The Texas Central Railway overcame a big legal hurdle Thursday when a Texas appeals court ruled that the company building a high-speed rail line from Houston to Dallas is, in fact, a railroad company and interurban electric railway. The decision paves the way for the railroad to secure property through eminent domain, if necessary.

The decision follows a four-year court battle. Landowners along the proposed route in Leon County argued that the Texas Central was not a railroad and did not have rights associated with a railroad, including eminent domain and access to property for surveyors.

The 13th Court of Appeals of Texas issued a Memorandum Opinion, authored by Justice Nora Longoria, that said, “Having found that the appellants (Texas Central Railroad and Infrastructure, Inc. and Integrated Texas Logistics, Inc.) are both railroad companies and interurban electric railways, we conclude that the trial court erred by granting (a landowner’s) motion for summary judgment and denying appellants’ motion for partial summary judgment.”

Texas Central says it is shovel ready to begin the line.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently announced that the CARES Act is providing $25 billion in federal funding allocations to help the nation’s public transportation systems respond to covid-19.

Funding is provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed by President Donald J. Trump on March 27.

“This historic $25 billion in grant funding will ensure our nation’s public transportation systems can continue to provide services to the millions of Americans who depend on them,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

Funding allocated to urban, rural areas

FTA is allocating $25 billion to recipients of urbanized area and rural area formula funds. Approximately $23 billion is being allocated to large and small urban areas and $2.2 billion to rural areas. Funding will be provided at a 100 percent federal share, with no local match required. The money will be available to support capital, operating, and other expenses generally eligible under those programs to prevent, prepare for, and respond to covid-19.

The NMRA Gateway 2020 national convention is the latest model railroad event to be stopped in its tracks because of the new coronavirus.

One of the largest annual model railroad meets in the U.S., slated for July in St. Louis, MO, was canceled after local organizers determined they could no longer continue preparations, the NMRA announced today. A member of the organizing committee reportedly was diagnosed with covid-19.

The National Train Show, which runs concurrent to the convention, was also canceled.

Robert Amsler, who manages the NMRA’s meetings and trade show department, informed officers and the board of directors of the committee’s decision.

APTA leader says public transit agencies need immediate help

WASHINGTON – The public transportation industry is urging Congress to
immediately provide $16 billion in direct emergency funding to public transit agencies to offset costs and revenue losses caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Public transit agencies are being massively impacted, and immediate measures need to be taken to ensure these agencies can continue to provide essential services to their communities now and in the future,” said Paul P. Skoutelas, American Public Transportation Association President and CEO in a statement. “It cannot be overstated – without these funds, the overwhelming majority of public transit agencies will be required to either drastically curtail services or suspend services altogether. The time to act is now.”

APTA is asking for legislation to fund essential public transportation services across the country, including providing paratransit services for individuals with disabilities; public transportation for health care workers, law enforcement, first responders and other safety personnel; and Medicaid recipients who receive medical transportation for kidney dialysis, cancer treatments, and other critical care.

The industry has experienced dramatic reductions in ridership due to the workplace restrictions, with an estimated $14 billion in losses expected in both fare and sales tax revenue, according to APTA. In addition, $2 billion is needed to cover upgraded cleaning.

This story was last updated April 7, 2020

By TIM BLACKWELL/Cowcatcher Magazine

Plans are in place for the nation’s railroad community to keep trains moving as the U.S. continues its fight with COVID-19. Operations are ongoing, although the industry and others have been forced to function remotely to comply with health recommendations and state and national stay-at-home mandates.

And rail fans aren’t alone. They’re feeling the trickle-down effect that’s forcing cancellation and postponement of spring shows, meets and get-togethers.

Steve Allen Goen returns to publishing in a big way with the release of the first of 10 books showcasing passenger trains in Texas.

“Passenger Trains of Texas Cotton Belt” debuted last fall. His first book since 2006, it features passenger operations of the St. Louis Southwestern Railroad (more commonly the Cotton Belt) between the Victorian Era of the 1890s to the railroad’s last mixed train in 1958.

Goen tells the story of the Cotton Belt’s historic run of passenger service through Texas with his signature style of photos and descriptions. However, he goes a step further with interesting tales that re-create the railroad’s journey through major cities and small towns in an age when rail was a major mode for moving people.

The 144-page hardback is his ninth book and includes color and black-and-white images of the Lone Star and Morning Star trains, as well as the Jitney in East Texas, gas electrics on the Stephenville, North & South Texas Railroad, and mixed trains to Sherman and Gatesville.