Railpace Hot News
Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.
July 5, 2022
CN and IBEW Agree to Binding Arbitration Ending Strike
CN has announced that the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) has agreed to binding arbitration, bringing the strike to an end at 00:01 EDT on July 5, 2022. Employees in Signals and Communications will return to their roles at 07:00 AM EDT on July 6, 2022.
July 1, 2022
Virginia and Norfolk Southern Announce Closing of Western Rail Initiative Agreement
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) and Norfolk Southern Corporation announced the financial closing of the Western Rail Initiative Agreement which will expand passenger rail service from Washington, DC to Roanoke, Va. and to the New River Valley.
June 30, 2022
VRE to Contribute Millions to Advance Transforming Rail in Virginia
The Virginia Railway Express (VRE), having successfully closed a public bond sale on
June 28, will make a significant financial contribution to the Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) program.
The commuter rail service will use $119.2 million of the bond proceeds to support the commonwealth’s
purchase of rail right-of-way in the Interstate 95 corridor from CSX Transportation.
June 30, 2022
MTA Testing Tech to Modernize Signal System
The Transit Tech Lab announced that four companies were selected as finalists in its Signaling Challenge, a global competition calling for technologies that will help modernize New York City’s aging subway signaling system quickly and cost-effectively. The challenge seeks to increase subway capacity, efficiency and reliability by enabling trains to run closer together. The four finalists, selected from nearly 60 applications, are testing solutions that utilize emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, LiDAR and communication-based train control (CBTC) across the New York City Transit subway system.
June 30, 2022
Rail Traffic for the Week Ending June 25, 2022
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending June 25, 2022. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 493,374 carloads and intermodal units, down 4.4 percent compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending June 25 were 229,857 carloads, down 3.1 percent compared with the same week in 2021, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 263,517 containers and trailers, down 5.5 percent compared to 2021.
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.
