News Archive (December 19 through December 25)

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/Saturday, December 23-24

• New York transit strike called off after 3 days (Reuters)
  NYC transit operations resume Thursday afternoon; contract agreement not yet reached.
• Tube strike talks break down (Reuters)
  London Underground and union fail to reach agreement; strike set for New Year's Eve.
• Metra Gets 'Urgent Safety Recommendation' (AP)
  NTSB urges Chicago commuter railroad to install automatic braking system.
• Via Rail, union reach deal to avert strike (CTV)
  Canada's national passenger rail network avoids December 24 strike.
• Liberals fire Pelletier from railway -- again (Globe and Mail)
  Canadian government fires Via Rail chairman Jean Pelletier.
• RailAmerica Completes Sale of San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad (RRA)
  Shortline operator sells the SLRG to Permian Basin Railways for $7.0 million.
• Intermodal Up, Carload Freight Down on U.S. Rails (AAR)
  US intermodal volume rises 2.8 percent in the week ended December 17.
• Dog Stuck to Railroad Tracks Is Rescued (AP)
  A dog frozen to the tracks in Wisconsin is rescued ten minutes before a train.
• California leads US in train deaths (Turlock Journal)
  Annual trespass fatalities in California total 86 in 2004.
• Rail link opens ski country route (Times Union)
  Saratoga County New York acquires rail line to serve North Creek Ski Bowl.
• Train speeds up: Get to D.C. 10 minutes faster (The Hook)
  Amtrak will begin using faster Norfolk Southern track near Charlottesville, VA.
• Florida East Coast Concludes Negotiations of All Eight Labor Agreements (FEC)
  FEC completes labor agreements ranging from three to five years.
• All Aboard! (Smart Money)
  Smart Money sees investment value and growth in CSX stock.
• Amtrak Repairs To Keep Rocks From Falling Onto Astoria (Queens Chronicle)
  Hell Gate Bridge construction will prevent debris from falling onto streets below.
• Train buff gets trip of a lifetime (The Star)
  The Rocky Mountaineer Christmas Train is a real Christmas treat for railfan Paul Potter.
• Railroad worker honored for saving teen (UPI)
  Norfolk Southern freight supervisor honored for rescuing suicidal teenager from tracks.

Wednesday/Thursday, December 21-22

• NYC to seek restraining order against strikers (CNN)
  Mayor Bloomberg says city will request temporary restraining order against union workers.
  For more information: MTA Strike Contingency Plan
• Commuters turn to PATH during strike (AP)
  NYC transit strike forces New Jersey commuters to seek alternatives.
• NTSB's final report blames engineer for 2003 derailment (AP)
  Distractions caused Metra commuter rail engineer to exceed speed limit.
• Bridge ruled out as cause of train wreck (Marietta Times)
  Cause of Monday morning CSX derailment in Marietta is unknown.
• Amtrak train hits two vehicles in separate incidents (AP)
  St. Louis to Chicago train hits car and truck in separate incidents on Wednesday.
• Grant County farmers say BNSF rail plan inadequate (AP)
  Farmers dissatisfied with limited shipping options to Tacoma and Seattle ports.
• Metra Engineer: 'Trains Don't Stop On A Dime' (CBS2)
  Chicago commuter train engineer speaks out about railroad crossing safety.
• Railway firms face passenger anger at 58-hour shutdown (The Times)
  Britain and Irish Republic are only countries in Europe to shut down railways for holiday.
• CSX vows to 'soften' effect of rail cars (Philadelphia Inquirer)
  City council and railroad officials debate Philadelphia park access along tracks.
• Trains will be rerouted outside Marysville in early 2006 (Marysville Advocate)
  Union Pacific reroutes tracks around Marysville, Kansas.

Monday/Tuesday, December 19-20

• Strike shuts NYC transit system (CNN)
  New York City transit union strikes Tuesday morning, shutting down subways and buses used by seven million riders daily.
• Train derails; bridge out at Marietta (Marietta Times)
  Eight CSX coal cars derail as bridge collapses in Marietta, Ohio.
• 2005 CPR Holiday Train wraps up very successful rolling fundraiser (CP)
  Canadian Pacific Holiday Train completes visits to more than 100 communities.
• Clang clang of trolley heard again in the city (AP)
  Historic trolley service restored in New Orleans.
• Rail idea on slow track to reality (Sun-Sentinel)
  Passenger service on Florida East Coast Railway may be 7 to 14 years away.
• 'Ride with Santa' fills railway museum (News-Times)
  Santa Special attracts young and old to the Danbury Railway Museum.
• Cars derail in Laramie train yard (Laramie Boomerang)
  Union Pacific derailment in Laramie yard causes no injuries or threat.
• Derailment not life threatening (Globe Gazette)
  IC&E derailment of a railcar with anhydrous ammonia poses no threat.