Brightline on Feb. 19 welcomed the Bright Orange 2 trainset to Orlando, Fla., following its 10-day journey from Siemens’ rolling stock facility in Sacramento, Calif.

Transit Briefs: Brightline, RTA, WMATA

The Bright Orange 2 trainset from Siemens Mobility arrives at Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad. Also, the Regional Transportation Authority of Northeastern Illinois (RTA) adopts a new strategic plan; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) selects Reflexions to update its website and fare-collection web applications.

Brightline on Feb. 11 reported via Twitter: “History in the making as Bright Orange 2 rolled out of the Siemens Rolling Stock facility in Sacramento - destination Florida!”

Transit Briefs: Brightline, CHSRA, USDOT OIG

A new Siemens Mobility trainset is heading to Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad. Also, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) is passed over for Multimodal Project Disciplinary Grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT); and a recent audit finds that USDOT oversight of Seattle’s transportation-funds management is insufficient.

(Shutterstock/ Monton Tiemrak)

25 UNDER 40

RAILWAY AGE, FEBRUARY 2023 ISSUE: Railway Age is proud to recognize 25 ‘Fast Trackers’ Under 40 in 2023.

New York MTA’s Metro-North Penn Station Access Project would bring MTA Metro-North commuter rail service to Penn Station and Manhattan’s west side, along Amtrak’s Hell Gate Line on the Northeast Corridor (artist’s rendering shown).

Transit Briefs: Brightline, NYMTA, OCTA, SacRT, SCVTA

Ahead of service to Orlando, train testing of up to 110 mph continues for Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad. Also, New York MTA’s Metro-North Penn Station Access Project faces delays; Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and Metrolink unveil track and station improvements in Anaheim, Calif.; Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) in California begins station modifications to accommodate new LRVs from Siemens Mobility; and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) offers limited-edition trading cards.

“We are constantly learning about the growing needs of our customer base and the [100%] renewal rates are a measurable indication that the positive internal changes are working,” said Chuck Ferry, CEO of Duos, an automated railcar inspection portal supplier. (Duos Photograph)

Supply Side: Duos; Ondas/Siemens/MxV Rail; Xpert Rail/Standard Rail

Duos Technologies achieves a 100% renewal rate of its recurring revenue contracts throughout 2022. Also, Ondas Networks lands a development order from Siemens Mobility on behalf of MxV Rail; and Canada’s Xpert Rail Consulting acquires Standard Rail Corporation’s Railcar Repair and Maintenance operations.

Railway Age’s 2023 ‘Fast Trackers’ 25 Under 40 Honorees

Railway Age is pleased to announce the 25 “Fast Trackers” selected for this year’s 25 Under 40 awards program.

Amtrak’s recent winter meltdown was not the first time the passenger railroad faced widespread delays during the holiday travel season. On Dec. 31, 2021, Train No. 8 was some nine hours late when it passed Hauser Jct., Idaho, where the temperature was only 10 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s mild compared with the sub-zero weather the Empire Builder routinely faces on the northern plains. (Photo and Caption by Bruce Kelly)
Commentary

What’s Triggering Empire Builder Service Setbacks?

Severe winter conditions were blamed for Amtrak suspending a number of its long-distance and regional trains across the nation’s Northern Tier and Midwest during the Christmas holiday week. Then came West Coast cancellations in the wake of heavy rains and flooding during the first week of January.

Amtrak Airo™ trainset with Coach/Cab Car. (Photograph Courtesy of Amtrak)

OIG Releases Audit Report on Amtrak Intercity Trainset Program

Amtrak experienced early challenges with stakeholder communications in its intercity trainset acquisition and maintenance facility modification work, leading to scope changes, cost increases and schedule delays, according to a new report from the Amtrak Office of Inspector General (OIG).

Amtrak Airo™ will debut in 2026 on the railroad's Cascade service.

First Look: Amtrak Airo™ (Updated Dec. 19)

Amtrak has released visuals of its upcoming new long-distance and corridor service single-level, semi-permanently-coupled push/pull trainsets—the Siemens Mobility-built Amtrak Airo™—which will replace aging Amtrak-owned Amfleet I equipment.

“Have you heard? Passenger rail is one step closer to returning to northeastern Ontario!” Ontario Northland wrote in a Dec. 15 Twitter post announcing the revival of Northlander service and the Province’s purchase of three Siemens Mobility trainsets to serve it. (Photograph Courtesy of Siemens Mobility)

Ontario Advances Northlander Service Revival

The Ontario government on Dec. 15 reported that it will spend C$139.5 million to purchase three Siemens Mobility Ltd. trainsets as part of its plan to reinstate Northlander passenger rail service between Toronto and Timmins by the mid-2020s.

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