Railpace Hot News
Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.
December 15, 2021
Metro To Begin To Restore 7000-series Trains To Service
Metro announced that it has reached another step in the process to restore the 7000-series railcars to service. The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) has informed Metro that it has no technical objections to the final plan submitted to gradually return nearly half of the 7000-series railcars to passenger service with the metered release of no more than 336 railcars.
December 14, 2021
Caterpillar, BNSF and Chevron Agree to Pursue Hydrogen Locomotive Demonstration
Progress Rail, a Caterpillar Inc. Company, BNSF Railway Company (BNSF), and Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (Chevron), a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation , today announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance the demonstration of a locomotive powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
December 14, 2021
Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern Close Into Voting Trust
Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (“CP”) today announced the completion of its acquisition of Kansas City Southern (“KCS”). The transaction represents an enterprise value of approximately US$31 billion. KCS stockholders will receive 2.884 CP common shares and US$90 in cash for each share of KCS common stock held and US$37.50 in cash for each share of KCS preferred stock held.
December 14, 2021
CN Partners with Google Cloud to Modernize Railway Services and Deliver Enhanced Customer Experiences
Canadian National (CN) and Google Cloud today announced a seven-year strategic partnership to transform CN’s supply chain as part of digital scheduled railroading, deliver new customer experiences, and modernize its technology infrastructure in the cloud
December 13, 2021
MTA to Retire 1960s-Era Subway Cars With Celebratory Final Runs
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that after 58 years of service, the R-32s nicknamed the Brightliners – among the oldest subway cars to operate in the world – will officially retire from service. To commemorate the historic occasion of the train’s retirement and its unique car design, New York City Transit (NYCT) will be placing one R-32 train into service to operate on four consecutive Sundays in December and early January.
December 10, 2021
MBTA Completes Green Line D Branch Track and Signal Replacement Project
Today the MBTA announced the completion of the Green Line D Branch Track and Signal Replacement Project, enhancing safety, reliability, and resilience. This project began in June 2018 as part of Green Line Transformation program with the goal of improving track conditions and signal efficiency while also reducing the overall risk of maintenance delays and need for repairs. Since June 2018, 25,000 feet of track on the D Branch have been replaced between Riverside and Beaconsfield Stations as well as 6.5 miles of signals.
December 9, 2021
U. S. Steel, Norfolk Southern, and Greenbrier Collaborate On New, Sustainable High-strength Steel Railcar
Three of America’s leading industrial and transportation companies – United States Steel Corporation Norfolk Southern Corporation and The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. ( – today jointly announced a new, more sustainable steel gondola railcar.
December 8, 2021
Rail Traffic for the Week Ending December 4, 2021
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending December 4, 2021. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 527,406 carloads and intermodal units, down 2.8 percent compared with the same week last year.
December 8, 2021
Washington Metro to reopen Shady Grove and Rockville stations on January 16
Washington Metro today announced that Shady Grove and Rockville stations will reopen on January 16, 2022, after a four-month shutdown for the Rockville Canopy Replacement Project. During the closures, Metro demolished the canopy at Rockville Station, erected a new steel canopy structure, and completed customer improvements– including installation of new information screens, brighter lighting, and modern faregates.
December 8, 2021
MBTA Winter Service Changes in Effect on December 19, 2021
The MBTA announced that upcoming winter service schedules will take effect on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Changes to Mattapan Line and bus schedules will be made as the MBTA and other public transit agencies face a national workforce shortage in the ranks of bus and train operators.
