NJ Transit to halt operations on Sunday; other agencies change service (updated)

NJ Transit logo

NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit will suspend all service on Sunday, Jan. 25, because of a severe weather forecast for the agency’s service area. In a press release, NJ Transit said it was taking the step “out of an abundance of caution for the safety of customers and employees,” and in alignment with Gov. Mikie […]

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Amtrak storm cancellations expand to include eastern trains

Train stopped at station in snow

NEW YORK — Amtrak has added additional trains to its list of those canceled because of the major winter storm moving across the central and eastern U.S., with extensive additions for Saturday, Jan. 24, and Sunday, Jan. 25 Canceled today (Friday, Jan. 23), in addition to those previously announced, have been the Crescent between Atlanta […]

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Four plead guilty to charges in Amtrak health-care fraud scheme

U.S. Department of Justice seal

NEWARK, N.J. — Four Amtrak employees have pleaded guilty to charges relating to a health-care fraud scheme, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey has announced — the latest development in a long-running and widespread investigation. Timothy Bogen, 60, of Hamden, Conn., on Jan. 21 pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Madeline […]

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NTSB releases preliminary report on December collision of NJ Transit trains

Locomotive and derailed car of commuter trains

WASHINGTON — A collision between NJ Transit trains occurred on a sharp curve with limited visibility after both trains had been rerouted to avoid downed trees from a storm, according to the National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report on the Dec. 19, 2025, incident in Montclair, N.J. The collision occurred about 6:47 p.m. on the […]

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Pennsylvania DOT awards almost $53 million for freight rail projects

Red, white, and blue end-cab switcher

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation will provide nearly $53 million for 30 rail freight infrastructure projects under a pair of grant programs, PennDOT announced on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Funding will come from the state’s Rail Transportation Assistance Program and Rail Freight Investment Program, which have invested more than $150 million in the state […]

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Three groups shortlisted for Penn Station redevelopment

Exterior view of Penn Station entrance with Madison Square Garden in the background

NEW YORK — Amtrak has released a shortlist of three consortia to be considered for the renovation of New York’s Penn Station. A post on Amtrak’s procurement portal as of Tuesday, Jan. 20, provides a list of three groups and their lead developers: Grand Penn Partners [Macquarie] Penn Forward Now [Fengate] Penn Transformation Partners [Halmar] […]

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Amtrak adds Floridian, Heartland Flyer to list of cancellations (updated)

Passenger train at station

CHICAGO — Amtrak has added the Floridian and Heartland Flyer to its list of trains canceled because of forecasts of extreme winter weather. Subsequent additions to the list include the Lake Shore Limited, Cardinal, and one round trip of the Wolverine. The Chicago-Miami Floridian is canceled in both directions both today and Friday (Jan. 22-23); […]

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Colebrookdale Railroad introduces sensory car

Green heavyweight combine car.

BOYERTOWN, Pa. — The Valhalla, a 1924 Canadian National coach, has become another first for the Colebrookdale Railroad. The car is now a one-of-a-kind, barrier-free, sensory-friendly classroom on rails. “For 15 years, our nonprofit has established a record of doing things differently in service to our community and economic development mission,” says Nathaniel Guest, executive […]

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Outgoing governor signs New Jersey rail regulation bill (corrected)

Union oil train at railroad yard with city skyline in background

TRENTON, N.J. — Outgoing New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has signed into law a bill regulating hazardous-material trains in the state, one of more than 120 bills he approved on his final morning in office. Mikie Sherrill was sworn into office as the state’s new governor later in the day. The bill (A4460/S3389) passed by […]

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CRRC plant in Massachusetts to lay off workers because of customs seizures

Six-car train of rapid-transit equipmen

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — CRRC MA, the Massachusetts affiliate of Chinese rail manufacturer CRRC, will lay off 161 employees beginning March 16 because shells for subway cars being imported from China remain held up by U.S. customs officials. The Springfield Republican reports the company, which employs more than 400 people at its Springfield, Mass., plant, announced […]

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The Naugatuck Valley RR: Operating a ’50s-era layout, step-by-step

An orange model locomotive leads a train over a bridge on a model railroad layout with an autumnal setting

Most modelers can pinpoint the photos, people, events, books, or stories that inspired them to build their model railroads. For me, I can honestly say that my N scale Naugatuck Valley RR started with a lone boxcar – a Micro Trains 40-foot single-door boxcar decorated in New Haven black and orange. I got the car […]

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