Railpace Hot News
Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.
January 16, 2026
Portal North Bridge Enters Final Phase of Construction as Work Begins to Put First Track into Service
Beginning February 13, 2026, Amtrak will perform critical work to “cutover,” or transfer one track of rail service from the 115-year-old Portal Bridge in Kearny, NJ to the new Portal North Bridge over the Hackensack River. A major milestone in the Gateway Program, the work is essential to advancing long-term reliability and capacity improvements on the Northeast Corridor.
January 14, 2026
AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending January 10, 2026
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending January 10, 2026. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 510,457 carloads and intermodal units, up 9.7 percent compared with the same week last year.
January 14, 2026
Wabtec Secures $386 Million Order from New York’s MTA for New Locomotives
Wabtec Corporation secured a $386 million follow-on order to deliver additional R255 hybrid battery-diesel work locomotives to New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The order is a major step in the Authority’s Capital Plan to revitalize the city’s transit network infrastructure and improve the capabilities and safety of its maintenance crews.
January 14, 2026
CSX’s Willard Yard Upgrades Boost Efficiency
CSX has completed a series of major infrastructure improvements at its Willard Yard, advancing the terminal’s role as a critical hub in the railroad’s network and doubling its daily car capacity.
January 13, 2026
New Baltimore Subway Cars Enter Service:
The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has launched the first six new Hitachi railcars into service on Baltimore’s Metro System. Acting Secretary Kathryn Thomson, MTA Administrator Holly Arnold, and other state and local officials celebrated the major milestone for the transit agency with a ribbon cutting event held at the Johns Hopkins Metro Subway Station. The new railcars feature state-of-the-art technology designed to enhance safety and improve reliability while providing a more comfortable experience for riders. Along with the new railcars, the agency also debuted a new train control system.
January 12, 2026
Philadelphia’s Center City Trolley Tunnel Reopens Today
SEPTA’s Philadelphia Center City Trolley Tunnel reopened today.
December 30, 2025
Reading & Northern Railroad Announces Lowest All-Day Passenger Excursion Fares Yet!
On weekends from January 3, 2026 through February 8, 2026 (plus Monday, January 19, 2026), guests can enjoy a
round-trip excursion to historic Jim Thorpe, PA from Reading Outer Station or Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Regional
Railroad Station at Pittston for only $19.95. Tickets from intermediate stations are only $14.95. Free parking at all
railroad facilities.
December 30, 2025
Boston South Station Commuter Rail Fare Gates in Operation Starting December 30
The MBTA and Keolis Commuter Services, the T’s operating and maintenance partner for the Commuter Rail, announced today that the installation of the Commuter Rail fare gates at South Station has been completed and fare gates will begin to be phased into operation on Tuesday, December 30.
December 24, 2025
MTA Announces Record Breaking Ridership on Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road in December
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced Metro-North Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) have both broken post-pandemic ridership records this December.
December 23, 2025
New York Governor Hochul Announces Major Congestion Pricing-Funded Subway Improvement Projects Moving Forward
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the advancement of $1.75 billion in key transit projects for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) that will modernize the subway system, funded by revenue generated by congestion pricing.
