Railpace Hot News
Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.
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.
September 6, 2022
KCS Holiday Express Returns to the Rails; Kicks Off Fundraising for The Salvation Army
Kansas City Southern (KCS) announced today the first return to the rails of the KCS Holiday Express train since the start of the pandemic in 2020. This year, the festive, six-car holiday train with intricate displays inside and out will bring Santa Claus and his elves to visit children and families in 20 communities in eight states.
September 6, 2022
MBTA Orange Line Closure Work Is 50% Complete
The MBTA announced that 50% of the work taking place along the Orange Line during the 30-day closure is complete. Additionally, the scheduled work is on schedule overall.
September 2, 2022
MBTA Board of Directors Awards Contract for the Type 10 “Supercars”
Following a presentation by the MBTA’s Capital Transformation and Vehicle Engineering teams, the MBTA’s Board of Directors awarded an over-$810 million contract to CAF USA Inc. to deliver over 100 Green Line Type 10 “Supercar” trolleys, which will bring benefits to riders and the MBTA system through increased safety, accessibility, capacity, and maintainability.
September 1, 2022
N&W 611 Back Running on the Strasburg Rail Road
The Norfolk & Western 611 will be operating once again at the Strasburg Rail Road this fall. The Virginia Museum of Transportation (VMT) and Strasburg Rail Road are pleased to jointly announce that for a limited-time-only, the Strasburg Rail Road will be hosting several events featuring the historic Norfolk & Western Class J No. 611.
