Limited service returning to stabilized SoCal track
Emergency track work in San Clemente, California, has stabilized coastal slope movement allowing weekend passenger-rail service to resume. Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner will resume weekend service on February 4th, while Metrolink trains will continue to operate on weekends as far as San Clemente Pier Station. The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) expects work to be completed by late March, when full service could be restored. Service was suspended in September.[progressiverailroading.com]
Long sought Rhode Island train station opens
After two decades, the Pawtucket-Central Falls Transit Center finally opened Monday morning. The train station, located on Pine Street, adds a stop to the MBTA Providence/Stoughton line, connecting the Blackstone Valley with Boston. The first train left shortly before 4:30 a.m. The station was originally set to open last summer, but the project was delayed due to labor and supply chain problems. Gov. Dan McKee joined other leaders at 9 a.m. for a ceremonial ride to the station from Providence. [wpri.com]
Amtrak starts overnight fleet replacement proces
After requesting information regarding replacement railcars for its overnight routes, Amtrak has received submissions from ten manufacturers. This marks the first formal step to completely reequipping Amtrak’s long-distance network. The new vehicles will be used to provide 14 overnight routes across the country including the Auto Train, California Zephr, Southwest Chief and Empire Builder. [railway-news.com]
NC passenger trains saw record ridership in ’22
North Carolina’s state-subsidized passenger trains had a record year in 2022. The Piedmont and Carolinian carried 522,550 people last year, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation. That eclipses the previous annual record of 481,491 in 2014. The numbers don’t include four long-distance Amtrak trains that make several stops as they pass through the state between New York and the Southeast. [aol.com]
Kansas City Streetcar extends hours of operation
The KC Streetcar has extended weeknight hours to midnight in response to an increase in ridership and downtown activity. The streetcar’s ridership has steadily increased and rebounded since the early months of the Covid pandemic in 2020. Since opening in May 2016, the streetcar has served more than 11.2 million passenger trips. Strong demand from the community supports the decision to extend hours. [rtands.com]
Houston METRO launches new light-rail vehicle
Harris County’s MTA (METRO) has launched the first of 14 new light-rail vehicles (LRVs) to be added to the Houston agency’s fleet over time. The new LRV entered service on the METRORail Red Line, which runs between the Northline Transit Center and Fannin South Station. Stops include downtown stations, Midtown, Museum District, Hermann Park/Houston Zoo, Texas Medical Center and NRG Park. The Siemens Mobility vehicles have wide aisles to accommodate wheelchairs, strollers and bicycles. [progressiverailroading.com]
