NTSB issues final report on 2024 MBTA Green Line derailment

Aerial view of derailed light rail train

WASHINGTON — An operator’s failure to obey a stop signal was the probable cause of an Oct. 1, 2024, derailment of a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority light rail train in Somerville, Mass., the National Transportation Safety Board said in its final investigation report released this month. The train’s excessive speed was a contributing factor, according […]

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New York MTA orders 378 additional subway cars

Subway train on curve in open-air segment

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board has approved purchase of 378 R268 subway cars from Kawasaki Railcar under a contract valued at $1.507 billion. The approval came during the board meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 30. Tim Mulligan, the MTA’s chief of rolling stock, said the purchase would complete replacement of R68 and R68a […]

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SEPTA asks for more time for Silverliner IV inspections

Men in high-visibility safety clothing looking at equipment under commuter railcar

PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has asked the Federal Railroad Administration for more time to complete inspections of its Silverliner IV car fleet, a SEPTA spokesman said today (Oct. 29, 2025). Public broadcaster WHYY reports that the SEPTA has asked for an additional two weeks to complete the inspections of the 223 Silverliner […]

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MTA completes revamp of Grand Central-42nd Street subway station

Wide view of revamped New York subway station

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has completed a five-year revamp of the Grand Central-42nd Street station, the second busiest in the New York City Transit subway system, and says the extensive remodeling was finished on time and approximately $46.5 million under budget. The project — for a station served by the 4, 5, […]

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BLET reaches tentative agreement with Western New York & Pennsylvania

Logo of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen has reached a tentative five-year agreement with the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad, and ratification voting is now in progress, the union has announced. The agreement through 2030 would provide for a guaranteed 40-hour work week, a signing bonus, annual wage increases, and improvements […]

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Ride the best New England’s railroads with Trains Magazine

A maroon railroad diesel crosses a short timber trestle

Join an editor from Trains Magazine on this fully private car adventure to spend eight days in the colorful fall season exploring the best of New England’s scenic railways and museums. Enjoy incredible adventures on narrow-gauge, cog railways, steam charters, and more! 8 Days, 7 Nights • October 2-9, 2026. Included in the tour: Conway […]

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Sunset Models Amtrak NextGen Acela

The logo for Third & Townsend Models

The Sunset Models Amtrak NextGen Acela (Acela II) was announced at the York Train Fair, hosted by the Eastern Division of the Train Collectors Association in late October. The O scale train, based on prototypes that operate in the Northeast Corridor, will be offered in two- and three-rail versions. The Acela II will be available […]

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News photo: Pennsylvania & Southern locomotive marks USA 250th anniversary

Red, white, and blue end-cab switcher

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. —Pennsylvania & Southern has joined the small but growing number of short line and regional railroads commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026. The railroad serving the Cumberland Valley Business Park, midway between Harrisburg, Pa., and Hagerstown, Md., which already had a red, white & blue paint scheme for its diesels, […]

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FRA may force SEPTA to remove Silverliner IV cars from service

Electric multiple-unit railcars in shop building

WASHINGTON — U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Thursday said the Federal Railroad Administration could order the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to remove unrepaired Silverliner IV cars from service if SEPTA does not meet the FRA’s 30-day deadline for addressing issues with the cars. Duffy, in an Oct. 23 letter to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, […]

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