Railroad Union, Lawmakers Decry Camp Cars
Jan 03, 2008
The people who maintain railroad tracks often do their job in isolated parts of the country. But Norfolk Southern, one of the nation's biggest railroads, still houses some workers in so-called "camp cars," or converted sleeper cars, instead of motels. The worker's union has condemned living conditions, and Congress is also considering a ban. Listen to the story on NPR.. Read more...
Japan confirms world's fastest maglev plan
Jan 01, 2008
Japanese rail operator Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Central) has announced it will build the world's fastest maglev system, with 310mph (500km/h) vehicles running along a 180-mile (290km) track between Tokyo and central Japan. According to Reuters, the 5.1 trillion yen ($44.7bn) project will be completed by 2025, and while JR Central has not confirmed the final destination, previous reports suggested a "first phase" between Tokyo and the central industrial city of Nagoya, with a later extension to Osaka. Read More... Read more...
First Natural Gas Locomotive Put into Operation
Dec 17, 2007
After completing experimental stages and having obtained the necessary authorization, Ferrocarril Central Andino (FCCA), the consortium operating a railway in Peru linking the port of Callao with Huancayo and Cerro de Pasco, put a locomotive running on compressed natural gas into operation. At the presentation of the converted locomotive, Olachea gave details on the company's plans to modernize the railway company. Read More... Read more...
Feds deny railroad's request to sell Michigan lines
Dec 11, 2007
The Surface Transportation Board denied a proposal by Norfolk Southern and Kansas short-line operator Watco Cos. Inc. to form a joint venture that would operate nearly 300 miles of Michigan track. "Because of all the time we spent addressing the concerns (of affected parties), the decision today is a disappointment," Norfolk Southern spokesman Rudy Husband said. Read More... Read more...
Plans to Fix U.S. Rail Could End Road & Sky Gridlock
Dec 05, 2007
This months' Popular Mechanics Magazine has an in depth article on the possible future of consumer rail travel. It's been a long held belief of many railroaders that Maglev trains are too expensive and energy thirsty to be practical though perhaps the article and video will change a few minds. Click here to read it. Read more...
London Underground to get half mile LED Video Display
Dec 03, 2007
London is poised to light up a half-kilometer-long LED display in the tunnel between Heathrow and Paddington Station. Manufactured by Canadian firm SideTrack, the simulated video system -- which is composed of 360 individual LED bars synchronized to train speeds -- will replace a static version already installed along the same Heathrow Express route. Read More... Read more...
Florida to Pay CSX $491 Million for Commuter Rail
Nov 30, 2007
Florida will pay CSX Transportation Inc. nearly half a billion dollars for a commuter rail in central Florida, officials said Thursday. About a third of the $491 million will fund 61 miles of CSX track in the Orlando area. The rest will be used to help the Jacksonville-based CSX expand its freight lines and operations. Read More... Read more...
French Trains 'Hit by Sabotage'
Nov 21, 2007
France's high-speed TGV rail network has been damaged by a "concerted campaign of sabotage", the SNCF state-owned rail operator has said. It said acts of sabotage overnight, including fires, caused huge delays to TGV services already hit by a long transport union strike over reforms. Read More... Read more...
