The Pennsylvania Railroad had 100 such 60-foot class X40B boxcars with 7-foot doors for merchandise service, a role made clear by the cars’ paint scheme. Pennsylvania Railroad photo […]
Merchandise Service
Zone & Region: Northeast
Operator killed after NJ Transit light rail train strikes tree
MANSFIELD TOWNSHIP, N.J. — The operator of a train on NJ Transit’s River Line has died after the train stuck a downed tree early this morning, KYW-TV reports. The incident occurred shortly after 6 a.m. when a southbound train from Trenton hit the tree just north of the Roebling station. Forty-five people were reported to […]
Lehigh legacy
Three Lehigh Valley Alco C420s fly the company flag at Treichler, Pa., in May 1974. The units were delivered in the mid-1960s in gray and yellow. Mike Bednar photo […]
Riding the Adirondack: photo report
A full-length heritage dome once operated seasonally on the New York-Montreal Adirondack north of Albany-Rensselaer, N.Y. That began during Amtrak’s 1990s product line era when managers focused on growing ridership and revenue on individual routes. The car was sold off during CEO Richard Anderson’s regime, although views are still terrific through Amfleet II coach windows. […]
Amtrak RS3 diesel locomotives
Amtrak RS3 diesel locomotives supported operations on the Amtrak-owned Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington, D.C. The RS3 was Alco’s best-selling road switcher model with 1,265 units sold to more than 50 railroads between 1948 and 1962. Marketed as a multi-purpose unit, some roads, including but not limited to Pennsylvania, Rock Island, and Western […]
Five hurt in collision between NJ Transit light rail train and truck
BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Four passengers and the train’s operator were injured today (Friday, Oct. 11) when an NJ Transit River Line light rail train collided with a truck, WCAU-TV reports. The collision occurred about 6:15 a.m. at the Dulty’s Lane grade crossing; 36 people were aboard the train at the time of the incident. […]
NJ Transit names new customer advocate
NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit has named Franck Beaumin as the agency’s customer advocate, filling a position vacant for four years. Beaumin, a native of France, brings diverse international experience to the position. He has been a consultant on a bus rapid transit project in Bangladesh; was customer service project manager and customer experience manager […]
Amtrak to end bus substitutions on Harrisburg Line ahead of schedule
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Amtrak’s track renewal project on its Harrisburg Line is progressing ahead of schedule, allowing replacement bus service to end Nov. 7, two weeks earlier than originally projected, the passenger operator announced. Booking tools on the Amtrak website and app have been updated accordingly, with ticketing for Nov. 8 and beyond now available. […]
Adirondack operating indifference continues: Analysis
MONTREAL — Some Amtrak trains are sorely in need of an advocate. A recent Trains News Wire round trip to Montreal underlines that today’s Adirondack has none. It remains a hapless victim of indifference on the part of multiple overseers who show little inclination to make the train the unique and attractive transportation choice it […]
CPKC announces schedule, performers for 2024 Holiday Train
CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Kansas City has released the schedule and list of performers for the annual CPKC Holiday Train, which begins its tours through the U.S. and Canada on Nov. 20. The railroad’s holiday train will also continue to include the Holiday Express, originated by Kansas City Southern, which will make a 13-stop […]
New equipment debuts on Staten Island Railway
NEW YORK — The first new railcars for the Staten Island Railway in more than 50 years entered service on Tuesday, Oct. 8, with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority organizing a “first run” event to note the occasion. The cars entering service Tuesday are among 75 R211S cars specifically for Staten Island, part of a larger […]
EBT reopens more track; chairman confirms full-restoration goal
ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa.— As East Broad Top trains last weekend christened 1.3 miles of restored mainline track that had lain dormant since 1956, EBT Foundation Chairman Henry Posner reiterated the nonprofit group’s resolve to rebuild the tourist line another 18 miles up to the coal-mining region that gave the narrow gauge line its reason for […]
