From the document: “The bottom line is that it is time to actually move Norfolk Southern forward. Moving ahead starts with identifying the right destination. Our slate and proposed management team believe they have the experience and strategy required to turn Norfolk Southern into a safer, more sustainable railroad that is growing profitably while also yielding more stability for customers and employees. As shown in our presentation, this is a far cry from where Norfolk Southern stands today under Mr. Shaw and his loyal backers in the boardroom. In the coming weeks, we look forward to sharing a second presentation that focuses on our 100-day transition plan and the details of our reliable network strategy that will leverage Norfolk Southern’s existing assets and people to get the organization to the right destination. We will show that a better day is in reach—one that includes enhanced value for customers, communities, employees and shareholders.”

Railroad Workers United (RWU), a caucus of rank-and-file workers spanning all thirteen national rail unions, recently released a video offering one answer to the rotten state of US rail. “Putting America Back on Track: The Case for Public Rail Ownership” opens in East Palestine, with a resident of the area showing the viewer photos he took the night of the Norfolk Southern derailment. The video goes on to make the case for public ownership of rail, which has been a focus for RWU over the past year.

What are your thoughts on the idea of public ownership of rail (in the US and Canada)? What type or level of public ownership would you support?

https://www.regulations.gov/document/FRA-2023-0099-0001/comment?sortBy=postedDate&sortDirection=desc

Comments due tonight at 2359 EST, 2059 PST. It's about waivers to the Buy America plan for High Speed Train components. Probably have a look through this video before submitting a comment, as it shows the important parts of comments other companies have put and (Armchair Urbanist) Alan Fischer's suggestions on commenting.

The train is Spanish Talgo 350 SRO with an operating speed of 300 km/h

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/10154897

Looks like they plan to have the blue line extension ready to go in 2029 mentioned in the embedded video not the article.

The plan is to have 55% of the population within 800 meters of public transportation stations by 2040.

A little bit old, but I always like to watch the video linked below: Youtube - Dubai Progress by MetroCucumber

Network Rail enployee Zoe Sookun has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the railway through her work in project managing the delivery of the Rail Aid for Ukraine project.

Zoe project managed the £10m Network Rail aid package to Ukrainian Railways this year, including the delivery of:

• Eight bridge spans to replace damaged bridge decks
• Bridge supports to replace damaged abutments
• Four heavy JCB construction machines to assist with grain export
• Containers for grain export
• Automated railway inspection equipment to enable accurate inspection of bomb damage
• Rapid tunnel repair system for fixing damaged railway tunnels

Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) made a passionate speech at the annual general meeting of the International Union of Railways, praising Network Rail and the DfT as the only organisations providing practical help. The railways are vitally important in Ukraine, with 60% of freight transported by rail.

Happy Holidays!

They did DRM to a train.

Designed by Spanish CAF. Diesel powered with top speed of 180km/h. It serves on passenger service on all lines except the Haramain High Speed Railway.

Freight Rail Highlights:

• Canadian Freight Rail volumes YTD are down 1% compared to the same period in 2022.
• Two of ten key financial and operating metrics improved compared to the same period last year, two remained unchanged, and six worsened.
• Train weight and length were reduced to accommodate softer traffic volumes while maintaining scheduled train operations and service levels.
• The B.C. port strikes disrupted supply chains and likely contributed to the observed 6% increase in average rail terminal dwell.
• 5% reduction in freight revenue per RTM and a 9% increase in the average operating ratio.
• Class 1 employment was up 4% and they invested nearly $1.7 billion into their assets – a $500 million (43%) increase compared to Q3-2022

Passenger Rail Highlights:

• Q2-23 (latest available data), tourism expenditures on passenger rail, which are a function of both ridership and pricing, were up 14% compared to Q2-19.
• Urban transit ridership continued to improve, and in August 2023, was sitting 19% below pre-pandemic levels, from a pandemic trough of -84%.
• In Q2-23,2 VIA Rail ridership increased by 31% year-over-year, reaching just 16% below pre-pandemic levels.
• In Q3-23, Amtrak ridership for routes with segments in Canada increased by 62% compared to last year and was within 6% of its Q3-19 (pre-pandemic) level.

Spanish Talgo 350 SRO with an operating speed of 300 km/h

cross post from: https://sopuli.xyz/post/6845404

Overnight service between Berlin, Frankfurt and Paris to resume after a decade hiatus. Operated in partnership between DB and SNCF using ÖBB's NightJet rolling stock.