Railpace Hot News

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

CSX Heritage Series Adds Locomotive Honoring the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad

December 4, 2023

CSX Heritage Series Adds Locomotive Honoring the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad

The CSX fleet of heritage locomotives is continuing to grow with the introduction of a unit painted in a custom design honoring the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad

Biden Administration Announces More Than $300 Million Available to Make Transit Stations Accessible for All

December 4, 2023

Biden Administration Announces More Than $300 Million Available to Make Transit Stations Accessible for All

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the availability of $343 million in Fiscal Year 2024 federal funding to make it easier for people with disabilities and mobility needs to access some of the nation’s oldest and busiest rail transit systems through essential upgrades, such as elevators. Hundreds of transit stations built before 1990, known as legacy stations, are not accessible to people with disabilities.

Amtrak Cascades Adds Two More Daily Roundtrips Starting Dec. 11

December 1, 2023

Amtrak Cascades Adds Two More Daily Roundtrips Starting Dec. 11

Just in time for the holidays, WSDOT and ODOT are starting two additional Amtrak Cascades daily roundtrips between Seattle and Portland. Beginning Monday, Dec. 11, more trains will run in both directions – for a total of 12 Amtrak Cascades and two Coast Starlight trains every day between the two most popular cities on the route.

Railmen for Children to Operate Annual Santa Train:

November 30, 2023

Railmen for Children to Operate Annual Santa Train:

Santa Claus is trading in his reindeer, and will be riding the rails this holiday season!! On Friday, December 1st, Santa will board a special NJ TRANSIT train for the annual Railmen For Children ride with Santa

MTA Announces $427 Million in Savings Identified in Proposed 2024 Budget

November 30, 2023

MTA Announces $427 Million in Savings Identified in Proposed 2024 Budget

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) released its preliminary operating budget for 2024, the second of five years to have a projected balanced budget. This November Financial Plan outlines $427 million in operating efficiencies, exceeding the target of $400 million in savings as projected in the July Financial Plan. The MTA is ahead of schedule toward identifying $500 million in savings annually beginning in 2025.

Amtrak Fiscal Year 2023: Ridership Exceeds Expectations as Demand for Passenger Rail Soars

November 30, 2023

Amtrak Fiscal Year 2023: Ridership Exceeds Expectations as Demand for Passenger Rail Soars

Amtrak continued its strong growth in Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) as the company resumed service on all routes and advanced major infrastructure projects that will support plans to double ridership by 2040. In FY23, more than 28 million customers rode Amtrak nationwide, fueled in part by significant growth on the Northeast Corridor (NEC), where ridership is booming and consistently exceeding pre-pandemic levels since early summer.

Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending November 25, 2023

November 30, 2023

Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending November 25, 2023

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending November 25, 2023. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 415,332 carloads and intermodal units, up 2.4 percent compared with the same week last year.

OmniTRAX Named Operator of South Branch Valley Railroad

November 29, 2023

OmniTRAX Named Operator of South Branch Valley Railroad

OmniTRAX, Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement with The West Virginia Department of Transportation to operate and grow the South Branch Valley Railroad (SBVR). OmniTRAX assumes operational management on December 1, 2023.

December Train Rides in Pittston

November 28, 2023

December Train Rides in Pittston

Holiday trains will be offered by the Reading & Northern Railroad in the form of Santa and Winter Character specials from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Regional Railroad Station at Pittston.

Rail Traffic for the Week Ending November 18, 2023

November 22, 2023

Rail Traffic for the Week Ending November 18, 2023

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending November 18, 2023. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 501,416 carloads and intermodal units, up 4.0 percent compared with the same week last year.