits from Canadian Pacific derailment settled out of court.

Tuesday, October 18

• NTSB investigates train derailment (Texarkana Gazette)
  Federal investigators seek answers in Texarkana tank car explosion.
• CN reports record third-quarter earnings (CN)
  Canadian National earnings per share rise 24%; operating ratio improves to 63.3%.
• Canadian National Losing Steam (Motley Fool)
  Revenues grew only 6% in the recent quarter, mostly from rate increases.
• Union Pacific Locomotive Hails Bush Father (AP)
  Locomotive #4141, painted to resemble Air Force One, honors former President Bush.
• SEPTA union: We had a deal (Philadelphia Daily News)
  Opinion: Union says Philadelphia transit agency should pay full healthcare costs.
• MTA stresses need for service expansion (The Advocate)
  New York agency needs funds to protect and expand subway and commuter service.
• Mass transit systems looking to cope with high fuel costs (AP)
  Service cuts, layoffs, and fare increases considered to meet rising diesel fuel prices.

Monday, October 17

• Hundreds working on the railroad (Texarkana Gazette)
  UP crews labor around the clock to repair derailment damage in Texarkana.
• Thousands flee after tanker train car explosion; one killed (AP)
  Union Pacific tank car derailment forces evacuations in Texarkana, Arkansas.
• Metra rail engineer attempts suicide (AP)
  Chicago commuter train engineer in last month's derailment attempts suicide.
• Rail security is already on borrowed time (News Journal)
  Opinion: Delaware congressman is on right track with rail security act.
• CN, CPR gravy train rolls along -- with caution (Globe and Mail)
  Analysts fear any slowdown in Asia's economy could cut into future profits.
• Valley rail passenger service: When and how much? (Morning Call)
  Lehigh Valley's growing population supports rail service to Philadelphia and NYC.
• Experts Dig Into Subway Project (Los Angeles Times)
  Mayor seeks subway expansion to ocean; study to examine underground methane gas.
• Plans for shorter monorail line announced (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
  10-mile route from West Seattle to Interbay would cost $3.9 billion.
• An attack on Amtrak (Boston Globe)
  Opinion: Bush appointees didn't consult states prior to spinoff vote.
• Abandoning Amtrak (North Jersey Media Group)
  Opinion: Congress must step forward to stop the Northeast Corridor spinoff plan.
• Record numbers ride Amtrak (Billings Gazette)
  Amtrak reported record ridership in the 2005 budget year ended last month.
• DM&E Service Suspended After Fire, Derailment (AP)
  Fire destroys a wooden bridge along the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern main line.
• Another settlement reported in Minot derailment lawsuit (AP)
  Widow settles with Canadian Pacific over 2002 wrongful death lawsuit.