Organizers, supporters make push for Montreal-Boston night train

Map showing proposed passenger route from Montreal to Boston via Sherbrooke, Quebec, and Old Orchard Beach, Maine

COATICOOK, Quebec — More than 60 political and business representatives from both sides of the Canada-U.S. border packed the former Coaticook railway station, now a craft brewery, this week to plead for a new night train between Montreal and Boston. Francois Pepin, a retired network planner with Montreal’s transit agency, Société de transport de Montréal […]

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MBTA approves contract with CAF USA for new light rail equipment

Illustration of seven-unit light-rail train

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has approved an $811 million contract for new light rail vehicles to be built by CAF USA, the American affiliate of Spanish rail equipment manufacturer CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles). A CAF news release says the order will be for 102 vehicles, two driving simulators, parts, tools, […]

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Rails vs. Trails conflict heats up in Maine: Special Report

Passenger train crosses diamond in area surrounded by trees

AUBURN, Maine — An Aug. 25 hearing before a Maine Department of Transportation advisory council heard conflicting proposals to use 25 miles of idle state-owned tracks for a Portland-Auburn commuter rail system, or to remove those tracks to create a trail. Meanwhile, a Canadian-based organization, the Night Trains Foundation, has suggested yet another use: as […]

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Lionel 1926 Cardinals Train Set review

Lionel 1926 Cardinals Train Set overall view

Lionel’s 1926 Cardinals Train Set was kind of hidden in the pages of the 2021 Lionel Volume I “Big Book” behind the re-release of the 2-10-10-2; the Mohawks and Camelbacks; the Acela sets; and the Asa Packer, New Hope & Ivyland consists. It’s a high-end Legacy outfit that features a newly cataloged 4-6-2 Pacific steam […]

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N&W No. 611 to perform again at Strasburg

streamlines steam locomotive with huge smoke plume

  STRASBURG, Pa. — Famed Norfolk & Western J-class 4-8-4 No. 611 will return to steam this fall in a series of limited-time-only events announced by the Virginia Museum of Transportation, owners of the locomotive, and the Strasburg Rail Road, which together are completing the most recent federally required inspection of the 72-year-old locomotive. Among […]

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DOT agency issues safety directives to MBTA

Rapid-transit train at station. Governor reacts following more close calls on MBTA.

Passengers are seen leaving a Boston Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Orange Line platform. Today, the MBTA received further directives from the Federal Transit Administration regarding additional safety measures to be implemented by the commuter railroad. The MBTA has suffered a number of safety related incidents in recent months that have drawn attention from federal regulators. […]

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Long Island Rail Road opens second section of Third Track project

Electric multiple-unit passenger train on three-track main line

MINEOLA, N.Y. — The second section of the Long Island Railroad’s Third Track project is now in operation. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced the 2.5-mile segment between the Merillon Avenue station in Garden City Park and the Mineola station began handling trains on Tuesday, Aug. 30. This joins the 3-mile, Queens Village-Merillion Avenue portion of […]

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PRR steam engine operating at Williams Grove

Small steam locomotive with two open-air cars and caboose

GRANTHAM, Pa. — With steam-locomotive giants like Western Maryland Scenic 2-6-6-2 engine No. 1309 and Reading & Northern Class T-1 4-8-4 engine No. 2102 grabbing all the attention in the East this year, one historic steam operation in the region is flying under the radar — as it usually does. And it’s in the midst […]

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Orange Line work more than one-third done, MBTA says

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority logo

BOSTON — Work on rapid-transit Orange Line was 37% complete nine days into its planned month-long shutdown, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority General Manager Steve Poftak said Sunday as Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker visited the site of one project. WBZ-TV reports Baker, Poftak, and other officials visited the State Street station on the Orange Line, the […]

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More Chicago Amtrak cancellations

Passenger train along track lined by weeds

CHICAGO — Lack of serviceable equipment and qualified staff have again caused a series of Amtrak state-supported service cancellations out of Chicago. Late last week, the company announced morning eastbound Wolverine service train No. 350 to Pontiac, Mich., and its evening return counterpart, No. 355, would be cancelled today (Monday, Aug. 29) through Friday, Sept. […]

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CSX rekindles its relationship with venerable Dash-8 locomotives

Blue standard-cab locomotive operating as second of two units on freight trainFre

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — After selling or retiring its roster of more than 100 General Electric C40-8 locomotives, CSX Transportation once again owns the late-1980s era Dash-8 standard cab locomotive through its June 1 acquisition of Pan Am Railways. The Class I railroad began divesting the 4,000-horsepower six-axle GE several years ago, retiring and selling most […]

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