Amtrak Posts Gulf Coast Grant Application for Public Viewing
The musical headline What a Difference a Day Makes could apply to this story. On Thursday, Dec. 22, we reported that our efforts to learn about the specific provisions of the grant
Amtrak Gulf Coast Service
Commentary
Mystery-Shrouded Peace Treaty for The Second Battle of Mobile (UPDATED Dec. 23)
I called it the “Second Battle of Mobile.” Railway Age covered it extensively. It was the slugfest at the Surface Transportation Board (STB) between Amtrak on one side and CSX, NS and
Agreement Reached in Amtrak Gulf Coast Dispute (UPDATED With Additional Commentary)
Slightly more than one week before the final hearing scheduled before the Surface Transportation Board (STB) concerning proposed Amtrak service between New Orleans and Mobile, the parties apparently have settled their differences.
Commentary
Amtrak’s Gulf Coast Service Will Impose Sizable Costs on Freight Railroads
Armed with $66 billion in federal funds from 2021’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Amtrak has begun making plans to increase service across the country. Unfortunately, many of the markets it wants
Time Out: Preparing for Round 9
The battle over Amtrak’s proposal to run two daily round trips between Mobile and New Orleans is far from over. It is about to heat up again after a two-month lull, but the STB announced on July 11 that the relative calm (at least as far as the public will notice) will last a little longer.
Commentary
STB Calls ‘Time Out’ in Mobile Slugfest. What’s Next?
Many have been waiting for the ongoing battle at the Surface Transportation Board (STB) between Amtrak on one side and CSX, Norfolk Southern and the Port of Mobile on the other (Docket No. FD-36496) to resume on Monday, June 13. The issue was how much infrastructure would have to be built before Amtrak can run two daily round trips between New Orleans and Mobile.
Gulf Coast Battle, Rounds 7-8
The slugfest between Amtrak on one side and CSX, NS, and the Port of Mobile on the other, has been long. It has lasted for ten full days plus an afternoon so far, and reached its originally scheduled conclusion on Thursday, May 11. That was the half-day, following the morning appearance of Chair Martin J. Oberman and other members of the Surface Transportation Board (STB) before the House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee.
Round 6: The Port Raises a Statutory Issue
At this writing, Amtrak is preparing to present its case to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) disputing the amount of new infrastructure that potential host railroads CSX and Norfolk Southern claim must
Round 5: A Skirmish Over a Model
The “Second Battle of Mobile” is in full swing. Prospective host railroads CSX and Norfolk Southern, along with the Port of Mobile, are in a hearted dispute with Amtrak at the Surface Transportation Board (STB) about how much infrastructure must be built between New Orleans and Mobile before Amtrak will be allowed to run two daily round trips between those cities.
Round 4: A Battle Within a Battle
The battle between Amtrak and potential host railroads CSX and NS, joined by the Port of Mobile, entered a new stage April 4, as the first witnesses began their appearances before the Surface Transportation Board (STB) in the first case that will decide how and on what conditions Amtrak will be allowed to initiate new passenger service. The entire afternoon and the start of proceedings on April 5 featured a single witness. There was only one more during that day’s 8½-hour session, and only one other on April 6. April 5’s morning’s events featured a skirmish within the principal battle: a mini-slug-out in which both sides can claim victory, but CSX may have been the bigger winner.