MBTA plans 16-day shutdown of some Red Line service

Orange and white PCC trolley car on double track

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will shut down a 5-mile, 11-station segment of Red Line rail service for 16 days in October to address track maintenance, the agency announced today. The shutdown from Oct. 14 to Oct. 29 will affect the Ashmont Branch between the JFK/UMass and Ashmont stations, as well as the […]

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Amtrak long-distance equipment shortage, mechanical challenges continue

People standing on station platform as train approaches

CHICAGO —  “Unforeseen mechanical issues” resulted in the cancellation of Amtrak’s westbound Cardinal out of New York on Wednesday, Aug. 23, despite the fact that the triweekly train’s equipment had arrived at the Big Apple’s Sunnyside Yard late Sunday. As has been recent custom, this resulted in the cancellation of its eastbound counterpart from Chicago […]

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Service on Metro-North’s New Canaan Branch to return Sept. 2

Logo of Connecticut Department of Transportation

NEW CANAAN, Conn. — Metro-North’s New Canaan Branch, which has been idled since May 30 for track work, will resume operation on Saturday, Sept. 2, the Connecticut Department of Transportation has announced. Work on the electrified 8-mile, single-track branch — which normally sees 41 trains each weekday — has included tie and rail replacement, insulated […]

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SMART-TD calls for FRA standards for those training new conductors

Man climbing on front steps of orange locomotive

WASHINGTON — The union representing railroad conductors is calling for the Federal Railroad Administration to set standards for those involved in training of conductor trainees, while also issuing an advisory to its members regarding their duties and responsibilities regarding such training and trainees. The actions from the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and […]

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One tube of Gotthard Base Tunnel reopens for freight traffic

Headlights of train emerging from tunnel

The east tube of the Gotthard Base Tunnel has been reopened for freight traffic and is available for almost 100 trains per day, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) reports. With that route now handling freight traffic that had been rerouted over the Gotthard Pass panorama route, improved passenger service over the panoramic route is planned as […]

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Amtrak to add Texas Eagle stop in De Soto, Mo.

Amtrak passenger train with bilevel equipment

DE SOTO, Mo. — Amtrak will add a Texas Eagle stop in De Soto, the De Soto city council announced at its meeting on Monday. The Leader newspaper reports that the announcement comes after a five-year campaign to gain the station stop. Council members have previously agreed to provide the matching funds necessary for construction […]

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