News photo: Recently acquired M636 diesel debuts in New York & Lake Erie colors

Two vintage diesel locomotives sitting next to each other

GOWANDA, N.Y. — Montreal Locomotive Works M636 diesel No. 636 debuted May 17, 2025, in its new paint scheme for the New York & Lake Erie Railroad (NYLE). The 1970-built locomotive was acquired by the short line in 2024 from the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad. Initially debuting on the railroad’s Santa Express excursions […]

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NJ Transit, engineers reach deal to end strike (additional updates)

Commuter train on multi-track main line

NEWARK, N.J. — The strike by NJ Transit locomotive engineers is over, with service to resume on Tuesday, May 20. The transit agency and members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen announced this evening (Sunday, May 18) that they reached a tentative settlement to end the walkout that began on Friday. Neither side […]

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NJ Transit, BLET resume talks

Commuter train at junction

NEWARK, N.J. — Talks between NJ Transit and striking engineers resumed today (Saturday, May 17) — a day earlier than originally indicated — but will continue on Sunday, the transit agency said. “Today’s discussions continued to be constructive,” NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri said in a brief statement. “We’ve mutually agreed to adjourn formal discussions […]

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50 years ago in Trains: A 1975 visit to Grand Central Terminal

Cover of the May, 1975 Trains Magazine

Fifty years ago, in the May 1975 Trains Magazine, prolific author William D. Middleton visited New York City’s Grand Central Terminal. His 14 page article opened on a down note, with Middleton writing: Grand Central’s great long-distance trains are gone now. deposed by the airplane and the automobile: and no longer do the rich, the […]

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NJ Transit negotiations with engineers set to resume Sunday

Two commuter trains on curve

ABERDEEN TOWNSHIP, N.J. — The strike by NJ Transit engineers appears destined to last at least through the weekend, as talks between the agency and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen are not scheduled to resume until Sunday, May 18. NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri said at a press conference today that the two sides […]

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Reading & Northern No. 2102 to make three trips as part of 2025 Fall Foliage excursions

Steam locomotive pulling freight cars rounds curve

PORT CLINTON, Pa. — The Reading & Northern has announced its 2025 Fall Foliage excursion schedule, including three trips to be powered by T-1 class 4-8-4 No. 2102. Tickets for the trips will go on sale Tuesday, May 27. Five weekends of excursions are planned, beginning Saturday, Oct. 4, and concluding Sunday, Nov. 2. Trips […]

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Strike shuts down NJ Transit rail service

Train at station

NEWARK, N.J. — Almost two years after voting to do so, NJ Transit locomotive engineers launched a strike today (Friday, May 16) at 12:01 a.m., leaving some 350,000 daily riders without their normal way to and from work. The strike shut down the agency’s 12 commuter rail lines, serving some 166 stations. Buses and light […]

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MBTA, Keolis testing renewable fuel for commuter-rail diesels

MBTA commuter train on bridge

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and its contract operator, Keolis Commuter Services, have begun a pilot program using renewable diesel fuel for some locomotives on the MBTA commuter rail network. The program, announced earlier this week, involves locomotives that layover at Newburyport, Mass., facility at the end of Newburyport branch on the MBTA’s […]

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FRA invites Musk firm Boring Co. to advise on Baltimore tunnel already under construction: news report

Two railroad tracks exiting one tunnel and entering another

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration is seeking input from tunneling firm Boring Co., founded and controlled by Elon Musk, regarding construction of a new Northeast Corridor rail tunnel in Baltimore for which Amtrak has already begun construction activities. The news comes shortly after Amtrak’s decision to eliminate or not fill 450 managerial positions. Earlier […]

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Western Maryland Scenic’s Georges Creek Division Railroad impacted by flooding (updated)

Washed out track nexzt to flooded creek

WESTERNPORT, Md. — The Georges Creek Division Railroad took a devastating hit by Tuesday’s severe flooding to the western Maryland area. The short line, which ceased operations in 2019, was recently leased to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad for passenger and potential freight opportunities [See “Western Maryland Scenic to expand through lease…,” Trains News Wire, […]

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B&O Railroad Museum holds groundbreaking for major improvement project

Rendering of front of brick museum building. B&O Railroad Museum begins $38 million expansion.

BALTIMORE — The B&O Railroad Museum on Wednesday marked the start of work to prepare its campus for the 200th anniversary of American railroading, with a groundbreaking for construction including transformation of the South Car Works Building, the 1869 structure that remained in operation until 1990. That building will be turned into the new museum […]

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NJ Transit cautions passengers to reach destination by midnight

Commuter trains on two tracks of three-track line at station

NEWARK, N.J. — With a potential strike or lockout now less than 24 hours away, NJ Transit is urging customers to reach travel destinations by midnight tonight in order to avoid being stranded at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 16. In a customer advisory posted today (Thursday, May 15), the agency — the nation’s third-largest […]

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