The U.S. Senate has voted 67-32 to consider a nearly $1 trillion national infrastructure package, following a compromise by President Joe Biden and a bipartisan group of senators on key provisions, including $39 billion for public transit and $66 billion for passenger and freight rail.
Caroline Decker, former Amtrak Vice President for the Northeast Corridor, has joined WSP USA as Vice President of Federal Affairs. Decker succeeds Cathy Connor, who retired in June after 32 years with WSP.
The Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority (PNRRA) has signed a Joint Planning Agreement with Amtrak for proposed operation of new intercity service between Scranton, Pa., and New York Penn Station, using the long-dormant, State of New Jersey- and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania-owned Lackawanna Cut-Off. The service is one of the new routes in Amtrak’s 2035 system plan.
Three noted Amtrak industrial designers, past and present — Ralph Dolinger, Blair Slaughter and Cesar Vergara — describe the history of locomotive and passenger car liveries in this video produced for the company’s 50th anniversary.
Having worked into Washington D.C. Union Station from the South my entire Amtrak career as a locomotive engineer, I’m excited yet apprehensive about the acquisition of dual-power and battery-hybrid motive power and integrated trainsets from Siemens Mobility, because it’s going to require the type of commitment to maintenance and service that’s historically been haphazard at Amtrak, at best.
Amtrak on July 8 said it will renew its request that the Surface Transportation Board (STB) intervene on its behalf if CSX and Norfolk Southern (NS) don’t cooperate on hosting new passenger service between New Orleans and Mobile.
Amtrak has awarded Siemens Mobility $3.4 billion in contracts to design, manufacture and provide technical support services and maintenance for 83 trainsets of two power configurations, with options for up to 130 additional trainsets. For Siemens, it is the company’s largest North American contract in history. For Amtrak, its total investment, with a long-term parts supply and service agreement, facility modifications and upgrades, and contingencies, is $7.3 billion. Deliveries are slated to commence in 2024.
A glimpse of actual progress teased the passenger rail industry July 6 when the Canadian government unveiled previously obscure details of its long-running High Frequency Rail (HFR) program.
HDR has promoted Santanu Roy to Global Transportation Planning Director. In addition, Quandel Consultants has named Randy Grauberger Senior Rail Consultant.
Passenger rail along the Fort Collins-Pueblo Front Range will move ahead, thanks to Colorado Gov. Jarid Polis, who has signed a bill creating a new taxing district to coordinate it, according to The Denver Post.
