Trains.com recommended reading: Don Phillips, an MTA yard sale, and more

Back after a bit of a hiatus, it’s our latest edition of Recommended Reading: Articles from elsewhere that you might find of interest. First up this time around, former Trains editor Kevin Keefe wrote our obituary of the late, great Don Phillips, but we thought you might also like to see the Washington Post version, […]

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MTA rejects Presidential Emergency Board recommendations in Long Island Rail Road dispute

Electric multiple-unit trainset crosses tracks at junction

WASHINGTON — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said Friday it would not accept the recommendations of a Presidential Emergency Board appointed to address the dispute between the Long Island Rail Road and five unions. The unions, meanwhile, hailed the recommendations issued earlier in the day, which called for raises totaling 14% (uncompounded) over four years, retroactive […]

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MBTA head Eng named interim Massachusetts transportation secretary

BOSTON — Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng has been named as interim transportation secretary for the state of Massachusetts, Gov. Maura Healey announced today (Oct. 16, 2025). He will also continue in his MBTA role. Eng will fill the vacancy created by the decision of Monica Tibbits-Nutt to step down […]

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NJ Transit proposes developing unused land to raise $1.9 billion

Large number of passengers wait on platform for arriving train

NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit could raise up to $1.9 billion for its operations over the next 30 years through development of more than 8,000 acres of unused agency-owned real estate, the transit operator says in a plan released on Wednesday. The proposal dubbed the “LAND Plan: Leveraging Assets for Non-Farebox Dollars” would also address […]

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Communities to provide $650,000 in funding for Chicago-Pittsburgh passenger proposal

Map of rail line between Chicago and Pittsburgh via Columbus, Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Communities represented by two regional commissions, along with the city of Ft. Wayne, Ind., have committed some $650,000 in funding for a proposed Amtrak service linking Chicago and Pittsburgh via Ft. Wayne and Columbus. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission announced the funding, also including backing from the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, on Oct. […]

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Trump suggests Gateway Tunnel project is ‘terminated’ (updated)

Large group of people with oversized check for $6.88 billion

WASHINGTON —New York’s Gateway Tunnel project may be halted, based on a brief comment in a lengthy news conference by President Donald Trump on Wednesday, Oct. 15. While not identifying by name the project to add two tracks under the Hudson River between New Jersey and New York’s Penn Station, Trump suggested it was the […]

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New York begins environmental review process for Interborough Express

Illustration of blue light rail vehicles on double-track line

NEW YORK — The environmental review process has begun for Interborough Express, New York City’s first light rail service, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced on Wednesday (Oct. 15, 2025). The start of the process will include three public meetings to explain the scope of the project and the review process. The first is set for […]

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Wilmington & Western says it will resume operations

Logo of Wilmington & Western Railroad

WILMINGTON, Del. — Heritage railroad Wilmington & Western, which shut down suddenly earlier this year, has announced it is returning to operation, with its first trips scheduled for later this month. A pop-up message on the railroad website says, “After a spring and summer dedicated to maintenance and improvements, we’re ready to welcome back riders. […]

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NJ Transit suspends service on two rail lines because of storm

NJ Transit logo

NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit has suspended service on two commuter rail lines today (Monday, Oct. 13) because of a storm expected to bring heavy rains, strong winds, and potential flooding. An advisory on the agency’s website says North Jersey Coast Line service is suspended between Bay Head and Long Branch — the 10 southernmost […]

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Virginia’s ‘Long Bridge’ project to require five-hour midday work window (updated)

Passenger train arrives at station

WASHINGTON — Starting early next January, no freight or passenger trains will be scheduled to cross the Potomac River between Washington, D.C., and Alexandria, Va., during an 8:15 a.m.-to-1 p.m. window seven days a week for up to five years. This will accommodate construction on a $2.3 billion, four-track bridge being built to replace the […]

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NJ Transit cautions passengers about approaching storm

Commuter train on multi-track main line

NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit has declared a state of emergency beginning at 10 p.m. ET today (Saturday, Oct. 11) in anticipation of a strong storm expected to hit its service on Sunday, Oct. 12, and Monday, Oct. 13, and is advising customers to travel during the storm only if absolutely necessary. Those who are traveling […]

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Reading & Northern offers $10 million for Luzerne County, Pa., rail lines

Map of rail lines in Scanton/Wilkes-Barre, Pa., area

PORT CLINTON, Pa. — The Reading & Northern Railroad has made a $10 million offer to purchase about 60 miles of rail lines owned by the Luzerne County (Pa.) Redevelopment Authority — property currently the subject of litigation between the Authority and the county. Reading & Northern owner and CEO Andy Muller Jr. made the […]

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