A sign of summer: LIRR launches annual ‘Cannonball’ service

Train at platform of underground station

NEW YORK — The Long Island Rail Road launched its “Cannonball” summer service from Penn Station to Montauk, N.Y., on Thursday (May 22), marking a key change in the railroad’s summer schedule that took effect on Monday, May 19. The 4:07 p.m. “Cannonball” train, long a Friday-only operation, added a Thursday train last year. Those […]

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New York governor, Amtrak meet on East River tunnel project

Interior of railroad tunnel

NEW YORK — Amtrak will shut down one tube of the East River Tunnel for major rehabilitation as planned on Friday night, but has agreed to some measures sought by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul during the project, Hochul said in a statement following a meeting today (May 22, 2025) with Amtrak and Metropolitan Transportation […]

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Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway marks 20th anniversary

Passenger train with diesel locomotives at each end on curved bridge

JIM THORPE, Pa. — Memorial Day weekend marks the 20th anniversary of the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, the excursion operation of the Reading & Northern from Jim Thorpe to Lehigh Gorge State Park. Hour-long train rides from Jim Thorpe debuted on the holiday weekend in 2005, with three trips per day at 11 a.m., 1 […]

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MBTA meeting on South Coast Rail is postponed

Commuter train at station

FALL RIVER, Mass. — A public meeting scheduled by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to address issues with its new South Coast Rail commuter service has been postponed because of weather concerns. The meeting, which had been scheduled for this evening at Morton Middle School, will now be held June 5 at a location yet […]

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DC Metrorail gets go-ahead for expanded use of train automation

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

WASHINGTON — DC Metrorail has received the go-ahead to expand its use of Automatic Train Operation to its Green and Yellow lines as of this Friday, May 23. The independent Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, which previously had expressed concern about station overruns with ATO on the Metrorail Red Line, has concurred with the plan, the […]

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Delaware governor seeks to preserve SEPTA rail service into state

Four-car electric multiple-unit trainset

DOVER, Del. — Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer is calling for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to continue service on a commuter rail line that reaches into the state, pledging to help find a method to keep the trains running. The Delaware News Journal reports that Meyer, a Democrat who took office this year, wrote the […]

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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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New tourist rail operation to launch in New York’s Finger Lakes region

Interior of an observation car during a sunset

GENEVA, N.Y. — The Finger Lakes Railway will host a series of family-friendly excursions and adults-only wine-tasting trains this summer. The Finger Lakes Rail Experience is a new collaboration between the short line, FMW Solutions, United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey, Operation Toy Train, Seneca Lakes Wine Train, more than a dozen local wineries […]

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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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MBTA settles suit over death of man dragged to death by train

Rapid transit equipment parked over inspection pit in shop building

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has settled with the estate of a 39-year-old man killed in 2022 when he was dragged by a Red Line train after his arm became stuck in a railcar’s closing doors. The Boston Globe reports that the MBTA settled a negligence lawsuit over the death of Robinson Lalin […]

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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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