“You wave at us in underfunded and rarely advertised Amtrak cars. Really, what is going on here?…My answer? The deep cultural history of waving at trains is still with us.” https://www.thestranger.com/transportation/2023/05/26/79008815/why-do-people-wave-at-passing-trains #Amtrak #Waving #Trains

“After the Coast Guard requested they study an option with the same or more level of vertical clearance than the current bridge allows, the replacement program is now studying a lift span bridge [which] would be slightly higher than the current I-5 Bridge in order to go over the railroad line—as opposed to under like it does now—however, the amount of bridge lifts will likely stay the same, according to a report published by the replacement program.” https://www.columbian.com/news/2023/may/25/first-visualization-drawings-released-for-replacement-interstate-5-bridge/ #Railroad #IBR

“For Amtrak riders, canceled trains have become a familiar side effect of the extreme weather fueled by climate change. …The federally chartered passenger rail operator tallied more than 450 disruptions from climate shocks between 2006 and 2019, costing the company $127 million in revenue from 1.3 million lost customers. Last year, Amtrak projected that it would sustain another $220 million in climate-fueled losses over the coming decade.” https://www.route-fifty.com/infrastructure/2023/05/extreme-weather-disrupting-amtraks-trains-and-its-climate-benefits/386801/ #Amtrak #ClimateChange

AANW Hotline May 2023; How AANW Can Help; Greater Northwest Passenger Rail Summit; Train Treks; Building Multi-State Coalitions; AANW Connections So Far This Year; AANW’s Dan Bilka Quoted in Utah’s KSL and Deseret News; AANW and Coalition Releases Updated Greater Northwest Rail Policy Recommendations; AANW Participates in FRA’s Amtrak Long-Distance Service Study; Oregon Legislature Testimony https://allaboardnw.org/blog/aanw-hotline-may-2023/ #PeopleLiveHere #RailSummit23 #TrainTrek23

“The Minnesota Legislature
has approved a transportation measure that includes nearly $195 million in funding for the Northern Light Express passenger rail service from the Twin Cities to Duluth, Minn. If implemented, it would be the first passenger service to Duluth since Amtrak’s North Star was dropped in 1985. The 152-mile line is expected to cost about $779 million.” https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/minnesota-legislature-approves-funding-for-northern-lights-express-passenger-service/ #Minnesota #PassengerRail #NLX

“The possible commuter rail study comes as passenger rail advocates pushed for Utah to consider adding more rail service. Dan Bilka, the co-founder of the nonprofit rail advocacy organization All Aboard Northwest, told KSL.com last year that he believes trains could help improve the country's transportation infrastructure, providing more options than what's on the road or in the air.” https://www.deseret.com/utah/2023/5/21/23732416/utah-seeks-rail-service-salt-lake-city-boise-las-vegas #Utah #Rail #PassengerRail #SaltLake #Boise

“The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is seeking public comment on the final draft of "Wisconsin Rail Plan 2050," which establishes a long-term vision for freight- and passenger-rail travel in the state.” https://www.progressiverailroading.com/rail_industry_trends/news.aspx?id=69270 #Wisconsin #Rail #Freight #PassengerRail

Brainstorming expanded passenger rail service with elected officials, state DOT reps and economic development organizations in the Dakotas last week. #PassengerRail #NorthDakota #SouthDakota #GreaterNW #PeopleLiveHere

“To celebrate National Train Day this year, Tracy and other volunteers will fire up the Edwardian-era Polson No. 2 steam locomotive, built in 1912. It will slowly chug down the Springwater Corridor on a 45-minute round-trip journey with views of the Willamette River, providing a historic contrast to modern diesel trains.” https://www.opb.org/article/2023/05/12/polson-2-national-train-day-portland-rail-center/ #Rail #Steam #Train #TrainDay #PortlandOR

“Amtrak is preparing plans for new maintenance facilities in Seattle, Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C., and is providing advance notice of its procurement plans to allow companies time to prepare bids for those projects. The facilities will handle maintenance, repairs, inspections, and cleaning for new Acela, Airo, and long-distance equipment.” #Amtrak #PassengerRail #Acela #Airo #Seattle #Boston #NYC #washingtondc https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/amtrak-preparing-procurement-plans-for-new-maintenance-facilities/

“All Amtrak train service between Portland and Seattle is cancelled through Wednesday, May 10 with limited alternative transportation. Trains operating between Portland and Eugene and Seattle and Vancouver, BC will operate as normal. This is due to a BNSF Railway passenger train moratorium following a landslide.” https://www.amtrak.com/alert/amtrak-service-temporarily-disrupted-between-sea-and-pdx.html #Amtrak #Cascades #Seattle #Portland #PassengerRail

From our friends in #Minnesota: “Both the House and Senate Transportation bills fund the 2nd Twin Cities to Chicago train, and they both provide money for the Northern Lights Express (NLX) Twin Cities to Duluth passenger rail service. But the House and Senate bills are far apart on the amount of money provided to fund passenger rail service…contact Transportation Chairs and tell them you want the House version…that fully funds passenger rail!” https://www.allaboardmn.org/about/news/blog/action-alert-the-minnesota-conference-transportation-committee-needs-your-voice/ #PassengerRail #NLX