Hurricane Irene is about to bear down on the Eastern seaboard of the U.S., and while we won't be feeling the effects of her fury here directly, for those in L.A. trying to head to the other side of the nation, serious travel disruptions are in the forecast. more ›

Two workers were injured at an Amtrak train yard near downtown Los Angeles early Tuesday, according the the Associated Press. The workers were reportedly "on a rolling work cart that got caught between two moving trains. The cart was destroyed." more ›

It's only been a few months since Los Angeles' historic Union Station was sold to a Texas company, but today the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) today announced they have successfully negotiated the purchase of the transit hub property to the tune of $75 million. more ›

A woman crossing the tracks in Chatsworth last night via a pedestrian walkway was struck and killed by an Amtrak train, reports KTLA. The accident happened at around 8:00 p.m. Wednesday night near 21700 Lassen Street. more ›

As part of a package deal, Los Angeles' historic Union Station will soon have new owners, the Fort Worth, Texas-based TPG Capital, according to CurbedLA. The deal was announced yesterday, involving Denver-based ProLogis selling Union Station and "numerous other properties for $505 million" to TPG. more ›

Three men were struck and killed last night by an Amtrak train traveling through Commerce, according to LA Now. Investigators from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department are working to determine what the unidentified victims were doing on the tracks, specifically " on an area of the tracks where there was no room for pedestrians." more ›

Rail carrier Amtrak be reversing a long-standing ban next month that will make it possible for some travelers to take their firearms with them on their journey, according to the Sacramento Bee. Passengers who wish to pack their heat will need to pack their unloaded guns in their luggage. Starting December 15th, Amtrak will allow the guns to be brought on board any train that offers checked baggage service. more ›

One of the first segments to be built in California' 800-mile high speed rail network is the small Los Angeles to Anaheim segment, which is expected to see trains every five minutes. But as with anything in a first-of-its-kind project of this magnitude... more ›

Beginning June 26th, Amtrak engineers will be contracted to operate Metrolink's seven commuter lines. The move comes after the deadly Metrolink crash in 2008, which left 25 people dead and 125 injured. It was found that engineer, a contracted employee from Veolia, ran a red light and was texting at the time of the incident. "Amtrak is proud of our safety record and we are dedicated to providing excellent and efficient service to Metrolink and its passengers," said Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman in a statement. Amtrak's contract is for four years with potential for two 3-year extensions. more ›

A woman thought to be in her 60s was hit and killed by an Amtrak train this morning near Doran Street and San Fernando Road, according to the Glendale News-Press. "Witnesses report that the woman was pushing a shopping cart along San Fernando Road when she approached the tracks at about 11:30 a.m. The Amtrak engineer rang the horn several times, but [the victim allegedly] didn’t stop." She was struck by the train after she stumbled onto the tracks. "Amtrak passengers remained onboard the train while police and fire investigated the grisly scene." As a result trains in the area experienced delays, and passengers were put on buses to get around the scene of the fatal accident. more ›

The Amtrak Surfliner departed San Diego 10:35 a.m. last Saturday -- right on time. But Train 571, a weekend-only train filled with families and weekend adventurers, never made it to its final destination -- Union Station, LA. more ›

A quick 20-minute trip to Anaheim via high speed rail could be a reality in less than ten years, according to Metro, whose board today officially supported the California High Speed Rail initiative, as well as a first segment that would connect Los Angeles to Anaheim. The segment within the 800-mile system could begin construction as early as 2012, finishing six years later, and is considered to be the most "construction ready.” “Union Station will become transformed into a world-class, 21st Century intermodal transit hub that will serve the County of Los Angeles in ways that are very exciting to imagine," said Metro CEO Art Leahy. Metro estimates the creation of 75,000 jobs, enabling the possibility for $8 billion in federal stimulus money. Voters last November already passed Prop 1a, a $9.95 billion bond for the state's high speed rail system. The Board also voted to support general improvements to the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor, mainly served by Metrolink and Amtrak Surfliners, for more efficient and coordinated service. more ›

A fire was already burning in the Castaic area when an Amtrak bus nearby on the 5 Freeway caught fire--"exploded" according to news reports--and spread flames into the grass. The Sloan fire has reached heights of 3,000 feet elevation and is persisting in the 103 degree weather of the Santa Clarita Valley. However, good progress is being made, according to the Angeles National Forest's Twitter. Even without the fire, the Santa Clarita Valley and San Gabriel Mountains and Valley were and will continue to be under an air advisory alert for sensitive individuals (heart disease, asthma or other respiratory disease). Over in Monterey Park against he 710 freeway, a small 8 acre fire, called the Mcbride Fire, broke out, but was knockedown around 2:30, reported LA County's Fire Department Twitter. more ›

An Amtrak train bound for Los Angeles partially derailed this afternoon as it left Chicago's union station, making it the third coast city's second train incident of the day. None of the 116 passengers aboard the Southwest Chief train were hurt after "two sets of wheels came off the tracks as the train was departing around 3:15 p.m. (1:15 p.m. PST)," reported the Associated Press. "The train was traveling at a slow speed." Update: The train was still sitting on the tracks as of 5:20 p.m. PST. "Replacement equipment will arrive at the scene within the hour and the train will proceed West-running about 5 hours late," said Amtrak spokesperson Clifford Cole in an e-mail to LAist. more ›

Authorities are investigating the death of Myra Theresa Mina-Calove of Woodland Hills, who was struck and killed by an Amtrak train inside the tunnel near Chatsworth Park yesterday evening. more ›

At 4:10 p.m. today The Los Angeles Fire Department reported they'd received notice of a "person struck by train in the tunnel north of Chatsworth Park." Within the hour, the LAFD reported that "1 female, 45, was pronounced, succumbing to injuries." There are no passengers on board who reported injuries as a result of the impact. No information regarding what train service, line, or number was involved, nor how the woman came to be in the train's path. If this is a Metrolink train, it will be the second death in less than 24 hours of a woman on their tracks This is the 2nd train-related death in less than 24-hours in the Valley; a 39-year-old woman was struck and died last night in Burbank. more ›

A scenic train trip, bicycle rides, museums, electric trolleys and wine tasting (and discounts for being eco-friendly to boot). This is how to do Santa Barbara. more ›

An alleged body covered with sheets was seen by an Amtrak train passenger who was near the Van Nuys Station this afternoon. LAPD Media Relations could not immediately confirm anything, but Francisco Oaxaca at Metrolink said the tracks were closed for about an a hour and a half due to "police activity." Around 4:45 p.m., one track was opened allowing trains to operate on the single track. There were a few delays and one train cancellation in Moorpark, but Oaxaca said the rest of the scheduled trains should operate on time. more ›

In the wake of the deadly Chatsworth train crash where a Metrolink commuter train and Union Pacific freight train crashed head on killing 25 and injuring 135, technology called positive train control that detects and shut down trains heading towards each other will be installed by 2012, three years before federal law will require them to do so, Bottleneck Blog reports after a hearing today in Van Nuys. more ›

more ›

On this November's ballot, we will be voting on Proposition 1, a bond that will help fund a high speed rail route that is planned to have a two hour-forty minute train trip between Los Angeles and San Francisco. USA Today columnist David Grossman writes his experiences and why we need it: more ›

Yesterday evening, a southbound Surfliner train from Los Angeles to San Diego ran out of fuel. Amtrak told the Associated Press that is was “an unusual occurrence” and that they will be looking into it. Passengers were stuck for two hours into early Monday morning about 15 miles from the last stop in downtown San Diego. more ›