Railpace Hot News
Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.
July 28, 2026
Amtrak Advances Major Construction Activities for the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program
Rail passengers on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore will soon notice increased construction activity at the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program site as Amtrak’s tunneling contractor ramps up preparatory work necessary to launch the first of two tunnel boring machines in 2028.
July 27, 2026
Purple Line Vehicle Testing Across Montgomery County:
The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration began live-wire testing of Purple Line light rail vehicles (LRVs) between the Lyttonsville Operations and Maintenance Facility and the Purple Line Bethesda Station in Montgomery County this week. The latest testing represents the first time the LRVs have undergone live wire testing in Montgomery County. Construction of MTA’s Purple Line project is 90% complete, with all rail tracks installed as of early May. This phase of testing marks a significant step forward for the project, expanding light rail vehicle presence to the westernmost segment of the 16-mile alignment.
July 24, 2026
Another Key Milestone in Washington Union Station Overhaul
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced the Department’s plans to engage the private sector in the overhaul of Washington Union Station. The Department is investing an additional $24 million into developing a public-private partnership that will be utilized in plans to expand capacity, enhance the passenger experience, and expedite the project’s timeline.
July 23, 2026
CSX Corp. Announces Second Quarter 2026 Results
CSX Corp. yesterday announced second quarter 2026 operating income of $1.51 billion and net earnings of $1.00 billion.
July 23, 2026
Norfolk Southern Reports Second Quarter 2026 Results
Norfolk Southern Corporation announced Thursday its second quarter 2026 financial results. For the quarter, revenue was $3.5 billion, income from railway operations was $1.1 billion, operating ratio was 67.6%, and diluted earnings per share were $3.26.
July 23, 2026
AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending July 18, 2026
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 18, 2026. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 523,900 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.4 percent compared with the same week last year.
July 23, 2026
Direct Train Service to Great New York State Fair
Governor Kathy Hochul, in collaboration with Amtrak and the New York State Department of Transportation, announced that tickets are now on sale for direct train service to and from The Great New York State Fair. Daily train service allows State Fair visitors a safe, convenient and environmentally friendly travel option to experience one of New York’s signature summer events.
July 21, 2026
Vermont Rail System Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary
On Friday, July 17th, Vermont Rail System and GATX proudly unveiled a newly painted commemorative locomotive in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
July 20, 2026
Official Opening of New Yaphank-BNL Long Island Rail Road Station
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the opening of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) new Yaphank-BNL Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) station. Relocated from its original site, the new station provides improved access to the Brookhaven National Laboratory and critical regional roadways like the William Floyd Parkway and the Long Island Expressway.
July 16, 2026
Preliminary Report Highlights How Upgrades Could Increase Capacity at New Penn Station
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) shared the findings from Phase One of its New York Penn Station Service Optimization Study (SOS).
