Woodstown Central steam locomotive sidelined (updated)

Black and gray steam locomotive with large smoke plume running in woods.

WOODSTOWN, N.J. — Woodstown Central Railroad steam locomotive No. 9, an Alco 0-6-0, suffered an overheated journal on its central axle during the 12 p.m. excursion on April 18. The railroad’s mechanical team determined the damage was beyond in-house repair capabilities at its South Woodstown, N.J., shop. The wheelset has been removed for repairs at […]

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Contractor pleads guilty in bribery case stemming from renovation of Philadelphia Amtrak station

Aerial view of large railroad station next to river

PHILADELPHIA — The owner of an Indiana masonry contractor has pleaded guilty to two federal charges in connection with a bribery case involving renovations at Amtrak’s 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. Mark Snedden, 69, of Munster, Ind., on Wednesday (April 30) entered a plea of guilty to conspiracy to commit federal program bribery and making […]

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Amtrak president says current plan for East River Tunnel is best approach (updated)

Interior of railroad tunnel

WASHINGTON — Responding to criticism on a number of fronts, Amtrak President Roger Harris said the company’s plan for repairs to New York’s East River Tunnel is “the safest, most efficient, reliable, and timely to complete the full rehabilitation … making it the best use of taxpayer investments.” Harris, in a three-page letter dated May […]

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New terminal serves New York City construction projects

Drone view of terminal for fly ash distribution in New York City

LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. — A new terminal to bring low-carbon cement alternatives to the New York City area, to be served by the New York & Atlantic Railroad, has opened in Queens, N.Y. The Blissville Rail Terminal, to be operated by Precision Terminal Logistics, celebrated its grand opening Tuesday, April 29. It will allow […]

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NJ Transit releases contingency plan for possible rail strike

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

NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit is urging customers to work from home if possible and limit travel on its system to “essential purposes only” in the event of a strike by locomotive engineers, which could come as soon as Friday, May 16. The transit agency today (April 30) released a contingency plan for a potential […]

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Massachusetts legislators investigating South Coast Rail issues

Purple and black locomotive at station platform

BOSTON — A Massachusetts Senate committee has announced an investigation into the early operating issues on the South Coast Rail project that opened last month, saying responses to date “lacked specific assurances to riders and the public at large.” The Bedford (Mass.) Standard-Times reports that Sen. Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford), chair of the Senate Committee […]

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Pennsylvania legislators to propose new funding for transit

Four-car electric multiple-unit trainset

HARRISBURG, Pa. — With transit agencies in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh both warning of catastrophic service cuts without additional state funding, two Pennsylvania state senators have announced plans for legislation to help fund transit statewide. State Sens. Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia) and Lindsey Williams (D-Allegheny) are proposing creating funding from three sources: — A 6% excise fee […]

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Cumberland & Knox is new name for Maine Switching’s Rockland Branch

Red locomotive switching at industrial site

BRUNSWICK, Maine — Maine Switching Services on Monday (April 28) finalized a lease agreement with Maine’s Department of Transportation that will allow freight operations to resume on the 56.6-mile, state-owned former Maine Central branch between Brunswick and Rockland, Me. The operating entity will be known as the Cumberland & Knox Railroad (CKRR), named for the […]

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News photo: Carload Express takes over Maryland & Delaware

Maroon end-cab switcher with hopper cars

FEDERALSBURG, Md. — Shortline company Carload Express has officially assumed control of the Maryland & Delaware Railroad, a move approved by the Surface Transportation Board earlier this year. The transaction — approved by the STB in a decision announced Jan. 2 — became official on April 23. The railroad’s rebuilt Alco RS3m locomotives have been […]

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New York governor asks Amtrak to reconsider East River Tunnel plans (updated)

Interior of railroad tunnel

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is calling for Amtrak to revise its plans for East River Tunnel repairs in light of cuts to Empire Service operations that began on Monday, as well as concerns about the impact on Long Island Rail Road commuters. Also, one of New York’s members of Congress has […]

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Riding Amtrak’s Palmetto

Passenger train at a station platform

Summary: This article discusses riding Amtrak’s Palmetto, which runs an 829-mile route between New York City and Savannah, Georgia. It highlights the Palmetto‘s unique characteristics as a long-distance train without dining cars or sleeping accommodations. The article also delves into the train’s history, including its origins in 1976, its various route changes and service adjustments […]

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Amtrak schedule revisions to begin on Empire Service route

Passengers crowd station platform next to train

NEW YORK — After two reprieves, Amtrak service changes on its Empire Service route north of New York City are set to begin on Monday, April 28. The schedule revision will see suspension of one round trip: train No. 238, an 11:40 a.m. departure from Albany, and No. 235, a 3:15 p.m. train from Penn […]

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