Metro-North’s Waterbury Branch remains closed by flood damage

Wash-out section of railroad track

WATERBURY, Conn. — Service on Metro-North Railroad’s Waterbury Branch remains suspended following significant flood damage to the route on Sunday, Aug. 18, while Danbury Branch service was restored in time for the evening rush today (Monday, Aug. 19), the Metropolitan Transportation Authority reports. Waterbury Branch damage includes a significant mudslide between the Seymour and Ansonia […]

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Noted Swiss steam railway closed by major storm damage

Steam locomotive and one car on curving line on mountainside, as seen from above

BRIENZ, Switzerland — The Brienz Rothorn Railway, a celebrated steam-powered tourist cog railway in central Switzerland, will be closed for the remainder of the 2024 season as a result of severe damage sustained in a storm on Monday, Aug. 12, the railway has announced. The railway normally operates from May to October. “Following a comprehensive […]

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Honolulu agency awards contract for light rail extension

Four-car light rail trainsets at yard

HONOLULU — The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation has awarded Los Angeles-based contractor Tutor Perini Corp. a $1.66 billion contract for a 3-mile extension to the city’s Skyline light-rail system. The contract, which calls for six new stations and 3 miles of elevated rail line, is expected to be completed in mid-September, Hawaii News Now […]

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CN bridge collapses in Fort Frances, Ontario (updated)

FORT FRANCES, Ontario — A Canadian National Railway lift bridge in Fort Frances has collapsed, the website NWOnewswatch.com reports. CN said in a statement to website operator Dougall Media on Wednesday, Aug. 14, that it was responding to “an incident” involving the bridge across the Rainy River that provides its connection to the Port of […]

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Metro-North Danbury Branch to see bus substitution Aug. 23-25

Logo of Connecticut Department of Transportation

NEWINGTON, Conn. — Trains will be replaced by buses on Metro-North’s Danbury Branch Aug. 23-25 to accommodate a switch replacement project, the Connecticut Department of Transportation has announced. Buses will replace trains between Danbury and South Norwalk. They will operate earlier than the scheduled trains they replace, and will serve all stations between those two […]

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Northernmost point on North American rail network to lose service

Map of northern Alberta and Northwest Territories

HAY RIVER, Northwest Territories — Canadian National Railway has begun the process of ending service to Hay River, which currently holds the distinction of being the northernmost point connected to the North American rail network. Cabin Radio reports the railroad filed in May to discontinue service on its Meander River Subdivision between mileposts 354 and […]

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DeLand, Fla., marks opening of SunRail station

Commuter train rounds curve with city skyline in background

DeLAND, Fla. — Ceremonies on Friday, Aug. 9, marked the opening of the DeLand SunRail station, the 17th station on the Orlando-area commuter rail line and the northern endpoint of a 12-mile extension that completes the system as originally envisioned. The West Volusia Beacon reports 300 or more people were on hand for the dedication […]

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Groups sign contract to purchase Saluda Grade

Map of former rail line in North and South Carolina

CAMPOBELLO, S.C. — The organizations seeking to turn the Saluda Grade, once the steepest rail main line in the U.S., into a 31-mile trail, has signed a contract with Norfolk Southern to purchase the right-of-way. The Greenville Journal reports the Saluda Grade Trail Conservancy announced it signed the contract on Monday, Aug. 5. Terms of […]

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