New York to provide $150 million to connect LIRR to Long Island’s MacArthur Airport

Aerial view of airport and commuter rail station

RONKONKOMA, N.Y. — The state of New York will spend $150 million to connect the Long Island Rail Road’s Ronkonkoma station with a proposed new terminal at Long Island MacArthur Airport, a facility served by four commercial airlines. The project, announced Wednesday, Feb. 12, by Gov. Kathy Hochul, will include purchase of 48 acres of […]

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A foray into N scale mini-layouts

A pair of locomotives on a model railroad layout

I constructed my first N scale layout in a coffee table in 1976 based on the East Glasstop project railroad series that appeared in Model Railroader from December of 1970 to April of 1971. However, it was not until I retired in 2016 that I completed my second layout, a 5 x 5 foot square […]

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Pioneer Valley Railroad’s Lane named ASLRRA Safety Person of the Year

Head shot of man in coat and tie

WASHINGTON — Matthew Lane, general manager of Pinsly’s Pioneer Valley Railroad in Massachusetts, has been named Safety Person of the Year by the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association. Lane joins Herman Crosson, Anacostia Rail Holdings’ chief safety and compliance officer, in earning the ASLRRA’s top individual safety awards. Crosson was previously announced as […]

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Philadelphia-area transit agencies announce plans for Super Bowl parade (second update)

Map of SEPTA rail network

PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is modifying operations for the Super Bowl championship parade on Friday, Feb. 14 — and will offer free rides on two rail routes thanks to a Philadelphia Eagles sponsor. The parade is set to begin at 11 a.m. at the Eagles’ stadium, Lincoln Financial Field, with a ceremony […]

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Amtrak employee pleads guilty in health-care fraud case

U.S. Department of Justice seal

NEWARK, N.J. — An Amtrak employee in New Jersey has become the latest to plead guilty to participation in a health-care fraud scheme that led more than $11 million in fraudulent claims against the passenger carrier’s insurance. Anthony Saloka, 44, of Elizabeth, N.J., pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Feb. 11, to conspiracy to commit health care […]

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Intermodal train derails in Massachusetts

Map of Pan Am Southern, operated by Berkshire & Eastern

WENDELL, Mass. — Eight cars of an intermodal train operated by the Berkshire & Eastern Railroad derailed today (Feb. 11), the Greenfield Recorder reports. No injuries were reported and no hazardous materials were involved; a Genesee & Wyoming spokesman told WWLP-TV that the train was carrying a mix of commodities. Wendell Police Sgt. Steven Gould […]

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Amtrak adds to list of weather cancellations

Passenger train at station at night.

WASHINGTON — Amtrak has expanded its list of train cancellations because of approaching winter storms, adding one train to the list for today (Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025) and planned cancellations and increasing the list for Wednesday, Feb. 12, from seven to 14. The original group of cancellations was announced Monday at 4:20 p.m. ET [see […]

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Amtrak to pay $505 million to settle control of Washington Union Station

Large open space with ornate arched ceiling

WASHINGTON — Amtrak has agreed to pay $505 million to gain control of Washington Union Station, the Washington Post reports. The agreement, reached last week and subject to approval by a federal judge, will settle a lengthy battle over the passenger operator’s efforts to control the commercial space at the station. Amtrak had gained control […]

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Amtrak announces winter-storm cancellations on Tuesday, Wednesday

Passenger train in snow

WASHINGTON — Amtrak has begun another round of weather-related train cancellations, announcing three cancellations for Tuesday, Feb. 11, and seven for Wednesday, Feb. 12, because of a pair of winter storm forecasts. According to an advisory posted today (Feb. 10, 2025) at 4:20 p.m., cancelled on Tuesday are: — The eastbound Empire Builder scheduled to […]

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Flying Yankee Association sees funds to restore traction motors

Traction motor of streamlined trainset

NASHUA, N.H. — The Flying Yankee Association, which last year became owner of the Budd Co. streamliner built for the Boston & Maine in 1935, is launching a fundraiser its preservation and restoration efforts. Marking the 90th anniversary of the shovel-nosed, articulated trainset — a virtual duplicate of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy equipment that […]

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Five hurt as MBTA Green Line trains collide

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority logo

Green Line train crashed last night. Driver crashed into a stationary train at speed; most were bruised but able to walk out. The rear operator of the train got pretty hurt. She split her forehead and was bleeding and was taken by the EMT. (East Somerville stop.) #MBTA #Boston pic.twitter.com/s4cCGsyTas — Alan Hume (@alanocu) February […]

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