Pittsburgh pursues grant to replace light rail equipment

Gray light rail trainset

PITTSBURGH — The city’s transit agency has applied for a $100 million federal grant as part of its process to replace its current fleet of light rail vehicles, the Pittsburgh Union Progress reports. Pittsburgh Regional Transit is looking to replace its entire 81-car fleet of 53 cars built by Siemens AG in the 1980s, with […]

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Agency awards contract for Reading-Philadelphia passenger study

Logo of the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority

READING, Pa. — The agency working to launch Amtrak service between Reading and Philadelphia has approved the hiring of a consultant to work on the study required as part of that process. WFMZ-TV reports that the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority voted on Monday to award a contract to infrastructure consulting firm AECOM to begin […]

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Festive Train Rides at Valley Railroad, Essex, Connecticut

Experience the enchantment of the holiday season in Essex, Connecticut. Join the festive North Pole Express at Valley Railroad, where the magic of Christmas comes alive. With sold-out trains and staggering demand, this seasonal tradition has become a vital part of the community, attracting thousands eager to share in the joy. […]

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SEPTA, police officers reach tentative agreement, ending strike

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority logo

PHILADELPHIA — Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority police returned to work Saturday afternoon, Dec. 16, after reaching a tentative contract agreement with the transit agency, ending a strike that began on Wednesday, Dec. 13. Members of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 109 and SEPTA’s board must still ratify the agreement; no information on the […]

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Pennsylvania DOT awards $42.5 million to fund 25 freight rail projects

Logo of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has awarded $42.5 million to help fund 25 freight rail infrastructure projects on short lines and with shippers within the state, the agency announced on Wednesday. The state’s share in the projects ranges from $7.6 million to $84,000 and will be funded through the Rail Transportation Assistance […]

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Maryland’s MTA creates website for updates on Baltimore light rail shutdown

Yellow and white light rail trainsets in yard

BALTIMORE — The Maryland Transit Administration has launched a web page to provide information on the ongoing suspension of light rail service, shut down since Dec. 8 because of issues with the railcar fleet. The page, available here, includes maps on the shuttle bus operation that is replacing the light rail service, and will provide […]

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NJ Transit to resume regular service on Morris & Essex line

NJ Transit logo

NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit will resume regular operations on its Morris & Essex line on Friday, Dec. 15, following completion of catenary repairs near Mount Tabor, the transit agency has announced. Service has been significantly disrupted — with some trains cancelled, others rerouted, and others making additional stops — since catenary supports were knocked […]

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Philadelphia-area transit police go on strike

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority logo

PHILADELPHIA — Police for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority have gone on strike, with the nation’s sixth-largest transportation agency calling on other law-enforcement bodies to fill in throughout the system. WHYY reports 83 of 124 members of the Fraternal Order of Transit Police Lodge No. 109 voted to strike, with Troy Parham, the organization’s first […]

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MBTA approves new four-year contract with Machinists Union

Logo of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority board of directors has approved a new four-year contract with International Association of Machinists Lodge 264, including an overall pay raise of approximately 18% over the life of the contract, as well as several provisions intended to improve worker retention. The contract approved on Wednesday, Dec. 13, is […]

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Some service restored on NJ Transit Morris & Essex line

NJ Transit logo

NEWARK, N.J. — Service has been partially restored on NJ Transit’s Morris & Essex line, disrupted since Dec. 4 because of an accident that knocked down support poles for the route’s catenary system. Service resumed on Wednesday, Dec. 13. Through at least today (Dec. 14), two early trains — eastbound No. 626 and westbound No. […]

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CNJ No. 113’s centennial year concludes with annual Santa Train excursions

Steam locomotive and vintage passenger cars at station

MINERSVILLE, Pa. — In what has become an annual tradition, Central Railroad of New Jersey No. 113 provided steam power for last week’s Santa Train out of Minersville. The 1-hour excursions are organized by Railway Restoration Project 113, the nonprofit organization that owns the 1923-built 0-6-0 of the American Locomotive Co. Snow throughout the Keystone […]

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