Author: William C. Vantuono

With Railway Age since 1992, William C. Vantuono has broadened and deepened the magazine's coverage of the technological revolution that is so swiftly changing the industry. He has also strengthened Railway Age’s leadership position in industry affairs with the conferences he conducts, among them Next-Generation Train Control, Light Rail, and Rail Insights. He is the author or co-author or editor of several books, among them All About Railroading; John Armstrong’s The Railroad: What It Is, What It Does; Railway Age’s Comprehensive Railroad Dictionary; and Planning, Engineering, and Operating Light Rail, With Applications in New Jersey.
  • News

Amtrak Spells Out Long-Distance Plans

Amtrak has released a paper in which it says it “is committed to operating a national rail network that serves customers across the United States,” including daily long-distance (L-D) services, provided certain conditions are met.

Rolling Processor Platforms

RAILWAY AGE, AUGUST 2020 ISSUE: Improvements in train handling, fuel efficiency and safety are all possible through the advanced microprocessor technology quickly becoming standard on locomotives.

Amtrak “Phase VI” Livery Gets a Fresh Application

Amtrak diesel-electric locomotives have worn many liveries over the years since the company was founded in 1971. The latest of these is a variation on the current “Phase VI” scheme that dates to 2002, to be worn by five of the first six ALC-42 Siemens Chargers that will replace the current P40 and P42 “Genesis” fleet on the National Network, including all long-distance and many state-sponsored routes. The sixth unit will be painted to recognize next year’s 50th anniversary of the inauguration of Amtrak service. Amtrak says “a final livery will be unveiled later as part of a fleet-wide plan.”

Report: Is KCS In Play?

Two private equity firms are considering a takeover bid for Kansas City Southern, according to a report based on information from anonymous sources in the Wall Street Journal posted late afternoon on July 31, just before the closing bell on Wall Street.

  • News

ZTR KickStart™: Longer Battery Life, More Reliable Starts

The coldest months of the year, typically November through March, may be a few months away, but as any experienced railroader will tell you, mid- to late-summer is the time to solidify winter preparedness measures—well before ice, snow and extreme low temperatures literally start freezing equipment. One of the most critical steps is assessing locomotive availability, in particular, one of the most vulnerable items: batteries.