More than 300 people rode Amtrak’s Gulf Coast Inspection Train (pictured) from New Orleans to Jacksonville, Fla., in February 2016, as part of an ongoing effort to restore passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast, which was disrupted by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and never resumed. (Marc Glucksman, Amtrak)

Gulf Coast: Class I’s, Port Seek Mediation. Amtrak Says ‘No’

Surface Transportation Board-sponsored mediation is the best means “to facilitate a prompt and orderly commencement of Gulf Coast passenger service while protecting the customers and shipping partners that rely on quality freight rail service,” according to Norfolk Southern (NS), CSX, and the Alabama State Port Authority and its Terminal Railway Alabama State Docks division (collectively, the Port). While Amtrak opposes their recent joint motion for mediation, all parties agree that an “amicable resolution” may be possible.

Two Years After COVID: Amtrak Lags, VIA Rail Hopes

Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada took major hits in the two years since COVID-19 pushed much of the world into lockdown mode. Today, Amtrak’s service recovery has stalled, while VIA Rail is looking forward to something of a comeback under difficult circumstances later this spring; a comeback that has already begun in part.

Amtrak President and CEO Stephen J. Gardner (right) recognized CP President and CEO Keith Creel with an award for earning an “A” on the Amtrak 2021 Host Railroad Report Card, which ranks Class I railroads for keeping its trains on time. The two are pictured at Amtrak Chicago Union Station.

Amtrak Issues 2021 Host Railroad Report Card

Amtrak has issued a 2021 Host Railroad Report Card, ranking the Class I railroads for keeping Amtrak intercity passenger trains on time, and presented an award to Canadian Pacific (CP) for earning its sixth-consecutive “A” grade.

Amtrak’s new Alstom-built Acela II trainset, seen here testing on the Northeast Corridor, is expected to enter revenue service later this year. (Gary Pancavage)

Moving Forward—At Restricted Speed

RAILWAY AGE MARCH 2022 ISSUE: U.S. high-speed rail is a mixed bag, with some projects more likely to succeed than others.

“Through the leadership of [FRA] Administrator Bose, strong partnerships with state and local leaders in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and our productive relationship with Canadian Pacific, we are moving the addition of Amtrak service between the Twin Cities, Milwaukee and Chicago to the forefront of our growth efforts,” said Amtrak President and CEO Stephen Gardner (pictured), during a March 9 announcement at the La Crosse (Wis.) Amtrak Depot.

Wisconsin, Minnesota Advancing TCMC Intercity Passenger Rail Project

The Wisconsin and Minnesota departments of transportation are moving ahead on the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago (TCMC) Intercity Passenger Rail Project following receipt of a $31.8 million federal grant.

STB Reauthorization: ‘If It isn’t Broke, Don’t Fix It’?

Railroad stakeholders on March 8 shared their views on the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) role in regulating the freight railroad industry as well as its reauthorization during a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. Testifying were representatives from the American Chemistry Council, Amtrak, Association of American Railroads, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, National Industrial Transportation League, and Private Railcar Food and Beverage Association.

According to Tri-Rail Executive Director Steven L. Abrams, two of the problems that have delayed access to the city of Miami may be solved soon, and Tri-Rail and Brightline are working on the other.

Will Tri-Rail Reach Downtown Miami in 2022?

On Feb. 1, Railway Age reported that Steven L. Abrams resigned as Executive Director of Tri-Rail, South Florida’s regional passenger railroad, because of problems with long-delayed access to Brightline’s downtown MiamiCentral station. A month later, Abrams is still on the job, and it appears that things are looking up.

Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 188 derailed at Frankford Junction in Philadelphia on the Northeast Corridor, shortly after 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. (Accident scene image courtesy of NTSB)

Report: Former Amtrak Engineer Found ‘Not Guilty’ in 2015 Derailment

Ex-Amtrak engineer Brandon Bostian was acquitted on March 4 of all charges related to the May 12, 2015 derailment of Northeast Regional Train 188 in Philadelphia that killed eight and injured more than 200.

Commentary

Labor Talks: A Headache But Never a Bore

WATCHING WASHINGTON, RAILWAY AGE MARCH 2022 ISSUE: “The farmer and the cowman should be friends,” wrote Rodgers and Hammerstein for the 1943 musical, Oklahoma! In 1967, Aretha Franklin recorded R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Five gets you 10 that neither friendship nor respect exist at the bargaining table where rail management and labor have been negotiating contract amendments since January 2020.

Amtrak-CN Case Moves Forward at STB

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has issued a procedural schedule for Amtrak and CN to submit further evidence and arguments in their dispute over establishing reasonable terms and compensation for Amtrak to use the Class I railroad’s facilities and services.

LOAD MORE