Misaligned switch led to LIRR derailment, MTA says

Derailed electric multiple unit trainset

NEW YORK — A misaligned switch — incorrectly shown to dispatchers as being correctly aligned for a straight-ahead move — was the cause of last week’s derailment of a Long Island Rail Road train at Hall Interlocking in Queens, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said today (Aug. 11). Thirteen people were injured, two seriously, in the […]

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Observation car Hickory Creek, tavern-lounge to return to Naugatuck Railroad for holiday excursions

Round-end observation car on train running next to river

THOMASTON, Conn. — Former 20th Century Limited observation car Hickory Creek and New York Central tavern-lounge car No. 43 will return to Connecticut’s Naugatuck Railroad for a series of upcoming holiday excursions including this year’s Northern Lights Limited and Santa Express trips. Tickets for those trips are now on sale; information is available at the […]

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MBTA plans 58-day disruption of commuter rail Haverhill Line

Portion of commuter rail system map showing MBTA Lowell and Haverhill lines

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will halt service most of on its Haverhill commuter rail line for 58 days beginning Saturday, Sept. 9, to accommodate signal system upgrades related to Automatic Train Control upgrades to positive train control. Trains will be diverted from the Haverhill Line to the Lowell Line south of Ballardvale […]

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Fonda, Johnstown & Gloversville cabooses

Fonda Johnstown and Gloversville Railroad

An October 15, 1950, fan trip on New York State short line Fonda, Johnstown & Gloversville utilized every piece of rolling stock capable of carrying people the road could muster. In the consist were cabooses 1 (built by ACF in 1914) and 2 (a 1911 product of FJ&G’s own shops). Ed Theisinger photo […]

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The Flushing & Brooklyn RR in HO scale

The Flushing & Brooklyn RR trackplan: A model railroad trackplan

Facts & features   Name: The Flushing & Brooklyn RRScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 3 x 6 feetPrototype: freelanceLocale: Flushing Village, N.Y.Era: 1838Style: portable tabletopMainline run: 12 feetMinimum radius: 15″Minimum turnout: No. 5Maximum grade: noneBenchwork: open gridHeight: 34″Roadbed: noneTrack: Atlas sectional, Peco turnoutsScenery: Woodland Scenics ground foamBackdrop: painted plywoodControl: direct current     Download a PDF of […]

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NS reaches settlement with OSHA, union over safety at East Palestine site

Aerial view of two railroad tracks and soil removal work

CLEVELAND — Norfolk Southern has agreed to a settlement with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the union representing maintenance-of-way employees to improve safety at the site of the Feb. 3 East Palestine, Ohio, derailment, according to a Wednesday OSHA announcement. The settlement stems from OSHA enforcement inspections that began in March to […]

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Alstom to build 60 new passenger cars for Connecticut

Rendering of commuter rail cab car with black and red graphics

HARTFORD, Conn. — Alstom will build 60 new coaches for Connecticut commuter rail service, Gov. Ned Lamont announced today. Delivery of the first cars under the $315 million contract is expected in 2026. The cars are intended for use on the Hartford Line as well as New Haven Line branches. “Having a modernized transit system […]

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Norfolk Southern to open permanent office in East Palestine

Norfolk Southern logo

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — Norfolk Southern will open a permanent field office in East Palestine and has purchased property for that facility, the company announced on Tuesday. The building at 248 North Market Street will include community engagement and operational functions. It will eventually include the Family Assistance Center, currently in space leased from Centenary […]

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New safety commission report revives questions about Metrorail operator certification

Rapid-transit train arrives in station as people wait on platform

WASHINGTON — DC Metrorail instructors did not provide key lessons during training and certified at least one operator who wasn’t tested on crucial safety functions, according to a report from the independent agency that oversees Metrorail safety. The Washington Post reports the information was presented at a Tuesday meeting of the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission […]

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BLET conducting strike vote for NJ Transit engineers

Commuter train approaching station

NEWARK, N.J. — The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen is conducting a strike authorization vote for 500 locomotive engineers employed by NJ Transit, the union announced on Monday. Balloting will be conducted through noon on Aug. 31. The union said in a press release that its contract dispute with NJ Transit dates to 2019 […]

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Massachusetts DOT halts rail project following worker death

Logo of Massachusetts Department of Transportation

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has halted work on a project on state-owned tracks used by the Housatonic Railroad following a fatal accident last week, pending a safety review of the contractor hired for the track work. The Berkshire Eagle newspaper reports DOT spokeswoman Jacquelyn Goddard said in a written response […]

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Metro-North union warns passengers of potential strike

Electric multiple-unit trainset rounds curve

NEW YORK — A union representing Metro-North Railroad employees has handed out flyers to commuters and placed ads in local newspapers warning of a potential strike as soon as September, the newspaper The Hour reports. Members of two locals of Transportation Workers Union, which represents approximately 600 inspectors, mechanics, and coach cleaners, voted last month […]

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