Railpace Hot News

Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.

Union Pacific Celebrates America’s 250th with New Locomotives No. 4547 and No. 1776

March 24, 2026

Union Pacific Celebrates America’s 250th with New Locomotives No. 4547 and No. 1776

Union Pacific Railroad, founded by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862, unveiled its plans to celebrate the United States, its amazing history and the people behind its unparalleled success story with two new locomotives and the first Big Boy steam tour to the East Coast in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.

MTA Seeking Companies to Build 2,390 Subway Cars, the Largest Subway Order Ever

March 20, 2026

MTA Seeking Companies to Build 2,390 Subway Cars, the Largest Subway Order Ever

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is seeking proposals from rail car manufacturers for its largest subway car contract in history with a base order of 1,140 subway cars to replace the R62 and R62A fleets operating on the 1, 3, 6 lines, and if an option to purchase the additional 1,250 cars is exercised, to replace the R142 and R142A cars on the 2, 4, 5 lines.

Maryland Transit Administration Earns Leed Silver Certification for Purple Line Operations Facility

March 19, 2026

Maryland Transit Administration Earns Leed Silver Certification for Purple Line Operations Facility

The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) announced that the U.S. Green Building Council has awarded LEED Silver certification to the newly constructed Purple Line Operations and Maintenance Facility located in Glenridge, Maryland. This prestigious designation for leadership in energy and environmental design recognizes the facility’s adherence to high-performance standards in energy efficiency, water conservation and environmental stewardship.

Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway Resumes Daily Operation for 2026

March 18, 2026

Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway Resumes Daily Operation for 2026

Having completed its winter schedule, which expanded this year to include Fridays in January, February, and early March, the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway has started spring a few days early. Daily operation has resumed.

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending March 14, 2026

March 18, 2026

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending March 14, 2026

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 14, 2026.  For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 508,737 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.1 percent compared with the same week last year.

Bus Service to Replace Trains Bridgeport Station to Norristown Transit Center, Mar. 29 – May 9

March 17, 2026

Bus Service to Replace Trains Bridgeport Station to Norristown Transit Center, Mar. 29 – May 9

SEPTA has announced that shuttle buses will replace train service from Bridgeport Station to Norristown Transit Center. This will allow for the major rehabilitation and structural repair project on the [M] Norristown High Speed Line’s Bridgeport Viaduct.

Ontario Acquires 205 Kilometres of Track between North Bay and Washago

March 16, 2026

Ontario Acquires 205 Kilometres of Track between North Bay and Washago

The Ontario government is announcing the successful acquisition of 205 kilometres of railway between North Bay and Washago, marking another milestone in the province’s plan to bring back Northlander passenger rail service to Northeastern Ontario.

New Portal North Bridge Opens

March 16, 2026

New Portal North Bridge Opens

On Thursday, March 12, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak celebrated a major milestone at the Portal North Bridge in Kearny by riding a ceremonial train over the bridge, which will have one track officially go into passenger service on Monday, March 16

Amtrak Celebrates Two South Carolina Station Restorations

March 16, 2026

Amtrak Celebrates Two South Carolina Station Restorations

Amtrak has completed a comprehensive series of improvements at both the Camden Station and the Denmark Railway Depot in South Carolina, which are each served twice daily by Amtrak’s Floridian route.