Railpace Hot News
Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.
August 18, 2022
MTA Launches New One Stop Rail App Combining LIRR and Metro-North Trip Planning and Ticket Purchasing
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launched a totally revamped app – named TrainTime – the new one-stop app for commuter rail customers in the region. The app replaces MTA eTix and adds the functionality of previously separate TrainTime apps for Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad, merging ticket purchasing, trip planning, real-time train location data
August 18, 2022
Rail Traffic for the Week Ending August 13, 2022
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending August 13, 2022. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 502,775 carloads and intermodal units, down 0.3 percent compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending August 13 were 237,851 carloads, up 1.3 percent compared with the same week in 2021, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 264,924 containers and trailers, down 1.8 percent compared to 2021.
August 18, 2022
Chicago’s Metra To Create Battery-Powered Locomotives
The Metra Board of Directors approved a first-of-its-kind plan to convert up to six of Metra’s oldest diesel locomotives to zero-emission battery power.
August 17, 2022
Amtrak Debuts New Cafe’ Menus
Amtrak continues to enhance the travel experience by introducing new Café menus, featuring reduced prices for select items, on Northeast Corridor (NEC) and Long Distance trains beginning August 17. In response to customer feedback, Amtrak is offering more high-quality and fresh items for its breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Customers will now see 30 percent more of these options with items such as new hot meals, snacks, salads, sandwiches, lite bites, a significant increase in vegan offerings, and new non-alcoholic beverages.
August 16, 2022
New York Governor Hochul Joins MTA Leadership on Ceremonial First Ride on LIRR Third Track
New York Governor. Kathy Hochul joined lawmakers, union leaders and other officials for a ceremonial first train ride on the Long Island Rail Road’s Third Track on Monday, August 15, 2022
August 15, 2022
Federal RAISE Grant Provides $12 Million MDOT MTA Investment for Baltimore Transportation Hub
The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) has been awarded a $6 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) 2022 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program. The grant will assist the $12 million Building Baltimore Penn Station Connections project to improve access in and around Baltimore’s Penn Station.
August 15, 2022
MBTA Releases Diversion Plan Ahead of Orange Line Closure Beginning August 19
The MBTA released the Rider’s Guide to Planning Ahead as the T prepares for a 30-day full closure of the Orange Line from Oak Grove to Forest Hills stations beginning at 9 PM on Friday, August 19, and the 28-day closure of the Green Line from Union Square to Government Center stations beginning Monday, August 22.
August 12, 2022
Norfolk Southern Issues Environmental, Social, and Governance Report
Norfolk Southern Corporation released its 15th annual Environmental, Social, and Governance report. The 2022 report highlights the company’s progress reducing its environmental impact, creating a culture of inclusion, investing in its people, strengthening governance practices, and helping customers achieve their sustainability goals.
August 11, 2022
Amtrak Penn Station New York Improvements
Amtrak has started work on an accessibility improvement project to the 7th Avenue and 32nd Street entrance at New York Penn Station, taking advantage of adjacent private investments to improve the customer experience in this critical station entrance. The project will add an elevator to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and ease the path of travel for passengers who have wheeled luggage, strollers, and other heavy items. Work is also being done to widen this entrance and replace the stairs and the two existing escalators with three transit-grade escalators.
August 11, 2022
Rail Traffic for the Week Ending August 6, 2022
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending August 6, 2022. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 496,526 carloads and intermodal units, down 2.6 percent compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending August 6 were 230,573 carloads, down 1.6 percent compared with the same week in 2021, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 265,953 containers and trailers, down 3.4 percent compared to 2021.
