Railpace Hot News
Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.
June 29, 2022
Substitute Bus Service on Hartford Line for Two Months
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced rail service changes on the Hartford Line (HL) to accommodate two projects that will improve safety and rider experience. The roof replacement on the historic platform canopy in Hartford Union Station consists of improving the canopy roofing and lighting replacement over the passenger boarding platform. Additionally, damaged gutters will be replaced to improve drainage and prevent flooding and standing water. In addition, a slope stabilization project in Windsor involves track work to improve ride quality and includes required maintenance on the communication and signal system for the HL
June 28, 2022
PA Governor Wolf Announces Operating Agreement with Norfolk Southern to Expand Western Pa. Passenger-Rail Access
Governor Tom Wolf announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Norfolk Southern Corporation have reached an agreement to expand passenger rail access in western Pennsylvania. The milestone follows a February 2022 announcement that the parties would jointly examine opportunities to eliminate chokepoints and improve Pennsylvania’s rail system to better permit freight and passenger trains to operate together.
June 28, 2022
Norfolk Southern Launches Customer-Centric Operating Plan: TOP|SPG
Norfolk Southern Corporation has launched TOP|SPG, a new operating plan designed to improve service, enhance productivity, and create a platform for growth. The operating plan guides the day-to-day movement of trains and shipments through Norfolk Southern’s network.
June 28, 2022
Metro-North Railroad to Expand Service Starting July 10
MTA Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi today announced that new train schedules that will take effect Sunday, July 10, will add additional trains systemwide. The schedules include four new New Haven Line local trains between Harrison and Grand Central, two new evening peak trains on the Hudson Line, a new morning reverse-peak express train on the Harlem Line, and enhancements that will speed other trains.
June 28, 2022
Amtrak Maple Leaf Returns to Toronto
Amtrak, in conjunction with VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail), NYSDOT and other federal agencies, today announced the resumption of service to Toronto via the Maple Leaf train on Monday, June 27 with tickets now available via Amtrak.com, the Amtrak app, Amtrak ticket desks and kiosks, and through 1-800-USA-RAIL. Travelers departing from Canada can also book their tickets at ViaRail.ca, and through 1-888-VIA-RAIL. The first northbound Maple Leaf train will depart NYP at 7:16 a.m. on Monday, June 27th and arrive in Toronto at 7:43 p.m. for the first time since 2020. The first southbound Maple Leaf train since 2020 will depart Canada’s Toronto Union Station (TWO) at 8:20 a.m. on Tuesday, June 28th and arrive at Moynihan Train Hall at New York Penn Station (NYP) at 9:55 p.m.
June 24, 2022
Amtrak Awards Penn Station Contract
In a major step forward for the redevelopment and expansion of New York Penn Station, Amtrak – in partnership with NJ TRANSIT and in coordination with MTA – has entered into a contract with global engineering, consulting and design firm Arup to begin designing options for the first new tracks, platforms and concourses connected to New York Penn Station in more than a century.
June 24, 2022
Amtrak Appoints Roger Harris President and Gerhard Williams Executive VP of Service Delivery & Operations
Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner announced the promotions of Roger Harris to President and Gerhard (Gery) Williams to Executive Vice President, Service Delivery & Operations, effective July 5, 2022.
June 23, 2022
Amtrak Orders 50 More Siemens Locomotives
Another 50 locomotives – made in the U.S. and cleaner, faster, and more fuel efficient than predecessors – have been ordered by Amtrak from Siemens Mobility, which worked with Amtrak to design this locomotive series for another major investment in our long distance services, the backbone of our National Network.
June 23, 2022
Rail Traffic for the Week Ending June 18, 2022
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending June 18, 2022. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 501,207 carloads and intermodal units, down 2.5 percent compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending June 18 were 232,921 carloads, up 0.4 percent compared with the same week in 2021, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 268,286 containers and trailers, down 4.9 percent compared to 2021.
June 22, 2022
Fort Wayne Railroad Organization Acquires Two Historic Pennsylvania Railroad Passenger Cars
The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society has acquired two vintage Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) passenger cars from the Washington, DC Chapter, of the National Railway Historical Society (DCNRHS) to support the Indiana Rail Experience, an expansion of its popular events and programs in Northeast Indiana. Tickets to ride aboard these cars are on sale now at indianarailexperience.org.
