MBTA board approves $9.8 billion capital spending plan

Commuter train at station platform

BOSTON — New equipment for the commuter rail fleet is among the major projects planned under the 2026-30 Capital Improvement Plan approved on Tuesday, May 20, by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority board. The plan, which calls for $9.8 billion in capital expenditures over the next five fiscal years, includes more than 660 projects, the […]

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Cass’ 2025 Parade of Steam scheduled for June 14

Five geared steam locomotives run together under large cloud of smoke

CASS, W.Va — Cass Scenic Railroad and operator Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad has announced the return of Parade of Steam for 2025. The increasingly popular event, which began in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, is scheduled for June 14 at the Cass Depot. According to the railroad website, up to six […]

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Mt. Rainier Scenic soldiers on after devastating fire

Remnants of wooden railroad bridge destroyed by fire

ELBE, Wash. — The last few weeks have been devastating for the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad. And yet, the heritage line about 45 miles south of Tacoma, Wash., is not only continuing to operate, but finding reasons to be positive. On the evening of April 30, the railroad’s largest wooden bridge — a 400-foot-long, 70-high […]

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The challenges and opportunities of Amtrak’s Floridian: Trip report

Train in station trainshed

ORLANDO — Amtrak’s decision last fall to create the Chicago-Miami Floridian out of the Capitol Limited and Silver Star — ostensibly to reduce equipment moves during East River tunnel reconstruction in New York — is facing additional timekeeping obstacles over its 2,076-mile, 44-intermediate-stop route this summer. A cell phone text message dinged Sunday (May 18) […]

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NJ Transit service resumes after strike

Commuter train on multi-track main line

NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit resumed rail service this morning after a four-day shutdown because of a strike by engineers, with the first scheduled move a 3:47 a.m. Northeast Corridor line departure from Trenton to New York. Inbound service on all lines was slated to begin by 5:10 am.; the last route to see a […]

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Steam and superstition

steam locomotive

When Trains Magazine author Lou Maxon was invited by the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad and Museum in Mineral, Wash. to experience steam railroading from the cab, he knew he was in for a special treat, a peek into a world few non-railroaders will see. He watched as the crew went through their pre-departure routine for […]

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Chandler joins Pinsly as vice president of engineering

Head and torso photo of man in suit

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Pinsly Railroad Co. has named Arthur Chandler as its new vice president of engineering. Chandler has spent half of his 20-year rail industry career with CSX and half with Genesee & Wyoming. He will oversee Pinsly’s annual capital spending program and lead key intiatives by the company’s engineering team. “I am thrilled […]

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Tornado blamed for UP derailment in Kansas

Union Pacific logo without slogan. UP Bailey Yard explosion appear to be accidental.

HAVILAND, Kan. — A tornado is being blamed for the derailment of about 100 cars of a Union Pacific train late Sunday (May 18) in rural Kansas, the Hays Post reports. The incident occurred about 11 p.m. while the train was stopped near the town of Haviland after receiving a tornado warning, UP spokeswoman Robynn […]

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MTA resumes subway service to Rockaways after 17-week closure

View of elevated railway structure where two tracks come together

NEW YORK — New York City Transit has resumed A Train subway service to the Rockaway Peninsula, suspended since Jan. 17 to allow for critical infrastructure work. The 17-week shutdown allowed rebuilding of the Hammels Wye viaduct and repairs to the South Channel Bridge across Jamaica Bay, damaged during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Emergency repairs […]

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