From The News Tribune: http://blog.thenewstribune.com/crime/2012/01/24/amtrak-strikes-tow-truck-in-kent/ An Amtrak train struck a tow truck at a crossing in Kent yesterday. While there were no deaths and only one injury, this delayed train traffic, including the Sounder, for hours. Come on people, obey the signs! Ben
From The News Tribune: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/01/23/1994719/commuter-rail-bridge-will-improve.htm A reader notes that the new Sounder bridge in Downtown Tacoma looks ugly. Sound Transit’s response is that the bridge will be painted and have an art project on it. Ben
From Transportation Issues Daily: http://www.transportationissuesdaily.com/tiger-iii-rail-projects-are-big-winners/ The government’s latest round of TIGER grants have gone primairly to rail projects. This includes both freight and passenger rail. It is good we are funding rail projects since trains both have their own right of way and can travel much faster than tire-based vehicles. Sound Transit received some of [...]
From the Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/pacificnw/2016900003_pacificptunnels11.html?cmpid=2628 Interesting article discusses the various tunnels, past and present, in Seattle. Ben
From the Seattle Transit Blog: http://seattletransitblog.com/2011/12/06/city-sound-transit-working-together-to-plan-rail/ The City of Seattle, in conjunction with Sound Transit, is studying transit options to Ballard. This could be a streetcar, light rail, or even a subway. Good to see that progress is still being made in connecting all Seattle neighborhoods. Ben
From KOMO-TV: http://www.komonews.com/news/Alarm-over-unguarded-trains-spreads-to-Washington-DC-134362448.html Concerns about unlocked, idling trains is now being investigated by Washington DC. Be interesting to see what they come up with. Ben
From KOMO-TV: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/133582203.html After a special report has found trains unlocked and idling, Senator Maria Cantwell is pushing the TSA to have a stronger focus on rail security. While this is an excellent idea and sorely needed, it is also important to remember that the railroads are private companies with their own police force. What [...]
From MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45153941/ns/us_news/#.TsRvdfFi4sd With problems in the implementation of the California High Speed Rail Plan, it is possible high speed rail in the United States won’t advance any further. This would be a great loss to our country. High Speed Rail is the best way to connect cities and regions, at much less cost and [...]
I am at this minute on the Sounder that hit the person on the tracks in Seattle. We were just told that Pierce Transit would have buses waiting for riders at Sumner and Puyallup (both inside the Pierce Transit area). Given that neither station is a major transit point unlike the other stations this is [...]
From MSNBC: http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/10/07/8207263-amtrak-more-popular-and-more-at-risk-than-ever AMTRAK continues to set record ridership. However, certain parties want to cut their funding. This is unacceptable. The train offers a great alternative to flying and driving. Ridership is dramatically increasing as congestion and fuel costs grow. If we want to grow as a nation and dig ourselves out of this depression [...]