Hotline #85 - May 7, 1999

The Federal Railroad Administration last week rejected a plan submitted to it by New Jersey Transit to run diesel light-rail cars on a Conrail line between Trenton and Camden. The FRA noted that the plan calls for running light-rail and freight trains on the line at the same time, but that light-rail vehicles are not as crashworthy as mainline commuter and Amtrak cars. The FRA has asked that the state submit a new plan that is safer, such as one that runs light-rail and freight traffic at different times of day, such as is currently done in Baltimore and San Diego. That may be a challenge, since CSX, which will take over the line soon from Conrail, hopes to increase freight traffic.

A refrigerated RoadRailer on the eastbound Three Rivers had a frame failure near Fostoria, O., on April 16, according to Traffic World magazine. It is one of eight such RoadRailers owned by ExpressTrak to carry perishables on Amtrak trains. Officials from the manufacturer and from Amtrak are investigating. Preliminary information suggests the RoadRailer was loaded at less than half its capacity. The other refrigerated trailers have been taken out of service. They have different frames than non-refrigerated RoadRailers.

With Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge cutting the ribbon, Amtrak opened a new Reservation Sales Call Center April 29 in Northeast Philadelphia. Amtrak got some state grant money for locating in that neighborhood. Amtrak plans to add 100 jobs to the existing 475 jobs there.

The State of North Carolina and Norfolk Southern signed an agreement April 29 on use of the state-owned North Carolina Railroad. Amtrak uses this track between Selma, Raleigh, Greensboro, and Charlotte. Rather than negotiating another 100-year lease, as was done with Norfolk Southern's predecessor Southern Railway in the 1890's, Norfolk Southern gets trackage rights instead. This will allow the state to add passenger train service more easily. The agreement was delayed several years by private shareholders who controlled 25% of the stock. They are now being bought out by the state.

Governor Ryan of Illinois has sent to the legislature a state infrastructure bill that includes $150 million for railroad grade crossings and $100 million for preparation work for high-speed rail.

The New York City Planning Commission overwhelmingly authorized the city on May 3 to acquire several properties allowing the controversial elevated light-rail project from Kennedy Airport to Jamaica station to proceed. Many commissioners spoke against the project and urged the Port Authority -- the agency that owns the airports and that will build and control the new rail line -- to reconsider its plans. The New York City Council could vote on it as early as next week. There is growing opinion -- including on the part of the Committee for Better Transit -- that the city would be better off with a one-seat ride on trains using the Long Island Rail Road to reach Penn Station or Grand Central in Manhattan. But it may be too late to stop the Port Authority with its plan for a $5 light-rail ride that requires an inconvenient transfer at Jamaica.

In the wake of the VIA Rail derailment in southwest Ontario that killed two crewmembers April 23, the Canadian Transport Ministry has ordered the Canadian National to do something about unsignaled corridor segments where VIA passenger trains operate. CN then announced it would install Centralized Traffic Control (CTC), on the Windsor-London and Hamilton-Niagara Falls lines to be complete next year. VIA and CN have asked the government to allow current speeds to remain in force while the project is being completed.

The Denver Regional Transportation District and BRW, Inc., are close to agreement on a contract for preliminary engineering and environmental work for a proposed Central Platte Valley Spur light-rail line. The line would split from the existing Central line under the Colfax Ave. viaduct, curve through and area of attractions including Mile High Stadium, the Pepsi Center, and the Six Flags Elitch's amusement park, and terminate on the track side of Denver Union Terminal. It is expected to open in about two years, by which time the Central line will have been extended south to Littleton.