Railpace Hot News
Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.
August 10, 2022
New Crown Class Seating Available on Lehigh Gorge Trains in Jim Thorpe
An updated passenger coach has been added to the Lehigh Gorge trains in Jim Thorpe, PA. Coach number 450, “The Pagoda”, is named after the famous Reading Pagoda found just south of the City of Reading.
August 9, 2022
Patriot Rail to Acquire Pioneer Lines, Enhancing Rail Shipper Capabilities for Customers
Patriot Rail Company LLC announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Denver-based Pioneer Lines, Inc., a railroad holding company operating 15 short line railroads across 12 states, from BRX Transportation Holdings.
August 8, 2022
KCS, CP, GATX, Local Rotary Clubs and NASCO Launch 60,000 Tree Challenge North American Boxcar Tour to Help Save the Monarch Butterfly
Kansas City Southern (KCS), Canadian Pacific, Monterrey Metropolitan Rotary Club (Rotary) and NASCO announced the launch of the Save the Monarch Butterfly 60,000 Tree Challenge North American Boxcar Tour to raise $100,000 USD. The funds raised will be used to plant 60,000 oyamel trees at El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Michoacán, Mexico to help reestablish the monarch population. This past week, the Monarch Mariposa Boxcar rolled out of the GATX shop in Hearne, Texas.
August 8, 2022
Direct Amtrak Service to New York State Fair
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, in conjunction with Amtrak and New York State Department of Transportation, today announced the resumption of direct train service this summer to and from the Empire State’s largest annual event – the Great New York State Fair. As part of their 20-year partnership, Amtrak customers and Fair visitors can combine the benefits of traveling sustainably and experiencing the best in New York State entertainment and agriculture with fun games, delicious food and one-of-a-kind exhibits. Tickets are available now at Amtrak.com, via the Amtrak mobile app, at station ticket counters or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL for travel between Wednesday, August 24 and Monday, September 5.
August 5, 2022
Collective Agreements Between VIA Rail and Unifor Ratified
Following the tentative agreements reached on July 12, 2022, VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) is pleased to announce the ratification of the collective agreements for some 2,400 VIA Rail employees working in its stations, on board its trains, in its maintenance centres, the VIA Customer Centre, and administrative offices.
August 4, 2022
Kinston Railroad Commences Rail Operations
Kinston Railroad (KNR), a wholly owned subsidiary of Jaguar Transport Holdings (Jaguar), began rail operations on Aug. 1. KNR acquired leasehold rights to approximately 6 miles of track owned by the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT).
August 4, 2022
Rail Traffic for July and the Week Ending July 30, 2022
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 30, 2022, as well as volumes for July 2022. U.S. railroads originated 906,903 carloads in July 2022, up 0.2 percent, or 2,213 carloads, from July 2021. U.S. railroads also originated 1,033,906 containers and trailers in July 2022, down 3 percent, or 32,094 units, from the same month last year. Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in July 2022 were 1,940,809, down 1.5 percent, or 29,881 carloads and intermodal units from July 2021.
August 3, 2022
Amtrak Debuts Decorative Locomotive to Celebrate “Beyond King Tut” Exhibition in Washington, D.C., and Boston
Amtrak is the official transportation partner for a new exhibition “Beyond King Tut: The Immersive Experience,” the new exhibition produced in partnership with the National Geographic Society. Amtrak invites passengers and history buffs to conveniently travel via train to Washington, D.C., or Boston to experience the magic and mystery of ancient Egypt. To promote “Take the Train to Tut,” a specially-wrapped Amtrak locomotive will power Amtrak Northeast Regional service operating on the Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C., and Boston. The locomotive is wrapped in vinyl and painted gold and black, and features an image of King Tut, and the message, “Go Beyond the Mask,” representing a nod to the learning opportunities awaiting guests at the exhibition. The exhibition centers on the life and times of one of history’s most well-known pharaohs. The locomotive will travel through Sept. 30.
August 2, 2022
Groundbreaking for the New Portal North Bridge
Governor Phil Murphy, alongside United States Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez, New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett, and several federal, state, and local officials and project partners gathered yesterday to celebrate the official physical groundbreaking of the new Portal North Bridge. Construction of the new Portal North Bridge will greatly reduce gridlock caused by critical operation and maintenance issues of the existing 110-year-old swing bridge and improve service, reliability, and capacity for rail travel along the Northeast Corridor. The bridge is a major part of the larger Gateway Program, the nation’s most important infrastructure project, and a testament to the prioritization of critical infrastructure investments by the Murphy and Biden administrations.
August 1, 2022
More WMATA Trains, Shorter Waits Coming to Blue, Orange and Silver Line Passengers Beginning Today
As of August 1st, Blue, Orange and Silver line WMATA subway trains will arrive every 15 minutes on weekdays, matching service on the Green and Yellow lines. For most passengers, the wait for a train will be no longer than 5-8 minutes, as most stations are served by at least two if not all three lines.
