Search

Features With appointment of William J. Flynn as its third CEO in three years, Amtrak looks to move from two short-term agents of change to a leader charged with a long-term role in shaping the future of the passenger railroad. To succeed, Amtrak must be transformed into a strong, viable carrier like the Amtrak of Graham Claytor and the airlines of Carlson and Six. Two photos, Bob Johnston PHOTO (COLOR): Richard Anderson Associated Press PHOTO (COLOR): William J. Flynn Amtrak CEO PHOTO (COLOR): The eastbound Southwest Chief approaches Winslow, Ariz., on May 10, 2016. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the success of railroad company Great Northern Railway Co. under the tenure of railroad executive James J. Hill. It explores the realization of the ambition of Hill to develop a small carrier into a transcontinental railroad between Minnesota and the Pacific Coast using his own capital.

The article offers information on the business operation of Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and need for investments in the railroad firm. It mentions views of Jeff Knueppel, general manager at Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, on the passenger equipment, investments, and railroad safety of the operation.

The article discusses the history of commuter trains in the U.S. Topics discussed include origin of rail service in the early 19th century in urban areas, private railroads construction in the 20th century, development of rail services due to availability of government funding and shortage of energy, and role of firm Amtrak in development of railways.

The article focuses on the problems related to development of high speed rail systems in the U.S. with emphasis on Florida Department of Transportation's project to develop a high speed rail line from Tampa to Orlando International Airport. It is stated that government policies limiting annual funds for railroads development has led to bids only from foreign companies. The crash worthiness and train control standards to be imposed by the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration has been criticized.

The article explores the partnership between regional carrier Pan Am Railways and Norfolk Southern Railway Co. in Boston, Massachusetts. It notes that through the deal, Norfolk Southern Railway Co. was able to reconnect the railroad to the economy in Boston by the improvement of its access. It states that the company will spend more money into the terminals to enhance the existing facility of Pan Am Railways.

The article reports on the amount and effort which Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Co. spends for the maintenance of its rails. According to company's vice president Michael Mokodean, Wheeling puts about $10 million into its engineering budget each year to maintain its 680 miles of company-operated track. Information is given that Wheeling also took advantage of a $25 million Federal Railroad Administration loan in 2004 to make major upgrades to its busiest lines.

The article looks at some of the specific items that railroads spend money on in their capital investment programs. It discusses the implications of rising prices and declining availability of steel for the customers and end users of steel producers in North America including railroads. The delivered price of a locomotive unit is influenced by cab signals, fuel-saving devices and electronic air brakes, among others. The evolving engineering and design of green locomotives affect their cost.

Reports on the plans of the city of Chicago in Illinois to improve the condition of its railroads in June 2003. Increase in the daily number of freight cars traversing Chicago from 1998 to 2003; Factors which fueled the decision of Mayor Richard M. Daley to improve the city's railroads; Issues regarding the funding for the project.

The article reports on the plan of the Chicago Planning Group to fund the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) program that will keep trains moving through city, in September 2005. The goal would be to show immediate progress and direct benefits of CREATE projects and hopefully make it easier to wrangle funding to complete more of the program's initiatives.

The article focuses on the decision of the board of directors of Amtrak to separate the Northeast Corridor operations from its infrastructure in the U.S. Despite proposal by the Senate to reauthorize the funding for Amtrak, the company continued its secret voting to split its operations. Amtrak argues that the formation of a subsidiary is essential to identifying costs associated with the maintenance of the Corridor's decaying infrastructure. Representative Robert Menendez denounces the company's secret voting cited in a letter sent to board chairman David Laney. INSET: The Clockers stop...and other Amtrak timetable tales.

The article reports on the high railroad traffic in the Toronto-to-Vancouver journey route. The steps taken by Via Rail Canada, an independent Crown corporation to address the issue and the political aspects that affects the steps of the Via Rail Canada are mentioned. The finance and the cost aspect affecting the situation is also discussed.

The article reports on an announcement by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the federal government will cover 60 percent of the cost to build a new rail bypass around Lac-Mégantic, Quebec.

The article discusses the proposed passenger rail legislation Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act," or PRRIA of the U.S. It mentions that the legislation has been approved by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committees Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee. It mentions that the proposed legislation would limit funding for five years at little more than recently appropriated 1.5 billion dollars annual levels.

The article focuses on the delay of rehabilitation of the westbound Southwest Chief railroad train due to track maintenance and funding issues in the U.S. It is noted that to bridge the maintenance gap between what the Chief needs and what BNSF Railway is prepared to provide, financial assistance a total of 100 million dollars over 10 years is being seeked by officials in three states, acting on a 2012 request by Amtrak are seeking for to rehabilitate the route.

The article reports that over $15 billion will be spent by seven Class I railroads in North America including BNSF Railway, Union Pacific Railroad Co., and Canadian National Railway Co. to maintain and upgrade their networks. The railroad companies' upcoming plans were discussed at a convention held by the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association in Miami Beach, Florida in January 2013. Projects including bridge replacements, longer sidings, and switch replacements were noted.

The article reports on the formation of Advanced Tank Car Collaborative Research Program by representatives from every industry segment in Canada and the U.S. It mentions that these representatives include the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), American Chemistry Council, the Association of American Railroads, and the Railway Supply Institute. It notes that these groups will fund an anticipated annual budget from three million dollars to five million dollars.

The article outlines several railroads that need maintenance and repair. It includes the railroad at Chicago 75th Street in South Chicago wherein its construction is expected to begin in 2017. It adds the Kansas City Southern Neches River Bridge in Beaumont, Texas. It also includes the NEC Gunpowder and Bush River bridges in Northeast Maryland.

This article reports that the Amtrak Chicago Gateway Blue Ribbon Panel charged with making railroading work at Chicago, Illinois, has issued a report recommending the funding of a 1 billion-dollar corridor-improvement project and same-room coordinated dispatching. The members of the panel are mentioned, including Tom Carper, board member of railroad service Amtrak, former Surface Transportation Board Chairman Linda Morgan, and Howard Learner, president of Environmental Law and Policy Center.

This article discusses the need for an average of $1.66 billion worth of U.S. federal capital investment every year between 2008 and 2013 just to maintain the network and improve efficiency of railroads. Alex Kummant explained the need to members of the House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Railroad Subcommittee. The investments would be used for improvements such as replacing locomotives and passenger cars of Amtrak.

The article reports on the appointment of Mary Peters as U.S. Secretary of Transportation. It is claimed that her skill will only be wasted because she is working under U.S. President George W. Bush which is more interested in the politics and cut taxes than making an appropriation for transportation. At her Senate committee confirmation hearing, she has handled few Amtrak issues on improving its trains but she has failed to mention who would pay for the improvement.

Reports on the presentation of a priority-setting budget by David Gunn, president of railroad company Amtrak, beginning October 1, 2002. Background on the budget plan; Original budget allocation asked by Gunn's predecessor; Funds mandated by U.S. House Republicans on long-distance-train losses.

The author reflects on being asked by a shareholder with stock in North American railroads in 2015 on when will railroads reduce their capital expenditures and return more to their stockholders, and on witnessing a railroad traffic jam in southeastern Wisconsin.

The article reports on the proposal of Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner to cut funding for frequency or route reduction on four state-supported Amtrak railroad service.

The article reports on the plans of industrial holding firm Florida East Coast Industries Inc. to operate a high-speed rail service called All Aboard Florida from south Florida to the Orlando International Airport, highlighting the challenges that the project is facing including lack of funds.

The article announces that over S100 billion will be invested by the British government and the rail industry in Great Britain over the next 5 to 10 years. It notes that four major infrastructure projects including the electrification of over 1,000 miles of Network Rail Ltd. main lines by 2019, the addition of 10,000 new passenger cars through 2020, and more Highspeed 2 trains. It mentions that the British government is to continue its rail franchise system of selecting train operators.

The article reports on the grants worth 295 million dollars awarded by the U.S. Federal Ralroad Administration to U.S. states. Connecticut will be receiving 120 million dollars for the completion of the New Haven to Springfield, Massachusetts passenger corridor. Virginia has received 74.8 million dollars for the development of the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor. North Carolina has received 26.5 million dollars for the upgrade of the main line of CSX Corp.

The article focuses on the financial problems being faced by Amtrak Cascades, a passenger rail corridor operated by Amtrak between Vancouver, British Columbia and Eugene, Oregon. Oregon's investments have been less than 5% of Washington Department of Transport (DOT) contribution due to financial crises and limits on distribution of transportation funds. British Columbia's lack of initiative in maintaining tracks and handling other financial issues related to Amtrak Cascades is also discussed.

The article reports on the postponement of the eight billion dollars award in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act high speed rail funds by U.S. Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) administrator Joe Szabo. It mentions that the award was postponed after FRA received 259 applications from 34 states who sought a total of 57 billion dollars. It notes that the Preliminary National Rail Plan was released by the agency which include further outreach with the railroads, public, and the stakeholders.

The article reports on the outcome and funding of the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program (CREATE) in Illinois. The program, which was created in June 2003, aimed to reinvent a series of junctions to lessen the rail traffic the region. Six years after the creation, only five of the 78 component projects are complete due to fund constraint and political infightings. In addition, details of the funding and how they are spent are discussed.

The article focuses on the plan "Vision for High Speed Rail in America" announced by U.S. President Barack Obama, vice-president Joe Biden, and transportation secretary Ray LaHood. The plan calls for $8 billion to be allocated among 10 corridors, broken down into categories. They include conventional 79-90 mph routes, 90110 mph routes, 110-150 mph routes, and European-style 150 mph and faster routes that operate on their own rights-of-way.

The article offers news briefs on the U.S. railroad industry. The administration of President George W. Bush has allocated $900 million for the 2007 fiscal budget of Amtrak. A new tower is being built at Harpers Ferry in West Virginia which includes a new foundation and slate roof and restoration of the brick chimney. Amtrak has continued its upgrading initiatives on the Philadelphia-Harrisburg Keystone Corridor.

The article focuses on issues related to the desire of U.S. President George W. Bush's administration to eliminate the funding for railroad company Amtrak, in March 2006. Amtrak funding is a perennial topic of congressional debate. What many urban residents may not realize, is that while Congress and the President discuss the issue concerning the national passenger carrier, the outcome could also affect daily commutes. Commuter rail operations often rely on Amtrak to provide track, train dispatching, maintenance, and on-board personnel.

The article reports that the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TS) Commission will possibly run the C&TS following the announcement by Rio Grande Preservation Corp. in October 2005 that it would end operation of the C&TS after five years. Tim Tennant, executive director of the Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec, explained that Rio Grande pulled out because of lack of funding. Tennant assured that Friends will work with the Commission to ensure a successful 2006 season.

Reports on the funding received by the Pacific Railroad Preservation Association (PRPA) from the periodical "Trains." Reason behind the selection of the PRPA for the funding; Background on the PRPA; Previous recipients of funding from the periodical.

Reports on the reconstruction of the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad (WNY&P) to restore the line as a thorough route for coal traffic from Norfolk Southern. Funds that will be used to rebuild the segments of WNY&P; Sale of the route to a multi-county rail authority by Norfolk Southern.

Reports on the efforts of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to meet the shortfall in its fiscal year 2005 budget. Decision of the agency's board of directors to approve an increase in subsidy to absorb the deficit; Plan of the WMATA to open its Blue Line extension to Largo, Maryland; Cost of the New York Avenue-Florida Avenue-Gallaudet University station project.

Reports on the decision of the governments of Canada and Ontario, along with area municipalities to contribute funds for the expansion of Toronto's GO Transit system. Improvements to be made at the Toronto Union Station; Plan of GO Transit to lay an additional track along Lakeshore West and Lakeshore East; Intention of GO Transit to purchase locomotives to be delivered from 2006 to 2008.

Discusses the need to establish a national transportation policy in the U.S. Details on legislation proposals by the U.S. Congress concerning railroad spending; Advantages of a national transportation policy; Comments from U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta.