Railpace Hot News

Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.

Florida Tri-Rail Orders Siemens Charger Locomotives:

January 20, 2026

Florida Tri-Rail Orders Siemens Charger Locomotives:

Siemens Mobility Selected to Modernize Tri-Rail Fleet with Seven State-of-the-Art Charger Locomotives

Alstom to provide New Subway Train (NST) fleet for Toronto’s subway

January 20, 2026

Alstom to provide New Subway Train (NST) fleet for Toronto’s subway

Alstom will manufacture 70 state-of-the-art, six-car Metropolis metro trains for the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)

STB Finds UP-NS Merger Application is Incomplete

January 19, 2026

STB Finds UP-NS Merger Application is Incomplete

The Surface Transportation Board announced a unanimous decision finding that the major merger application filed by Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) (together, Applicants) with the Board on December 19, 2025, is incomplete because it does not contain certain information required by the Board’s regulations. 

Portal North Bridge Enters Final Phase of Construction as Work Begins to Put First Track into Service

January 16, 2026

Portal North Bridge Enters Final Phase of Construction as Work Begins to Put First Track into Service

Beginning February 13, 2026, Amtrak will perform critical work to “cutover,” or transfer one track of rail service from the 115-year-old Portal Bridge in Kearny, NJ to the new Portal North Bridge over the Hackensack River. A major milestone in the Gateway Program, the work is essential to advancing long-term reliability and capacity improvements on the Northeast Corridor.

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending January 10, 2026

January 14, 2026

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending January 10, 2026

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending January 10, 2026.  For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 510,457 carloads and intermodal units, up 9.7 percent compared with the same week last year.

Wabtec Secures $386 Million Order from New York’s MTA for New Locomotives

January 14, 2026

Wabtec Secures $386 Million Order from New York’s MTA for New Locomotives

Wabtec Corporation secured a $386 million follow-on order to deliver additional R255 hybrid battery-diesel work locomotives to New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The order is a major step in the Authority’s Capital Plan to revitalize the city’s transit network infrastructure and improve the capabilities and safety of its maintenance crews.

CSX’s Willard Yard Upgrades Boost Efficiency

January 14, 2026

CSX’s Willard Yard Upgrades Boost Efficiency

CSX has completed a series of major infrastructure improvements at its Willard Yard, advancing the terminal’s role as a critical hub in the railroad’s network and doubling its daily car capacity.

New Baltimore Subway Cars Enter Service:

January 13, 2026

New Baltimore Subway Cars Enter Service:

The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has launched the first six new Hitachi railcars into service on Baltimore’s Metro System. Acting Secretary Kathryn Thomson, MTA Administrator Holly Arnold, and other state and local officials celebrated the major milestone for the transit agency with a ribbon cutting event held at the Johns Hopkins Metro Subway Station. The new railcars feature state-of-the-art technology designed to enhance safety and improve reliability while providing a more comfortable experience for riders. Along with the new railcars, the agency also debuted a new train control system.

Philadelphia’s Center City Trolley Tunnel Reopens Today

January 12, 2026

Philadelphia’s Center City Trolley Tunnel Reopens Today

SEPTA’s Philadelphia Center City Trolley Tunnel reopened today.

Reading & Northern Railroad Announces  Lowest All-Day Passenger Excursion Fares Yet!

December 30, 2025

Reading & Northern Railroad Announces Lowest All-Day Passenger Excursion Fares Yet!

On weekends from January 3, 2026 through February 8, 2026 (plus Monday, January 19, 2026), guests can enjoy a
round-trip excursion to historic Jim Thorpe, PA from Reading Outer Station or Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Regional
Railroad Station at Pittston for only $19.95. Tickets from intermediate stations are only $14.95. Free parking at all
railroad facilities.