North Carolina is home to two Class I railroads and 24 short line railroads.

NCDOT Report Shows Rail’s Importance to Economy

North Carolina’s rail system contributes to more than $20 billion into the state’s economy and supports 88,000 jobs, according to a report released Feb. 26 by the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s (NCDOT) Rail Division.

Commentary

Amtrak L-D Fleet: Five Possible Contingencies

Editor‘s note: Jim Tilley recently wrote to Amtrak Board Chair Anthony Coscia regarding procurement of a new long-distance fleet. We reproduce this letter in its entirety and will likewise publish a response

New White Paper Explores Partnership to Complete Northwest Rail

The Polis Administration, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) and the Front Range Passenger Rail District (FRPRD) recently released a white paper that explores the possibility of a new partnership that would enable Colorado to complete the voter-approved Northwest Rail line between Denver, Boulder and Longmont, and to build the first phase of Front Rage Passenger Rail (FRPR) by extending service to Fort Collins. This rail service would use the existing BNSF Front Range Subdivision through Boulder, Longmont, Loveland and Fort Collins (FRPR Northwest Phase 1).

BART’s overall customer satisfaction rating in the most recent Passenger Experience Survey (PES) reached 81%, which is 7% higher than the previous quarter, according to the transit agency. (BART Photograph)

Transit Briefs: BART, Metro-North, VIA Rail, WMATA

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) reports rider satisfaction gains. Also, MTA Metro-North Railroad completes its third station-accessibility project in 2024; VIA Rail Canada calls on Ottawa to replace its long-distance fleet; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) increases police patrols on trains and buses.

(New Hampshire Preservation Alliance Photograph)

Preservation News: ‘Flying Yankee’ Up for Sale, Michigan Central Station Reopening

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) is reviewing bids for the Flying Yankee, the diesel-electric streamliner built in late 1934 by the Budd Company for the Boston & Maine. Also, Detroit’s historic Michigan Central Station will reopen in June, following a five-plus-year restoration effort by the Ford Motor Company.

Commentary

FRA L-D Study Suggests Restored Routes

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), which is looking toward adding more routes to the nation’s skeletal long-distance passenger train network, revealed the proposed new routes, many of which either ran before Amtrak

Premium

Proposal for New Maine Passenger Trains

How do you save a freight rail line when it loses its primary shipper? Many cycling enthusiasts will tell you to rip up the tracks and turn it into a bike trail,

MARTA photo

Transit Briefs: MARTA, Minn. Met Council, Brightline/FEC, HRT, SEPTA, Sound Transit, TRE

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) contracts INIT to implement a new fare collection system in time for the FIFA World Cup. Also, Minnesota’s Metropolitan Council transit ridership grows 16%; Brightline and Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) horns will continue in Indian River as County Commission nixes quiet zones; Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) receives Direct Technical Assistance (DTA) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) receives $317 million for new Market-Frankford Line cars; Sound Transit’s new app is now available for download; and Trinity Rail Express (TRE) is now making stops at a new station in Fort Worth, Texas.

Commentary

Gulf Coast Grill on STB Barbecue (Updated with Full Transcript)

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) held another hearing Feb. 14 about the slow pace of getting two Amtrak Gulf Coast Service passenger trains in each direction running between New Orleans and Mobile.

Sound Transit photo

Transit Briefs: Sound Transit, Amtrak, CHSRA

Sound Transit’s Link 2 Line gets closer to opening on the Eastside. Also, Amtrak completes upgrades at Selma-Smithfield Union Depot; and the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) takes home a national honor for the award-winning student engagement “I Will Ride” program.

LOAD MORE