New York MTA sues as federal government moves to end Manhattan congestion tolling (updated)

Woman at podium surrounded by several men

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has quickly filed a lawsuit today in an effort to block federal government revocation of its permission for Manhattan’s congestion tolling program. The move, announced by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, makes good on a campaign promise of President Donald Trump, who last year said he would end congestion […]

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Start-up Lunatrain plans private night trains in East, Midwest

Illustration of sleeping car accomodation

PHILADELPHIA — A new company has announced plans to develop a private sleeper-train service connecting major destinations, and says it aims to have a demonstration unit in the second half of 2026. Lunatrain, which describes itself as “a private, early-stage company,” says it will develop a network of express, non-stop night trains in the Midwest […]

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Amtrak cancels trains in Northeast and Virginia, again scrubs Empire Builder (updated)

Passenger train in area with small amount of snow on the ground

CHICAGO — Add westbound Empire Builder for today (Feb. 19, 2025) to Amtrak’s cancellation list, making for a fifth straight day that the Chicago-Seattle/Portland train will have been cancelled in both directions. The company has also canceled several Northeast Corridor trains today and tomorrow (Feb. 20), as well as Wolverine and Hiawatha trains in the […]

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NJ Transit sets plans for Raritan Valley Line operations during derailment cleanup

Derailed double-stack cars

NEWARK, N.J. — Beginning Wednesday, Feb. 19, NJ Transit will begin a combination of limited train service and bus substitution to replace operations on its Raritan Valley Line, the transit agency has announced. Service was blocked earlier today (Feb. 18) because of the derailment of a Norfolk Southern intermodal train on a section of Conrail […]

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Freight derailment disrupts NJ Transit service (updated)

NJ Transit logo

UNION, N.J. — Commuter rail service on NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Line has been suspended because of the derailment of a freight train, according to an alert on the agency’s website. While media reports identify the incident as a Conrail derailment, the train involved is actually a Norfolk Southern intermodal train operating on Conrail Shared […]

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Weather leads Amtrak to cancel Empire Builder, Borealis, Adirondack (updated)

Train in snow at dusk

CHICAGO — Amtrak has cancelled Empire Builder departures for a third straight day, the company announced early today (Monday, Feb. 17). Also cancelled: both directions of the Borealis, westbound between Chicago and St. Paul and eastbound between St. Paul and Milwaukee, as well as both directions of the Adirondack between Montreal and Albany Rensselaer, N.Y. […]

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Steamtown National Historic Site employees dismissed

Steam locomotive moving between buildings

SCRANTON, Pa. — Five employees at Steamtown National Historic Site have been dismissed as part of cuts to National Park Service employees by the Trump administration, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. David Fitzpatrick, an official with two locals of the American Federation of Government Employees, told the newspaper another five were dismissed at Gettysburg National Military […]

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Empire Builder again cancelled because of weather

Passenger train in snow

CHICAGO — Amtrak has cancelled Empire Builder departures in both directions scheduled for today (Feb. 15, 2025), as well as the eastbound Borealis and one westbound Wolverine. Two Northeast Corridor trains have also been cancelled. The reasons for the cancellations differ. According to posts on the Amtrak Alerts feed on X.com, the Empire Builder slated […]

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Diesel arrives at East Broad Top from Durango & Silverton

ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — West met East here Thursday morning (Feb. 13, 2025) as the East Broad Top Railroad took ownership of former Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad diesel unit No. 1203, an H.K. Porter six-axle locomotive built in Pittsburgh in 1946. After a week-long trip by heavy-haul truck from its last home in […]

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MBTA sets plans for ‘Massachusetts 250’ celebration

Illustration of blue commuter coach with large flag

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has announced plans for a special rail schedule as part of the Massachusetts 250 celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution. The celebration is set for Patriots Day weekend, April 19-20. “The Commonwealth has a rich history, and ‘Massachusetts 250’ is just one […]

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News photo: Diesel from Durango & Silverton arrives at East Broad Top

Diesel locomotive on flatbed truck with East Broad Top building in background

ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — A H.K. Porter diesel acquired from the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has arrived at the East Broad Top Railroad to provide backup power for EBT operations and support expansion efforts. The 80-ton, 3-foot-gauge engine was built in 1946 and operated on US Gypsum’s railroad in Plaster City, Calif., until […]

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