Pennsylvania approves $55 million in funding for 30 freight rail projects

Logo of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has approved $55 million in funding for 30 rail freight improvement projects, the agency announced on Wednesday (Dec. 18). The funds, for a mix of railroads and rail customers, are from the state’s Rail Transportation Assistance Program and Rail Freight Assistance Program; PennDOT said they would create […]

Read More…

Transit in 2024: MBTA makes major strides toward turnaround

Worker welding in subway tunnel

Little more than a year ago, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority was battered by problems and criticism. Its rail system was riddled with slow orders. Delivery of new rolling stock from China’s CRRC was far behind schedule. And it was still trying to correct issues addressed in directives from the Federal Transit Authority in 2022. […]

Read More…

New York MTA set to order 435 more Kawasaki subway cars

Subway train at station

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s New York City Transit Committee on Monday approved an order for an additional 435 new subway cars, including 80 with an open-gangway design. The full MTA board will vote on the order at its monthly meeting, this Wednesday, Dec. 18. The order will bring to 1,610 the number […]

Read More…

Operation Toy Train sets record for toy donations

Collage of photos showing toy donation totals

Operation Toy Train, the annual series of train trips to collect toys for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation, set records for toys collected and toys collected in a day, the organization has announced. The expanded operation — with collection efforts on 10 railroads in five states, covering 52 stops in 48 cities — […]

Read More…

Model Train History: From Tinplates to Detailed Collectibles

A model train crosses over a river on a bridge

Model trains have long captivated the imagination of hobbyists, collectors, and enthusiasts of all ages. From their origins as simple tinplate toys to today’s intricate, highly-detailed machinery, model trains trace a fascinating evolution that mirrors advancements in technology and changes in cultural trends. Let’s explore how this beloved hobby developed over the decades. Tinplate Trains […]

Read More…

NJ Transit breaks ground on new storage, service facility

Man at microphone

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — NJ Transit has begun work on a new facility to provide storage for locomotive and railcars that protects against flooding, a project reflecting the impact of 2012’s Hurricane Sandy. Groundbreaking was held today (Dec. 12) for the County Yard/Delco Lead Storage and Inspection Facility project, to be built along the Northeast […]

Read More…

Riders evacuated from two trains after New York subway power outage

Logo of Metropolitan Transportation Authority

NEW YORK — About 3,500 people had to be evacuated from two disabled New York City Transit subway trains Wednesday evening after a power outage in Brooklyn — a process that took almost three hours. CBS News reports power was knocked out between the Jay Street-MetroTech and Hoyt-Schermerhorn Street stations about 5:30 p.m., disrupting service […]

Read More…

MTA adds more bus service to address Rockaways subway shutdown

New York subway train on bridge over large body of water

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has added to bus service to help offset an upcoming 17-week shutdown of the New York City Transit subway A line to the Rockaway Peninsula. The MTA had previously announced measures including free shuttle buses, shuttle trains on the peninsula, and discounted Long Island Rail Road fares [see […]

Read More…

Alstom edges toward completion of Acela order

HORNELL, N.Y. — Alstom has produced 270 units of its Amtrak order for 28 Acela Avelia Liberty trainsets and expects to see the 160-mph trains inaugurated in spring 2025, four years after the railroad had planned to introduce the premium Northeast Corridor service. That was the forecast offered by Alstom officials last week during a […]

Read More…