Railpace Hot News
Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.
March 3, 2023
Weekly Rail Traffic for February and the Week Ending February 25, 2023
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending February 25, 2023, as well as volumes for February 2023. U.S. railroads originated 905,744 carloads in February 2023, down 1.6 percent, or 15,101 carloads, from February 2022. U.S. railroads also originated 943,979 containers and trailers in February 2023, down 8.4 percent, or 86,351 units, from the same month last year. Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in February 2023 were 1,849,723, down 5.2 percent, or 101,452 carloads and intermodal units from February 2022.
March 2, 2023
Genesee Valley Transportation Acquires Historic Alco PA, Moves to New Home in Scranton
Genesee Valley Transportatio has purchased former Delaware & Hudson Alco PA 18 from Doyle McCormack and will move it to Scranton, Pa., to complete its restoration for eventual future operation.
March 1, 2023
MTA to Raise Frequently Struck LIRR Bridge in Garden City
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced over the next five consecutive weekends, crews will raise the height of the bridge that carries the LIRR Hempstead Branch over Cherry Valley Ave. in Garden City. With a posted height of just 10’4”, the overpass is struck by over height vehicles more than any other in the LIRR system.
February 28, 2023
Long Island Rail Road Ridership Rises as Railroad Begins Full Service at Grand Central Madison
MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) yesterday began full service at Grand Central Madison, with the railroad noting an overall uptick in Monday morning rush hour ridership of nearly 2%. By the conclusion of the rush hour, the railroad had recorded 47,413 morning peak passengers. Manhattan-bound customers were split 30% traveling to Grand Central Madison on its first full day, 70% to Penn Station.
February 27, 2023
Celebration of Full-Scale Long Island Rail Road Service to Grand Central Madison Beginning Monday, February 27
On Sunday, February 26 Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, along with federal and local elected officials celebrated the official opening of Grand Central Madison with full Long Island Rail Road service to begin today, Monday, February 27. The new schedules provide increased service levels by a historic 41 percent and offer direct access to Midtown east, the biggest job hub in the country, provide more frequent, reliable service, including in Queens and Brooklyn, and true reverse-peak service on the Port Jefferson and Ronkonkoma Branches for the first time.
February 24, 2023
SEPTA Board Awards Contract for Purchase of New Trolley Fleet
SEPTA awarded a contract to Alstom Transportation Inc. for the purchase of modern, fully ADA-compliant trolley vehicles to replace the Authority’s entire aging fleet of trolleys. This represents a major step forward for Trolley Modernization – SEPTA’s program to transform the nation’s largest trolley network into an accessible, fast, and easy-to-use system.
February 24, 2023
SEPTA Awards Contract for King of Prussia Rail Final Design
SEPTA awarded a consultant contract to HNTB Corporation for the final design phase of the King of Prussia Rail (KOP Rail) Project. This marks another major milestone for the project, which will extend the existing Norristown High Speed Line (NHSL) four miles into King of Prussia, providing a “one-seat” ride from any station along the NHSL, including 69th Street Transportation Center in Upper Darby and Norristown Transportation Center.
February 23, 2023
Norfolk Southern Announces East Palestine Track Excavation and Remediation Plan
Norfolk Southern Corporation announced that it will now excavate the soil and replace the tracks in the derailment area as part of an enhanced remediation plan. The change comes in response to feedback from the citizens of East Palestine, Ohio. Work on the first rail line will begin immediately, with the second line to be replaced directly after.
February 23, 2023
Norfolk Southern Announces Paid Sick Leave Agreement with Maintenance Employees
Following the historic wage increases and premium health care benefits reached during last year’s national bargaining, Norfolk Southern Corporation announced Wednesday that it has reached an agreement with one of its largest labor unions that provides their members the ability to take up to seven paid sick days per year.
February 23, 2023
AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending February 18, 2023
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending February 18, 2023. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 466,932 carloads and intermodal units, down 6.5 percent compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week ending February 18 were 229,227 carloads, down 3.9 percent compared with the same week in 2022, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 237,705 containers and trailers, down 8.8 percent compared to 2022.
