Railpace Hot News

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

Amtrak Awarded Nearly $3B in USDOT Grants to Buy New Trains and Improve Service Nationwide

August 17, 2026

Amtrak Awarded Nearly $3B in USDOT Grants to Buy New Trains and Improve Service Nationwide

Amid record ridership growth, Amtrak’s New Era of Rail continues to advance following Friday’s announcement by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Amtrak has been awarded new grant funding to advance seven projects that will improve service for State Supported and Long Distance routes around the U.S. 

CN Continues to Advance Locomotive Innovations

August 14, 2026

CN Continues to Advance Locomotive Innovations

CN today announced the advancement of its hybrid locomotive development program, marking another important milestone in the company’s commitment to innovative, more efficient and more sustainable rail operations.

Special Weekend Train Schedules Planned for WALK Bridge Construction: Major Reductions to Train Service Between Stamford and New Haven Planned for Select Weekends Beginning September 12

August 14, 2026

Special Weekend Train Schedules Planned for WALK Bridge Construction: Major Reductions to Train Service Between Stamford and New Haven Planned for Select Weekends Beginning September 12

The Connecticut Department of Transportation, Metro-North Railroad, and Amtrak announced that to support critical high tower cable removal at the WALK Bridge Replacement Project in Norwalk, Metro-North and Amtrak trains will run on modified schedules with reduced service between New Haven and New York along the New Haven Line during select weekends, beginning September 12 through November 1.

Cocoa Multimodal Rail Station

August 13, 2026

Cocoa Multimodal Rail Station

The City of Cocoa and the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization (SCTPO) proudly announce a monumental milestone for regional transportation. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has officially selected the Cocoa Multimodal Station and Rail Project for the highly competitive National Railroad Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program, awarding approximately $57.5 million to help bring passenger rail service directly to the Space Coast through final design and construction of the Cocoa Multimodal station. 

VIA Rail Announces the Dorval Multimodal Hub

August 13, 2026

VIA Rail Announces the Dorval Multimodal Hub

VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) launched the co-development phase of the Dorval Multimodal Hub, a new integrated station that will bring together the passenger rail services of VIA Rail and exo, as well as the shuttle service to YUL Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, all in one location.

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending August 8, 2026

August 12, 2026

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending August 8, 2026

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending August 8, 2026.  For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 526,624 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.0 percent compared with the same week last year.

All Aboard! CN Announces its America250 Hometown Whistle Stop Tour

August 11, 2026

All Aboard! CN Announces its America250 Hometown Whistle Stop Tour

CN announced the America250 Whistle Stop Tour, a three-day journey across its U.S. rail network celebrating America’s 250th anniversary and the important role freight rail continues to play in connecting communities, industries and supply chains across the United States.

Amtrak Completes $3.5 Million Improvements at Huntingdon Station

August 7, 2026

Amtrak Completes $3.5 Million Improvements at Huntingdon Station

Amtrak has announced the completion of accessibility and customer experience improvements at Huntingdon, Pa. station (HGD).

August 7, 2026

Ohio Rail Development Commission Approves Four Rail Project Grants

The Ohio Rail Development Commission (Rail Commission) approved grant funding for several projects at its recent meeting held on July 24, 2026 in Columbus. This grant funding will assist four projects across Ohio with improvements such as needed rail access as well as critical repairs to existing rail infrastructure.

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending August 1, 2026

August 5, 2026

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending August 1, 2026

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending August 1, 2026. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 526,410 carloads and intermodal units, up 2.4 percent compared with the same week last year.