Railroads

Stylized rendering of the Midwest Regional Rail Network

Federal Railroad Administration Proposes New Midwest Rail Network

If built, regional high-speed rail networks could provide an alternative to uncomfortable air travel and prevent travelers from becoming stranded at airports during extreme weather.

January 17, 2022 - The Urbanist

Greenfield Bridge

AT&T System Lets Bridges Monitor Their Own Structural Integrity

The Internet of Things faces down crumbling infrastructure with an offering from AT&T designed to reduce the cost of manual inspections.

February 10, 2018 - Smart Cities Dive

Englewood

New Film Documents the Chicago Neighborhood Demolished to Make Way for Railroads

David Schalliol, director of the documentary, 'The Area,' talks about the impact of a railroad expansion that demolished the homes of 400 families on the South Side of Chicago.

December 14, 2016 - Chicagoist

Swiss Federal Railways

Swiss Complete World's Longest, Deepest Tunnel in Record Time

The Gotthard base tunnel under the Swiss Alps is an "engineering tour-de-force" at 57.5 kilometres in length. Its nearest rival is the Seikan Tunnel in Japan, at 53.9 km.

June 2, 2016 - The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

First Mexico-U.S. Rail Crossing in a Century Almost Complete

Governing details a historic new infrastructure addition across the Rio Grande in Texas. The railroad crossing required a massive coordinated effort—just on the U.S. side of the border.

April 9, 2015 - Governing

Chicago El

Congressional Bill to Expedite Transit Oriented Development

Cory Booker has introduced a railroad bill that will, among other things, expand financing for transit-oriented projects near train stations. The new law would also make it easier for TOD developers to apply for federal loans.

March 30, 2015 - Smart Growth America

Can Chicago Ride Its Rails to Economic Growth?

Chicago's position as a central hub for manufacturing and shipping helped establish the city as the economic powerhouse of the Midwest. A new report recommends the city update that infrastructure to grow the region's economy.

September 25, 2013 - The Architect's Newspaper

Sprucing Things Up on the Wrong Side of the Tracks

Will French takes a look at the success of Birmingham's downtown revitalization, which – in the absence of a waterfront – embraced its historic railroads, instead.

May 16, 2012 - Urban Land

Railroads Made Atlantic City a Reality

As a Northeast Corridor connection to Atlantic City goes beyond the planning stage, historian Dennis Niceler reminds locals that the existed solely because of the railroads.

July 18, 2011 - The Press of Atlantic City

Changes Ahead for Rails and Air

Changes to a 75-year old rule, which says nonvotes must count as 'no' votes in labor elections, could make it easier for workers to organize in the railroad and airline industries.

November 5, 2009 - The Wall Street Journal

The Race Is On For Rail Funding

The Fed's passenger rail stimulus program kicked opened its doors on Monday, and states were ready with a slew of funding requests. California submitted 42 applications, totaling $1.1 billion.

August 25, 2009 - The Wall St. Journal

Railroads of Yore Built During Times of Turmoil, Too

In considering the daunting task of building high-speed rail in the midst of an economic crisis, CBS Sunday Morning looks back and finds that the Transcontinental Railroad was built during similarly tough times.

August 24, 2009 - CBS Sunday Morning

Seeking Access To An Underground Railroad's History

A man who has been leading tours of abandoned underground railroads in New York City is hoping to gain permission to break through a 19th century brick wall below the streets to find a perfectly preserved locomotive from the mid-1800s.

February 17, 2009 - The New York Times

China's Rail Investment Needs Pricing Reform

As China embarks on the greatest rail-building investment since the U.S. built its transcontinental railroad, this article points to the urgent need to reform its state-controlled pricing system, both for freight and passengers, to make it effective.

November 11, 2008 - Business Week

Amtrak in the Spotlight

The much-maligned rail system is being reconsidered, as gas prices and environmental awareness send people looking for solutions. But can Amtrak step up to the plate?

July 17, 2008 - Newsweek

Riding Amtrak Across the U.S.

GOOD Magazine sends a reporter across country on Amtrak to give a riders-eye view of the system.

June 18, 2008 - GOOD Magazine

Goldman Sachs Sees Gold in Humboldt, CA

Humboldt's port shows promise, but would require massive investment. Goldman Sachs expresses an interest, surprising locals.

June 2, 2008 - Times-Standard, Northern California

U.S. Rail Network Facing Traffic Woes

Freight trains already face serious traffic on the nation's network of rails. If nothing is done, insiders project disaster in the near future.

June 1, 2008 - Associated Press

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