Railpace Hot News
Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.
September 15, 2022
Statement by President Joe Biden on Tentative Railway Labor Agreement
The tentative agreement reached tonight is an important win for our economy and the American people. It is a win for tens of thousands of rail workers who worked tirelessly through the pandemic to ensure that America’s families and communities got deliveries of what have kept us going during these difficult years. These rail workers will get better pay, improved working conditions, and peace of mind around their health care costs: all hard-earned. The agreement is also a victory for railway companies who will be able to retain and recruit more workers for an industry that will continue to be part of the backbone of the American economy for decades to come.
September 14, 2022
Five Surplus North Carolina DOT to be sold at Auction.
It was announced today that Iron Horse Auction Company of Rockingham, NC is conducting an Online w/Live Bid Center Auction of five surplus North Carolina DOT railroad passenger cars.
September 14, 2022
MBTA Orange Line Closure Work Is 82% Complete
MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak today announced that 82% of the work taking place along the Orange Line is complete and track work taking place between Dana Bridge and North Station will allow for the removal of three more slow zones, which will bring the total number of slow zones removed to five.
September 14, 2022
Freight Railroad Labor Negotiations – Possible Impacts to Select Amtrak Service
Amtrak is closely monitoring ongoing freight rail management—labor contract negotiations. While these negotiations do not involve Amtrak or the Amtrak workforce, many of our trains operate over freight railroad tracks. Because the parties have not yet reached a resolution, Amtrak has begun to make initial service adjustments in response to a possible freight railroad service interruption that could occur later this week.
September 12, 2022
Railroads Prepare to Secure HAZMAT, Security-Sensitive Shipments Due to Labor Uncertainty
n light of the possibility of a rail labor strike, the six Class I freight railroads participating in national bargaining will begin to take steps to manage and secure the shipments of hazardous and security-sensitive materials, such as chlorine used to purify drinking water and chemicals used in fertilizer, starting as early as Monday, September 12. Railroads are taking all measures necessary to handle sensitive cargo in accordance with federal regulations to ensure that no such cargo is left on an unattended or unsecured train in the event of a work stoppage due to an impasse in labor negotiations.
September 9, 2022
Rail Service Interruption Could Cost Economy $2 Billion per Day
A newly released Association of American Railroads (AAR) report found that a nationwide rail service interruption would dramatically impact economic output and could cost more than $2 billion per day of a shutdown. If negotiations remain unsettled with the remaining unions by Friday, September 16 at 12:01 AM,
September 8, 2022
Ride Vintage Trains at the New York Transit Museum’s Parade of Trains at Brighton Beach
Ride the rails in historic style at the New York Transit Museum’s Parade of Trains on Saturday and Sunday, September 17th and 18th at Brighton Beach station! Shuttle through time by hopping on and off four different historic trains from the Museum’s vintage fleet, representing more than a century of New York City transportation history. Parade of Trains shuttle rides are free with subway entrance and will run continuously to and from the Brighton Beach station B/Q express platforms from 11am to 4pm.
September 8, 2022
Buses to Substitute for Trains on the Port Jervis Line Due to Track Work, Sept. 11 through Nov. 13
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that beginning on Sunday, Sept. 11, at 4 a.m. and continuing through Sunday, Nov. 13, at 3 a.m., buses will replace midday weekday trains and all weekend trains on the Port Jervis Line
September 8, 2022
Masks No Longer Required on New York Subways, Buses and Commuter Railroads
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the mask requirement on public transit is being lifted. Following guidance from New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett, effective immediately masks are optional on all forms of public transportation, including subways, buses, commuter railroad, paratransit services, and in stations.
September 8, 2022
Rail Traffic for August and the Week Ending September 3, 202
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending September 3, 2022, as well as volumes for August 2022. U.S. railroads originated 1,189,892 carloads in August 2022, up 2.3 percent, or 27,040 carloads, from August 2021. U.S. railroads also originated 1,335,618 containers and trailers in August 2022, down 1.2 percent, or 15,856 units, from the same month last year. Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in August 2022 were 2,525,510, up 0.4 percent, or 11,184 carloads and intermodal units from August 2021.
