A Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 thunders through Haverford, 9 miles west of Philadelphia on the Main Line, with the Admiral from Chicago in 1966. Photo by Paul J. McGonigal […]
GG1 on the Main Line
Zone & Region: Northeast
Amtrak cancelling, modifying Northeast service because of expected winter storm
With a significant winter storm expected in the Northeast, Amtrak has announced cancellation of some trains and modified service for others beginning Wednesday. Cancelled Wednesday are 16 Keystone Service trains between Harrisburg, Pa., and New York; Boston-Newport News, Va., Northeast Regional train No. 67, and Empire Service trains 244 and 241 between New York and […]
Digest: Montreal REM light rail project unveils plans for $10 billion extension
Montreal REM light rail plans C$10 billion, 19.9-mile addition The proposed “REM de l’Est” addition to Montreal’s Reseau express metropolitain light rail system will be a $C10 billion, two-line addition to the system under construction, adding 19.9 miles and 23 stations to the 41.6-mile system already planned. This is according to a presentation by the […]
Board approves MBTA cuts
BOSTON — By a 3-2 margin, the board overseeing the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority today approved a wide-ranging series of service reductions reflecting the financial losses brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes, while significant, include some modifications from those originally proposed a month ago [see “Planned MBTA cuts would end commuter rail service after […]
Digest: Metro-North set to buy dual-mode locomotives from Siemens
Metro-North set to buy 27 dual-mode locomotives from Siemens The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a $334.9 million contract for Siemens to build 27 dual-mode locomotives for the Metro-North Railroad. A document in the board package for Wednesday’s meeting says the purchase, an order for 19 locomotives with exercise of […]
Digest: DC Metro releases report disputing ‘toxic workplace’ claims
DC Metro releases report saying earlier claims of misconduct are ‘unsubstantiated’ DC Metro has released a report on an independent investigation into its Rail Operations Control Center that says complaints about misconduct by officials at the facility are “unsubstantiated.” The Washington Post reports the WMATA report, released Friday, is in response to an audit by […]
Digest: Virginia legislators working to acquire federal land needed for Long Bridge project
Legislators seek transfer of federal park land for Long Bridge project Virginia’s Congressional delegation is attempting to get a small section of National Park Service land transferred for use in the Long Bridge project that is an essential part of the state’s plan to ease rail congestion, with the state’s senators considering a move to […]
East Broad Top plans spring reopening for regular operation
ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — Regularly scheduled tourist passenger service is set to resume on the East Broad Top Railroad for the first time since the historic narrow-gauge line shut down in 2011. This will occur in May or June 2021 “with or without steam (locomotives)” said Brad Esposito, the railroad’s general manager, in an interview […]
Digest: MBTA to cut commuter rail service because of COVID-related worker shortage
COVID-related staff shortages prompt significant MBTA commuter rail cuts Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail operations will be cut by more than half as of Monday, Dec. 14, because of employee shortages resulting from COVID-19 absences. The contract operator of MBTA commuter trains, Keolis Commuter Services, said in a press release that the reduced schedules, […]
Digest: Report recommends combining VRE, MARC commuter operations
Report recommends combining VRE, MARC commuter rail operations A new report recommends integrating Washington, D.C., commuter railroads Virginia Railway Express and MARC into a single operation, to reduce travel times and improve economic development. The website Inside NoVa reports the Greater Washington Partnership’s “Capital Region Rail Vision” report makes the recommendation; in a news conference […]
News Photos: New York gathering of Alcos; S1 preservation effort
GREENWICH JUNCTION, N.Y. — A group of railfans gathered three preserved and operational Alco locomotives for a night photo at Greenwich Junction on Dec. 6, 2020, and are also seeking to promote an effort to preserve a former Alco plant switcher. Photographed at Greenwich Junction, where the Greenwich & Johnsonville Railroad interchanged with the Delaware […]
Digest: Newark Penn Station to receive $190 million refurbishment
Newark Penn Station to receive $190 million facelift Newark Penn Station will receive $190 million in restoration and rehabilitation, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced Tuesday. Some $30 million in work is scheduled to begin immediately, with the project continuing over the next five years. NJ.com reports work has already begun on the original decorative […]
