Amtrak names two to senior operations posts
BART explores express, split/merge service
BART officials have begun reviewing system operations with a eye toward offering both express services and split/merge operations, where a train is divided or joined en route to or from two different terminal points.
Downtown PATH service resumes
U.S. maintains mixed freight traffic picture
The Association of American Railroads Wednesday reported mixed U.S. weekly rail traffic results for the week ending Nov. 17, 2012. U.S. freight carload traffic declined 4.3% measured against the comparable week in 2011, while U.S. intermodal volume added to its 2012 winning streak, up 2.4%.
Kenosha, Wis., mulls heritage streetcar extension
Kenosha, Wis., is pondering expanding its heritage streetcar line, and has included $10.2 million for the proposal in a two-year capital improvement plan. But concerns about traffic congestion have surfaced, challenging the expansion effort.
Mudslides mess with BNSF in Seattle area
BNSF rights-of-way in northwest Washington State have been affected by as many as 15 mudslides, triggered by heavy rain this week in the Pacific Northwest.
Sandy helps drive truck tonnage down
Hurricane Sandy was partly responsible for driving intercity truck tonnage down an estimated 3.8% in October. after a decline of 0.4% in September.
California HSR bests latest legal challenge
In what is almost assuredly just one of a continuing wave of legal moves to terminate, block or otherwise alter California’s plan to implement high speed rail, a judge has denied a request to block work filed by farming interests in the Central Valley.
Sumitomo lands Midwest/Calif. HrSR order
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and federal officials on Monday announced that Sumitomo Corp. of America has been awarded a $352 million contract from California’s Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for 130 railcars destined for higher-speed rail (HrSR) use in the U.S. Midwest and in California.
AAR to STB: Consider nat gas competition for coal rate cases
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) said Monday it has petitioned the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to initiate a rulemaking that would propose re-introducing indirect competition— specifically product and geographic competition for fuel used to generate power— as a factor to be considered in determining if the STB has jurisdiction to hear rate cases involving the transportation of coal to coal-fired power plants.