Combining Planning, Funding and Regulation from governments at local, state and National levels
A new “section” at Rails & Ports starting tonight offers a focus on news regarding government action affecting railroading. See the tabbed area at the bottom of the home page.
Bill Not Likely To Become Law, But Does Declare A Priority For Biden Infrastructure Focus.
Representative Seth Moulton (MA-06) introduced the American High-Speed Rail Act on March 11, which calls for investing $205 billion federal dollars into high-speed rail spread over 5 years ($41 billion a year). Representatives Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), and Mike Doyle (PA-18) joined Moulton as original sponsors of the bill. Moulton is introducing the bill to influence the upcoming […]
Does Delayed New Orleans-Mobile Service Suggest Problems With Passenger Trains After CSX Takes Over Pan-Am?
After 5 years of discussions, Amtrak asked the Surface Transportation Board to Intervene with CSX and Norfolk Southern to force revived New Orleans – Mobile service to proceed. A 2017 letter to the Federal Railroad Administration from the Southern Rail Commission says that the actions of CSX “demonstrate what can only be understood as an […]
What is required for railroads to merge.
While railroads have been “deregulated” since the Staggers Act of 1980, mild government oversight does remain to protect public and shipper interests, overseen by the Surface Transportation Board (successor to the hated Interstate Commerce Commission that existed until 1996). Railroads are required to submit mergers for STB review. Any transaction is expected to demonstrate public […]
Letter to Pan-Am Employees From Cyndi Scarano, Pan-Am Executive Vice President
Dear Employees: Last night, CSX filed its application with the Surface Transportation Board for authority to acquire Pan Am. CSXT is pursing a minor transaction which, if permitted, would establish a timeline of approximately six months for STB review. This is a necessary Governmental part of the process. While we will not be in control […]
THE VRS TEAM STEPPED UP THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO KEEP THE REGION'S FREIGHT MOVING, SERVE CUSTOMERS, AND MAKE THE MOST OF ITS OWN OPPORTUNITIES.
“It’s been the most dynamic year in New England railroading in 30 years,” says VRS President Selden Houghton. Nobody who has been reading ANRP should have any problem agreeing with that sentiment, but VRS’s team of dedicated rail professionals knows it better than anyone else: VRS has been tied to most of the year’s tumultuous […]
FIRST CAR ARRIVES 28.DECEMBER
A second home depot distribution center in South Windsor Connecticut on the “Armory Branch” has been under construction for some months and two spur tracks constructed, one inside the building. The first car (a single boxcar) was brought Monday December 28th by Connecticut Southern Railroad. The $50-million, 421,000-square-foot, 46 acre facility is the second in […]
Final Work Expected Finished In a Year
09.December, Montpelier VT – Vermont Agency of Transportation Rail & Aviation Director Dan Delabruere updated the Vermont Rail Council on the extension of Amtrak’s Ethan Allen route to Burlington. The project remains on schedule and the train is expected to begin early in 2022. “We had some CoVid delays, contractor issues, but not that bad. […]
09.December, Montpelier VT – At a meeting with the Vermont Rail Council, Vermont Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn emphasized the state’s commitment to Amtrak service, despite the current CoVid suspension. Flynn reflected on the seriousness of the virus and the rapidity of its spread as justification for the suspension and as an indication that the train […]
PREVIOUS PLANS ADJUSTED BASED ON PUBLIC INPUT AND PERSISTENT LOW RIDERSHIP. CHANGES ARE IN EFFECT FOR FY2021 ONLY. FY2022 PROSPECTS WILL BE EVALUATED THIS COMING SPRING.
14.December, Boston MA {MBTA Press Release, lightly edited} – Today the MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) approved a series of revised short-term service changes for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) that incorporate recent public input and additional analysis of ridership. These service changes help match service levels with current and near-term low ridership demand […]