Senate bill would allow Amtrak to sue freight railroads over right-of-way
Amtrak blames most of its delays on the freight companies that own the tracks. And while current law requires that Amtrak be given the right of way, the passenger carrier isn’t allowed to sue. A new bill sponsored by Illinois Senator Dick Durbin (D), is designed to change all that. [news-gazette.com]
Sonoma-Marin commuter train to begin service to new Larkspur, Novato stations in mid-December
With testing winding down, SMART plans to open a two mile exension to Larkspur by mid-December, enabling passengers to transfer to San Francisco-bound ferries. Launch of the extended service helps set the stage for an expanded schedule that SMART officials are branding “a game changer.” [northbaybusinessjournal.com]
MTA floods NYC subway entrance because ‘climate change is real’
Though it hadn’t rained in New York City last Thursday, a flooded subway entrance stopped Brooklyn commuters in their tracks. It turned out that the flooding was intentional; a test to make sure that a “flex gate” capable of holding back up to 14 feet of water would be up to the next superstorm challenge. [theverge.com]
Amtrak Cascades could get customs preclearance in Canada shaving at least 10 minutes off trip
With hopes of improving its Amtrak Cascades service from British Columbia, Amtrak has requested preclearance for its trains departing from Pacific Central Station in Vancouver. Preclearance could save up to 10 minutes or more per trip when crossing into the United States. [theurbanist.org]
VIA Rail’s high frequency link from Toronto to Quebec raises safety concerns
VIA Rail’s proposed new high frequency passenger rail link between Toronto and Québec City is igniting debate over whether advanced Positive Train Control (PTC) safety systems required in other countries should be mandated in Canada. [thestar.com]
Texas Central enters new agreement for high-speed rail project
Dallas-Houston high-speed developer Texas Central has signed an early works agreement for train system installation. Mass. Electric Construction Co. will install core system, signaling and communication equipment, and critical safety elements. The agreement is set to be signed later this year. [bizjournals.com]
Has the train left the station on Amtrak returning to Pensacola, Florida?
Officials aren’t full steam ahead on passenger rail service in Pensacola. But if a planned three-year pilot program for twice-daily Amtrak service from New Orleans to Mobile is successful, officials and rail advocates could begin a dialogue about expanding service to Pensacola and beyond. [pnj.com]
