Railpace Hot News
Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.
March 3, 2023
Brightline Test Trains between Cocoa and Orlando
Brightline was planning for test trains at maximum speeds of 125 miles-per-hour as soon as Wednesday, March 1, between Orlando International Airport and Cocoa. The testing will be taking place along the new 35-mile dedicated rail corridor that runs parallel to the Beachline Expressway/SR 528 in Orange and Brevard Counties.
March 3, 2023
Restoration of Nashville Locomotive Enters the Last Mile
After seven years of work to relocate 1940s steam locomotive No. 576 from static display in Centennial Park and revamp it into a regional tourist attraction, the end is almost in sight and caretakers Nashville Steam Preservation Society, Inc. has launched a new matching campaign to raise $350,000 to finish the job.
March 3, 2023
CSX Joins FRA Close Call Reporting System
CSX announced that it is joining the Federal Railroad Administration’s Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3Rs), as part of its commitment to working together to keep its employees and communities safe.
March 3, 2023
Norfolk Southern joins FRA Close Call Reporting System
Norfolk Southern Corporation announced that it is joining the Federal Railroad Administration’s Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS). Norfolk Southern was already actively participating in the C3RS Working Group that is part of the Department of Transportation’s Railroad Safety Advisory Committee. By joining the program, the company is building upon its own long-standing Close Call Experience Program.
March 3, 2023
Weekly Rail Traffic for February and the Week Ending February 25, 2023
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending February 25, 2023, as well as volumes for February 2023. U.S. railroads originated 905,744 carloads in February 2023, down 1.6 percent, or 15,101 carloads, from February 2022. U.S. railroads also originated 943,979 containers and trailers in February 2023, down 8.4 percent, or 86,351 units, from the same month last year. Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in February 2023 were 1,849,723, down 5.2 percent, or 101,452 carloads and intermodal units from February 2022.
March 2, 2023
Genesee Valley Transportation Acquires Historic Alco PA, Moves to New Home in Scranton
Genesee Valley Transportatio has purchased former Delaware & Hudson Alco PA 18 from Doyle McCormack and will move it to Scranton, Pa., to complete its restoration for eventual future operation.
March 1, 2023
MTA to Raise Frequently Struck LIRR Bridge in Garden City
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced over the next five consecutive weekends, crews will raise the height of the bridge that carries the LIRR Hempstead Branch over Cherry Valley Ave. in Garden City. With a posted height of just 10’4”, the overpass is struck by over height vehicles more than any other in the LIRR system.
February 28, 2023
Long Island Rail Road Ridership Rises as Railroad Begins Full Service at Grand Central Madison
MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) yesterday began full service at Grand Central Madison, with the railroad noting an overall uptick in Monday morning rush hour ridership of nearly 2%. By the conclusion of the rush hour, the railroad had recorded 47,413 morning peak passengers. Manhattan-bound customers were split 30% traveling to Grand Central Madison on its first full day, 70% to Penn Station.
February 27, 2023
Celebration of Full-Scale Long Island Rail Road Service to Grand Central Madison Beginning Monday, February 27
On Sunday, February 26 Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, along with federal and local elected officials celebrated the official opening of Grand Central Madison with full Long Island Rail Road service to begin today, Monday, February 27. The new schedules provide increased service levels by a historic 41 percent and offer direct access to Midtown east, the biggest job hub in the country, provide more frequent, reliable service, including in Queens and Brooklyn, and true reverse-peak service on the Port Jefferson and Ronkonkoma Branches for the first time.
February 24, 2023
SEPTA Board Awards Contract for Purchase of New Trolley Fleet
SEPTA awarded a contract to Alstom Transportation Inc. for the purchase of modern, fully ADA-compliant trolley vehicles to replace the Authority’s entire aging fleet of trolleys. This represents a major step forward for Trolley Modernization – SEPTA’s program to transform the nation’s largest trolley network into an accessible, fast, and easy-to-use system.
