Railpace Hot News
Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.
December 4, 2020
North Jersey Coast Line Resumes Regular Operations
North Jersey Coast Line (NJCL) rail service will resume regular operations beginning on Saturday, December 5th with the restoration of full weekend service. Regular weekday schedules will resume on Monday, December 7th. The resumption follows a modified schedule which was in effect as the result of a derailment last week in Perth Amboy.
December 3, 2020
2020: A Key Year For Accessibility At VIA Rail Canada
As part of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) wishes to reiterate its firm commitment to offering an accessible and inclusive travel experience.
December 3, 2020
NJ Transit And Rutgers University Selected For Grant To Study Improved Pedestrian Detection At Rail Crossings
Rutgers University in partnership with NJ TRANSIT has been selected for a grant award by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for its Safety Research and Demonstration Program. Rutgers University in cooperation with NJ TRANSIT received $357,000 to study pedestrian detection, one of ten grants awarded throughout the country.
December 2, 2020
Rail Traffic for November and the Week Ending November 28, 2020
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending November 28, 2020, as well as volumes for November 2020. U.S. railroads originated 900,194 carloads in November 2020, down 5.8 percent, or 55,198 carloads, from November 2019. U.S. railroads also originated 1,136,695 containers and trailers in November 2020, up 11.5 percent, or 116,915 units, from the same month last year. Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in November 2020 were 2,036,889, up 3.1 percent, or 61,717 carloads and intermodal units from November 2019.
December 1, 2020
Amtrak Awarded Metrolink Operation Contract
Amtrak announced that Metrolink, Southern California’s passenger train service, awarded Amtrak a four-and-a-half-year contract for commuter train operations services that will begin on January 1, 2021 and expire on June 30, 2025. As part of the contract, Amtrak will provide and manage engineers and conductors to operate Metrolink trains, playing a significant role in safety and customer service. Amtrak’s proposal was selected from a field of five proposers.
November 30, 2020
CSX to Acquire Pan Am Railways in New England
CSX Corp. today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire New England’s Pan Am Railways, Inc. (“Pan Am”), whose rail carrier subsidiaries comprise North America’s largest regional railroad.
November 30, 2020
VIA Rail Canada’s Third Quarter Results:
Like others in the transportation industry, VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) continues to be severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting a significant decrease in ridership and passenger revenues compared to the same period last year. During this year’s third quarter, VIA Rail recorded an 86% drop in passenger revenues as well as a decrease of 82% in ridership compared to the same quarter last year.
November 30, 2020
Stephen Gardner Named Amtrak President As Part Of New Leadership Structure
Today, Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn announced that Stephen Gardner has been appointed President, effective Dec. 1, 2020. Gardner’s appointment is part of a broader set of actions taken under Flynn’s leadership, working with the Board of Directors, to ensure that Amtrak is well positioned for success in fiscal year 2021 and beyond.
November 25, 2020
Metro to sideline 6000-series railcars following second incident
Metro is temporarily sidelining its fleet of 6000-series railcars following a train-separation incident on the Red Line on November 24. The broad safety directive, recommended by Chief Safety Officer Theresa Impastato and immediately approved by General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld, is expected to take effect within hours and continue for an indefinite period of time while an investigation is underway.
November 25, 2020
Rail Traffic for the Week Ending November 21, 2020
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending November 21, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 534,607 carloads and intermodal units, up 2.5 percent compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending November 21 were 233,478 carloads, down 7.2 percent compared with the same week in 2019, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 301,129 containers and trailers, up 11.5 percent compared to 2019.
