Railpace Hot News
Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.
January 27, 2021
Norfolk Southern Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2020 Results
Norfolk Southern Corporation today reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2020 financial results. Fourth-quarter net income was $671 million, diluted earnings per share were $2.64, and the operating ratio improved to an all-time quarterly record of 61.8%. Full-year net income was $2.0 billion, diluted earnings per share were $7.84 and the operating ratio was 69.3%.
January 27, 2021
MTA Awarded Nearly $20 Million to Upgrade Metro-North Grade Crossings, Make Other Safety Improvements
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that Metro-North Railroad will receive a $19.7 million federal grant to provide critical safety improvements to nine grade crossings on the Metro-North’s Harlem Line. The grant was part of $40 million provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration this month.
January 26, 2021
B&O Railroad Museum Unveils 1937 Locomotive Restoration
On February 1, 2021, the B&O Railroad Museum, in Baltimore, Md., unveils the complete cosmetic restoration of the B&O EA Number 51, built in 1937 the first streamlined diesel-electric locomotive.
January 25, 2021
MTA Launches Living Memorial to Honor Transit Workers Lost to COVID-19
The global pandemic has led to unimaginable loss to the MTA family, with 136 employees dying of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. To honor and pay tribute to those who have been lost too soon, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority today launched an engaging visual memorial to those employees, heroes who dedicated their lives to moving New Yorkers through the city and region.
January 22, 2021
Amtrak Seeking Contractors For New Carrollton Station Project
Amtrak is transforming Northeast Corridor train travel by enhancing the customer experience, both in stations and on board trains. As part of this effort, Amtrak is currently accepting Letters of Interest from interested contractors until Feb. 15, 2021, for construction associated work at New Carrollton Station in Maryland. The project involves work within the existing station and the construction of a side platform, and will be closely coordinated with Amtrak for minimal impacts to service.
January 21, 2021
SEPTA Announces New Regional Rail Schedules
SEPTA is advising customers that some changes are being made to select Regional Rail schedules starting next week. These updates will impact the Chestnut Hill East, Fox Chase, Lansdale/Doylestown, Manayunk/Norristown, Trenton, and Wilmington/Newark Lines.
January 21, 2021
MBTA Secures $1 Million Federal Grant for Improvements at North Wilmington Station
The MBTA announced that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA), has awarded $1 million to the MBTA for improvements to North Wilmington Station on the Haverhill Commuter Rail Line.
January 20, 2021
Rail Traffic for the Week Ending January 16, 2021
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending January 16, 2021. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 528,547 carloads and intermodal units, up 5.8 percent compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending January 16 were 232,550 carloads, down 2 percent compared with the same week in 2020, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 295,997 containers and trailers, up 12.8 percent compared to 2020.
January 19, 2021
Statement from MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick Foye on Postponing a Fare Increase
“Buoyed by President-elect Biden, incoming Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the MTA also has hope for $8 billion in additional pandemic relief and continued federal investment in mass transit in 2021 and beyond. For these reasons, the MTA has decided to postpone the planned fare increase for several months. We plan to move forward with a discussion and vote on recommended toll changes in February.”
January 18, 2021
Amtrak Issues Special Inauguration Service Alert
Amtrak is has issued a special alert due to the upcoming Presidential Inauguration. On Tuesday and Wednesday Amtrak will not operate Northeast Regional service south of Washington, including all Virginia stations
