Railpace Hot News
Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.
March 20, 2025
New York Central No. 3001 Kick-Off Fundraiser Crosses Halfway Point
The American Locomotive Project, a campaign to revive a distinctive 1940s steam-powered time machine from the New York Central Railroad, reached 56% of its $500,000 kick-off goal, shortly after the engine’s custodians held their first official work session.
March 20, 2025
Healey-Driscoll Administration, MBTA Announce Free South Coast Rail Service Through the End of March
The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the MBTA today announced that South Coast Rail service will be free through the end of March. This is in addition to the previously announced fare-free service on weekends through April. Beginning today, fares may also be purchased for the new Fall River/New Bedford Commuter Rail Line on the mTicket app.
March 20, 2025
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy to NYC: Clean up Metro Transit
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy pushed the nation’s largest transit agency to clean up its subways and buses so passengers and workers can enjoy a safer, crime-free commute. As noted in the letter, the MTA should act promptly to ensure compliance and avoid additional Federal Transit Administration (FTA) enforcement actions, such as the redirecting or withholding of federal funding.
March 20, 2025
AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending March 15, 2025
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 15, 2025. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 503,473 carloads and intermodal units, up 6.2 percent compared with the same week last year.
March 19, 2025
Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner Resigns
Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner has announced his resignation today.
March 19, 2025
MTA to Sunset MetroCard Sales at End of the Year
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that the final day for MetroCard sales and distribution will be December 31, 2025, as the MTA’s popular contactless tap-and-go payment system fully replaces the three-decade old swipe system. The tap-and-go payment system allows riders to pay fares directly with digital wallets, contactless credit and debit cards, and OMNY cards.
March 18, 2025
OmniTRAX Network Adds Santa Maria Railroad
OmniTRAX, The Broe Group’s rail and real estate affiliate, and one of North America’s fastest growing privately held rail management companies, has entered into a joint venture for the Santa Maria Valley Railroad, the 29th rail operation in the OmniTRAX national rail network.
March 18, 2025
2025 Main Line Excursions to Jim Thorpe Began March 15th
Following its most successful year to date in 2024, the Reading & Northern Passenger Department is about to launch its 2025 regular season schedule. All-day rail excursions to historic Jim Thorpe from Reading Outer Station and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Regional Railroad Station at Pittston began Saturday, March 15, 2025.
March 13, 2025
AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending March 8, 2025
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 8, 2025. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 497,412 carloads and intermodal units, up 5.4 percent compared with the same week last year.
March 12, 2025
Amtrak and Rexmark Announce Resolution of Legal Claims for Washington Union Station
Amtrak and Rexmark today announced that their case regarding the lease of the majority of the customer-facing area of Washington Union Station has come to a close. The parties entered into a settlement agreement earlier in February. The judge formally ended the case on March 7, 2025.
