Railpace Hot News
Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.
July 15, 2020
Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending July 11, 2020
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 11, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 449,092 carloads and intermodal units, down 14.9 percent compared with the same week last year.
July 15, 2020
NJ Transit To Purchase Eight Additional Dual-Powered Locomotive:
The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors today approved the purchase of eight additional ALP-45A dual-powered locomotives manufactured by Bombardier Transit Corporation for a cost of approximately $70.5 million.
July 15, 2020
Amtrak Releases FY2019 Sustainability Report
Amtrak released its FY2019 Sustainability Report that showcases company performance against year-over-year sustainability goals and highlights sustainability projects across Amtrak’s regions and operations. In FY19, Amtrak achieved all energy, fuel, recycling and emissions targets with the support of more than 18,000 employees.
July 14, 2020
Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Lifting 50 Percent Capacity Limits on NJ TRANSIT and Private-Carrier Vehicles
Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 165, which lifts 50 percent capacity limits on NJ TRANSIT and private-carrier buses, trains, light rail vehicles and Access Link vehicles, and now requires that NJ TRANSIT and private-carriers limit vehicles to the maximum seated capacity, effective at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15.
July 14, 2020
Reading & Northern Cancels F-Unit Excursions Due to Covid Concerns
For the health and safety of our passengers coming from all over the country, and due to the uptick in cases here in Pennsylvania, and additional mandates/recommendations, the Reading & Northern will be canceling the Railfan F-Unit Excursions on August 1st and September 5th.
July 14, 2020
Amtrak Downeaster Adds More Service
The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA) announced today that the Amtrak Downeaster will begin operating four round-trip trains between Brunswick, ME and Boston, MA every day beginning on Monday, July 20, 2020 as it enters Phase 2 of service restoration.
July 13, 2020
Connecticut’s CTrail Adds Service
Effective Monday, July 13, CTrail has increased commuter train service on the Hartford Line. Additional weekday trains operate between New Haven and Hartford, Connecticut and additional weekend trains operate between New Haven and Springfield, Massachusetts.
July 10, 2020
Washington Metro Solar Agreement
Washington Metro announced it has reached a deal worth up to $50 million over 25 years, with SunPower Corp. and Goldman Sachs Renewable Power LLC (GSRP), to install solar paneled carports or canopies over surface lots and above parking garages at four rail stations.
July 10, 2020
MTA Metro-North Railroad Launches In-System PPE Vending Machines
MTA Metro-North Railroad today announced it has reconfigured vending machines at 12 stations throughout the system to allow customers to purchase items of personal protective equipment (PPE). Customers will be able to buy KN95 masks, bottled hand sanitizer and gloves at the machines starting today
July 9, 2020
Skanska Contract for the South Coast Rail Expansion, Fall River Secondary Line
kanska has, as part of a joint venture with D.W. White Construction, signed a contract with Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to build the Fall River Secondary Line, the first major package of the South Coast Rail Phase 1 Expansion in Massachusetts.
