Railpace Hot News
Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.
May 20, 2020
MTA Affirms Positive Train Control Completion Projected by End of Year
The presidents of MTA Long Island Rail Road and MTA Metro-North Railroad today announced that Positive Train Control (PTC) has been activated on the majority of their tracks, and both railroads remain on pace to complete systemwide activation of PTC by the end of 2020 as required under a Federal legislation.
May 19, 2020
MTA Launches First Ever Pilot with UVC Proven to Kill COVID-19
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced an ultraviolet (UV) light pilot program proven to kill COVID-19, with the first phase set to launch on subways, buses, and other New York City Transit facilities throughout the system early next week.
May 19, 2020
Norfolk Southern announces executive changes to Finance Division
Norfolk Southern Corporation today announced organizational changes within its Finance Division. “As we continue to implement our strategic plan and push toward a 60% operating ratio, we are enhancing our finance organization to drive improved performance across our business,” said Norfolk Southern Chief Financial Officer Mark George.
May 18, 2020
NJ Transit Awarded $1.4 Billion in Cares Act Funding:
NJ TRANSIT has been awarded $1.4 billion in federal aid through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This critical emergency relief funding will enable NJ TRANSIT to continue to provide service to essential workers who are on the front lines of the Coronavirus response.
May 18, 2020
MTA Launches New ‘Essential Connector’ App to Move Essential Workers During Overnight Subway Closure
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today launched the ‘Essential Connector’ app to help essential workers plan their alternative travel to or from work during the overnight subway closure from 1 to 5 a.m. Essential workers can use the new app to navigate and take advantage of the MTA’s dramatically enhanced bus service schedule.
May 15, 2020
Norfolk Southern adapts to COVID-19 challenges, forges ahead with strategic plan to ‘Reimagine Possible’
Despite economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Norfolk Southern is well-positioned to safely and successfully weather the unprecedented situation, CEO James A. Squires said Thursday at the company’s annual meeting of shareholders. “We will get through the challenges ahead and emerge as an even stronger company,” Squires said.
May 15, 2020
Federal Railroad Administration Publishes Railroads’ First Quarter 2020 Positive Train Control Implementation Status Updates
The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today released a quarterly status update on railroads’ self-reported progress, as of March 31, 2020, toward fully implementing positive train control (PTC) systems by December 31, 2020, as required by Congress. Based on railroads’ First Quarter 2020 PTC Progress Reports and current PTC Implementation Plans, nearly all railroads subject to the statutory mandate are operating their systems in revenue service or in advanced field testing, known as revenue service demonstration (RSD), with PTC technology remaining to be activated on only approximately 1,100 required route miles.
May 15, 2020
MTA to Begin Major Construction in Westbury and New Cassel to Eliminate Street-Level Railroad Crossing
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that School Street in the Village of Westbury and Hamlet of New Cassel will temporarily close beginning Monday, May 18, between Railroad Avenue and Union Avenue, as part of MTA Construction & Development’s Long Island Rail Road Expansion Project. A new bridge to span this crossing is scheduled to be moved into place on Sept. 12-13, and the newly built roadway below the bridge is expected to reopen in November.
May 14, 2020
American Shortline & Regional Railroad Association awards 2020 Shortline Marketing Award to Reading & Northern Railroad
The American Shortline and Regional Railroad Association has named the Reading & Northern Railroad as the winner of its 2020 Shortline Marketing Award. This is the fifth time that Reading & Northern has been honored with this award, winning previously in 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018.
May 14, 2020
Amtrak’s Passenger Commitment During COVID-19 Outbreak
In an effort to simplify and safeguard the travel experience as America gradually reopens, Amtrak wants to reassure passengers that several added cleanliness and convenience measures have been implemented.
