Railpace Hot News

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

Progress Rail Partners with Norfolk Southern to Modernize Locomotive Fleet

March 10, 2026

Progress Rail Partners with Norfolk Southern to Modernize Locomotive Fleet

Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, has signed an agreement with Norfolk Southern (NS) to modernize 96 EMD® SD70M-2 locomotives, transforming them into next generation SD70ICC units equipped with AC traction technology.  

MBTA Will Successfully Complete Signal Work on Orange Line Two Days Early, Strengthens Reliability for Riders

March 9, 2026

MBTA Will Successfully Complete Signal Work on Orange Line Two Days Early, Strengthens Reliability for Riders

The MBTA announced the successful early completion of critical signal work on the Orange Line while service was suspended between Back Bay and Forest Hills.

CSX Recognizes Nine Short Line Partners at Annual Partner Conference

March 6, 2026

CSX Recognizes Nine Short Line Partners at Annual Partner Conference

CSX recently recognized nine short line railroad partners for their outstanding collaboration and commitment to service excellence during the company’s CSX Short Line Conference in Jacksonville, Florida.

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending February 28, 2026 Download Traffic

March 5, 2026

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending February 28, 2026 Download Traffic

The Association of American Railroads (AAR)   reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending February 28, 2026. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 516,729 carloads and intermodal units, up 1.6 percent compared with the same week last year.

CN Launches America250 Celebration Unveiling Two Commemorative Locomotives

March 4, 2026

CN Launches America250 Celebration Unveiling Two Commemorative Locomotives

CN today launched its America250 celebrations with the unveiling of two commemorative locomotives in tribute to the United States’ 250th anniversary of its independence.

CPKC Debuts 1776 Locomotive to Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary

March 4, 2026

CPKC Debuts 1776 Locomotive to Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary

Yesterday the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) unveiled a commemorative locomotive livery honoring the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and celebrating the founding of the United States of America.

FRA Data Confirm Freight Rail Achieved Record Safety Performance in 2025

March 4, 2026

FRA Data Confirm Freight Rail Achieved Record Safety Performance in 2025

Newly released 2025 data from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) show that freight rail safety continued to improve across nearly every major category, marking the safest year on record for the industry. The data reinforce that sustained private investment, advanced technology deployment, and a highly trained and committed workforce are delivering real, measurable safety outcomes across the national freight rail network—strengthening supply chain reliability and supporting affordability across the economy.

CSX Task Force Cuts Cargo Theft by More Than 80% in Memphis

March 3, 2026

CSX Task Force Cuts Cargo Theft by More Than 80% in Memphis

CSX has reduced cargo theft incidents by more than 80% year over year through a targeted task force and operational changes focused on the Memphis rail corridor.

New York Central Railroad” Heritage Locomotive Enters Passenger Service Monday, March 2

March 2, 2026

New York Central Railroad” Heritage Locomotive Enters Passenger Service Monday, March 2

In recognition of the passenger railroads that laid the foundation for today’s Commuter Rail network, the MBTA is pleased to present the third of three recently overhauled locomotives that pay tribute to the Boston and Maine Railroad, the New Haven Railroad, and the New York Central Railroad.  

Progress Rail and Wabtec Reach a Settlement in Antitrust Case

March 2, 2026

Progress Rail and Wabtec Reach a Settlement in Antitrust Case

Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company, and Wabtec Corporation have announced that the two parties have reached a settlement in Progress Rail v. Wabtec.