Shore Line East adds two round trips, restores Stamford-New London service

Train of electric multiple-unit cars on bridge

NEWINGTON, Conn. — Shore Line East commuter rail service will gain two additional round trips and see the resumption of direct service between Stamford, Conn., and New London as of Monday, Oct. 7, the Connecticut Department of Transportation has announced. Added are westbound trains No. 1633, departing New London at 5:46 a.m. and arriving at Stamford […]

Read More…

Startup company proposes novel way to speed passenger service

Passenger train passing through station platform

Imagine if you could launch faster passenger train service on a dedicated right of way for half the cost of traditional high speed rail — or speed up conventional service by 30% while still running at 79 mph. It’s possible, a startup company claims, to slash transit times by eliminating the station stops that pull […]

Read More…

Restored Lehigh & New England varnish ready to roll

Dark green heavyweight passenger car with end platform

DUNCANSVILLE, Pa. — After a 10-month restoration, former Lehigh & New England office car No. 100 is ready to start carrying first-class passengers for its new owner, the Everett Railroad. After L&NE quit running in 1961, the car served as a restaurant annex near Philadelphia before trolley broker Ed Metka of Windber, Pa., bought it […]

Read More…

InnoTrans show wraps up in Berlin with record numbers

Red and gray passenger car inside building

BERLIN — The global InnoTrans trade fair closed Friday evening, and the organizers have reported record numbers of visitors: at least 170,000 from 133 countries, according to provisional figures, visiting the 2940 exhibitors from 59 countries. Organizers report that about 600 new exhibitors took part – some representing countries never previously never represented, such as […]

Read More…

APTA releases 2024 edition of Public Transportation Vehicle Database

WASHINGTON — The American Public Transportation Assocation this week released the latest edition of its Public Transprtation Vehicle Database, which offers a detailed look at the fleets of approximately 158 transit agencies in the U.S. — accounting for approximately 77% of U.S. transit ridership — as well as six in Canada. The database offers details […]

Read More…

Once-in-a-generation floods hit North Carolina mountain railroads (additional update)

Flood waters and debris at railroad bridge

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Communities along the former Southern Railway and Clinchfield Railroad in western North Carolina have seen record-setting rainfalls in the days prior to Hurricane Helene. Now, tropical weather is pouring additional rainfall into the area, creating what local meteorologists are calling a once-in-a-generation storm. Places along NS’ former Southern S-Line on the French […]

Read More…

CEO of Raleigh-Durham area transit agency resigns, citing stalled commuter rail project

Map of rail line in North Carolina

DURHAM, N.C. — The president and CEO of the transit system for the Raleigh-Durham area has resigned because the commuter rail system he was hired to develop has been postponed indefinitely. The Raleigh News & Observer reports the board of directors of transit agency GoTriangle accepted the resignation of Charles Lattuca on Wednesday. Lattuca joined […]

Read More…

MBTA sets October maintenance shutdowns

Map of rail lines

BOSTON — A series of shutdowns on the rapid transit Orange Line and a week of disruptions for the Mattapan Line trolley operationare the primary focal points for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority track work in October, part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to address a maintenance backlog. Two weekends of shutdowns on the Green Line […]

Read More…

Siemens, Alstom share plans for North American passenger equipment and high speed worldwide

Model of power car and one coach of white and yellow high speed trainset

BERLIN — InnoTrans provides the opportunity for the world’s railway operators to meet the leading train manufacturers in one place, and this works for the media, as well. Trains News Wire has spoken to the two leading European train builders who also are very active in North America at the show in the last two […]

Read More…

FTA issues final directive requiring transit agencies to address worker assaults

Denver_Light_Rail_Lassen

WASHINGTON — The Federal Transit Administration, addressing a 120% increase in assaults against transit workers between 2013 and 2021, has issued a final version of its directive requiring transit agencies to assess and address the risk of such assaults on workers in transit vehicles and at facilities. The agency’s General Directive 24-1, issued Wednesday, covers […]

Read More…

New locomotives launched at InnoTrans

Black and orange European locomotive

BERLIN — A number of European manufacturers have unveiled new locomotive designs, several shown in public for the first time, at the InnoTrans trade fair. Stadler presented the first of its new six-axle freight locomotives for the British market, the dual-mode Class 99, which will be used by the UK’s largest rail freight company, GB […]

Read More…

Amtrak conductors ratify new contract

Passenger train in late afternoon lighting

WASHINGTON — Amtrak conductors and assistant conductors have approved a new seven-year contract agreement by a three-to-one margin, the union representing those more than 2,100 workers has announced. “Our members are a major part of the experience passengers have aboard Amtrak,” said Jeremy Ferguson, president of the Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation […]

Read More…