Railpace Hot News
Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.
November 2, 2023
Weekly Rail Traffic for October and the Week Ending October 28, 2023
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending October 28, 2023, as well as volumes for October 2023. U.S. railroads originated 921,591 carloads in October 2023, down 0.3 percent, or 2,921 carloads, from October 2022. U.S. railroads also originated 1,075,731 containers and trailers in October 2023, up 2.2 percent, or 23,201 units, from the same month last year. Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in October 2023 were 1,997,322, up 1.0 percent, or 20,280 carloads and intermodal units from October 2022.
November 1, 2023
Wabtec and Roy Hill Unveil the First FLXdrive Battery Locomotive
Wabtec and its launch customer, Roy Hill, a leading iron ore miner majority owned by Australia’s most successful private company, Hancock Prospecting, have celebrated the debut of the FLXdrive battery locomotive, the world’s first 100% battery-powered, heavy-haul locomotive for mainline service.
November 1, 2023
U. S. Steel Pioneers Battery-Powered Locomotives
United States Steel Corporation announced a significant step in its ongoing commitment to sustainability, environmental excellence and the communities it serves. The company converted two of its diesel switcher locomotives at the Mon Valley Works’ Edgar Thomson and Clairton Plants to state-of-the-art battery-operated locomotives.
November 1, 2023
SEPTA to Stop Accepting Tokens Effective Jan. 1, 2024
SEPTA would like to inform customers that the Authority will no longer accept tokens for fare payment effective January 1, 2024. The sale of tokens ended in 2018; however, SEPTA has continued to accept tokens on buses and trolleys, and via fare kiosks located at stations and bus loops.
October 31, 2023
Federal Transit Administration Seeks Input on New Training Requirements to Improve Rail Safety Oversight
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a proposed update to the Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program regulation that would build upon existing training requirements for safety professionals in rail transit agencies and ensure that the training curriculum is more responsive to evolving industry needs.
October 31, 2023
MBTA Successfully Completes Expedited Critical Track Work on Red Line Ashmont Branch and Mattapan Line
Today, the MBTA announced the successful completion of critical track work on the Red Line’s Ashmont Branch between JFK/UMass and Ashmont Stations and the Mattapan Line.
October 30, 2023
SEPTA Announces Tentative Contract Agreement with TWU Local 234
SEPTA announced that a tentative agreement has been reached with TWU Local 234 on a new contract for employees in the City, Suburban, and Frontier Transit Divisions. This tentative contract will allow for service to continue without disruption, including on city subways, buses, and trolleys.
October 30, 2023
Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that the Grand Central Holiday Fair will return on Monday, Nov. 13, and will include new festivities and offerings. Presented by AmericanGreetings.com, the Grand Central Holiday Fair brings together small businesses and artisan merchants in Grand Central’s Vanderbilt Hall, a landmarked space steps away from more than 75 shopping and dining options from casual to fine dining.
October 27, 2023
Commencement of Construction Work on Metro-North Park Avenue Viaduct Replacement Project
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that reconstruction work on the 130-year-old Park Avenue Viaduct in East Harlem has begun as areas underneath have been cleared for the viaduct’s new foundations and columns that will support the new structure.
October 26, 2023
Norfolk Southern Launches AI Train Inspection Technology
Norfolk Southern Corporation is deploying Digital Train Inspection Portals to enhance rail safety across the company’s 22-state network. The portals feature cutting-edge Machine Vision Inspection technology developed in partnership with the Georgia Tech Research Institution (GTRI), who engineered the hardware, and Norfolk Southern’s Data Science/Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Mechanical teams, who built the brains behind the program.
