NJ Transit awards prep work contract for Portal Bridge Project

NJ Transit’s Board of Directors authorized a vote to enter into an early action contract with PKF-Mark III Inc., of Newtown, Pa., for preparatory construction ahead of the replacement of the Portal bridge, a key link in the Northeast Corridor rail route.

NEC Commission identifies needs of $38 billion

The Northeast Corridor Commission on May 3 submitted to Congress two reports detailing short-and-long-term capital investment needs totaling some $38 billion for the 457-mile electrified rail line linking Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C.

Flooding hits UP, Amtrak in Missouri

Recent heavy rains and flooding in Missouri is tying up rail access for Union Pacific and Amtrak.

Amtrak fast-tracks NY Penn Station renewal

Following a pair of derailments that made a mess of the busiest U.S. rail commuter hub, Amtrak today rolled out plans to speed upgrades of track, operations and safety at New York’s Pennsylvania Station.

Commentary

It’s not Starbucks, but it’s WAY better than Amtrak coffee

I appreciate a good cup of coffee, especially a cappuccino or espresso (please don’t say expresso, especially in a good Italian restaurant). That’s why I have refused to drink Amtrak coffee, which is like ingesting lube oil—until now.

Charger loco starting Caltrans revenue testing

Siemens said that the first SC-44 Charger diesel-electric passenger locomotives for the California Department of Transportation will begin revenue testing on the Sacramento-Oakland-San Jose Capitol Corridor before the end of April.

Keith Holt: From Amtrak to WSP | PB

Veteran railroad signal engineer Keith Holt has left Amtrak, where he was Deputy Chief Engineer, Communications and Signals, to become Director of Engineering for Railroad Systems at WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff.

After NYC mess, senators call for Amtrak funding

Three East Coast senators are highlighting the need for increased funding of Amtrak following two derailments at New York Penn Station.

Amtrak knew of track issues before NY Penn Station derailment

Amtrak knew of track problems before a New Jersey Transit commuter train derailed at New York’s Penn Station on Monday, April 3, turning the hub into a four-day quagmire of cancellations and delays for thousands of commuters.

NY Penn: Two derailments in two weeks

Two trains have derailed at low speed on the complex interlocking plant at Penn Station New York in the space of two weeks. On April 3, at approximately 9:00 a.m., inbound NJ Transit Northeast Corridor train no. 3926 derailed as it was entering Track 9. On March 24, also at 9:00 a.m., outbound Amtrak Acela Express no. 2151 derailed as it was departing Track 6, sideswiping an inbound NJ Transit train.

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