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And while I understand how fascinating the operations may be of the TLM, let's give some credit to the TLM crew. It's not as if the TLM is working all by itself. Kudos to the crew for their swift and efficient work!

Siemens held a press event this week to showcase the progress of the new Brightline trains. http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2016/06/10/brightline-florida-passenger-train-rail-cars/85651126/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; While they were there, photographer...

There's less coal, less oil and less grain moving on the rails this year. Lower freight revenues also mean lower capital spending, less track work, fewer slow orders. BNSF is finishing some track improvement projects started last year, but not starting many new ones. Their 2016 capital spending plan...

So here we are less than a week from the Memorial Day weekend start to the peak summer season with not a new diner or sleeper to be seen.

Then, when they do show up, there will need to be testing, training, commissioning, hiring. No meaningful revenue realized in FY2016. Another year lost.

Amtrak's Adriondack takes 10.5 hours to travel the 381 rail miles, losing a full hour at the border per the schedule. The Adriondack usually consists of 6 cars, one of which is a food service car. So this train's capacity is approximately 360. 360 + 6900 = 7260 360 / 7260 = 0.049 or 4.9% 6900 / 726...

Now that Vermont has money to extend the Ethan Allen to Burlington, http://www.timesunion.com/tuplus-local/article/Amtrak-service-from-Albany-to-extend-to-7412724.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is it possible that we may soon have three daily trains between Montreal (me...

The Albany, NY, and Springfield, MA, stations are being substantially upgraded. What these mini-hubs need is more trains. Oh, isn't this where we came in? Yes, more trains, more stops, more equipment. What's different now from when this thread started is that we now have a profitable core to build ...

Before there can be network growth, Amtrak will need to have more rail cars, more personnel, and more locomotives, all of which will require more money. Both rolling stock and personnel need hubs to operate from. Amtrak already has a few hubs; New York, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, Oakland, and Sea...

Multi-state agencies have had "not too much of a go" Cascades has already been mentioned. While Washington State is the big player, Oregon is contributing both money and rolling stock. The Heartland Flyer is supported by both Oklahoma and Texas. And don't forget your local Hiawathas, 75% ...

Unfortunately the Japanese had not designed to FRA requirements before and will probably never do for at least another 50-75 years, so the intangible knowledge will be lost again. I think that era is now behind us. I would anticipate a very healthy market for U.S. orders going forward. Heavy rail c...

This is kind of a bipolar article, if you will. I don't mean that in a derogatory fashion. The article covers both the planned Brightline service, as well as serving as a trip report for the Meteor. FloridaPolitics.com From the article: Our 12:26 p.m. train was late, a chronic problem with Amtrak. ...

There was another source of success in December, and that was in on-time performance. Here's how end-point on-time performance compared with December 2014. Amtrak systemwide 83.2%, up from 76.3% Acela Express 88.2%, up from 79.5% Lynchburg trains 90.3%, up from 82.3% Keystone 91.6%, up from 91.0% Pe...

A review of announced capital spending plans for 2016: BNSF: $4.3 billion, down $1.5 billion from $5.8 billion last year. This includes $500 million for expansion projects, notably a new bridge and second track over the Pecos River and double track near Ft. Sumner, NM. Most of the expansion projects...

A late resolution to Illinois support of Amtrak service. http://www.sj-r.com/article/20160205/NEWS/160209696" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Amtrak service in Illinois -- including Lincoln Service trains through Springfield -- will remain at existing levels through an agreem...

Piedmont cab ride showing track realignment and a new bridge under construction. http://trn.trains.com/photos-videos/videos/2015/12/piedmont-cab-ride-video" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Article in FEB trains. Wow! Amazing to see such extensive railroad engineering underw...