Four Amtrak-NJ Transit stations to receive makeovers NEWSWIRE

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Four Northeast Corridor stations used by Amtrak and NJ Transit, including Princeton Junction, N.J., will receive makeovers in a program announced Tuesday. Here, a Princeton “Dinky” awaits departure to the Princeton University campus from Princeton Junction in August 2019. TRAINS: David Lassen NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Four stations used by NJ Transit and Amtrak on the […]

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Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway to cease operations NEWSWIRE

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A Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway train prepares to leave the former Central Railroad of New Jersey station in downtown Jim Thorpe, Pa., on Oct. 24, 2018. The Lehigh Gorge Scenic has announced it will shut down in November. Scott A. Hartley PORT CLINTON, Pa. — The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway announced it would cease operations […]

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Metra’s Burlington heritage locomotive makes first run NEWSWIRE

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Video by Chris Guss Metra heritage unit No. 211 sits at the platform in Aurora on Tuesday after arriving from downtown Chicago. Chris Guss CHICAGO — Metra’s newest heritage locomotive, F40PHM-2 No. 211, made its debut Tuesday on BNSF’s Chicago Subdivison when it led a PTC test train from downtown Chicago to Aurora, Ill.. The […]

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Miami-Dade to fund new Virgin Trains station NEWSWIRE

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A Virgin Trains/Brightline train departs MiamiCentral station in January 2019. Miami-Dade County will fund the construction of a new Aventura station about 15 miles north of the downtown station. TRAIN: David Lassen MIAMI — Miami-Dade County commissioners have approved spending $76 million to build a Virgin Trains USA station at the Aventura Mall, a move […]

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NJ Transit to restore Raritan Valley Line’s one-seat service to New York NEWSWIRE

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NJ Transit will restore midday one-seat Raritan Valley Line service to New York’s Penn Station on Nov. 4, meaning train No. 5432, shown here at Westfield, N.J., will no longer terminate at Newark. Ralph Spielman WESTFIELD, NJ — After a hiatus of more than a year, off-peak direct service to New York City on NJ […]

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Remembering Boston & Maine Railroad locomotives

A close up black and white photo of the Boston & Maine Railroad 2-10-2 Santa Fe-type locomotive No. 3021 sitting on the tracks

Starting in October 2019, Classic Trains editors will celebrate the heritage, history, and lore of famed (and infamous) railroads. We start this series with the beloved Boston & Maine. Please enjoy a collection of images located in the David P. Morgan Library archives at Kalmbach Media that include B&M’s iconic locomotives and scarce builder’s photos. […]

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Amtrak begins preparations for Thanksgiving rush, urges early ticket purchases NEWSWIRE

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A Chicago-bound Amtrak Hiawatha passes through Deerfield, Ill., in December 2016. Amtrak is requiring reservations on the Hiawatha and several other corridor routes as part of its preparations for increased Thanksgiving holiday ridership. TRAINS: David Lassen WASHINGTON — Amtrak says it will add capacity on many of its corridor routes for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, […]

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Metra will add sound wall at site of third-track project NEWSWIRE

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An inbound Metra train approaches the site where preparations are under way to add a third track on the Union Pacific West line near River Forest, Ill., in December 2018. Metra has agreed to built a soundwall at the site in response to concerns from adjacent homeowners. TRAINS: David Lassen RIVER FOREST, Ill. — Responding […]

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Metrolink changes add more trains to LA from Orange County, Perris NEWSWIRE

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A Perris-bound Metrolink train climbs out of Riverside in February 2019. Metrolink schedule changes today include an additional Los Angeles round trip on the 91/Perris line. TRAINS: David Lassen LOS ANGELES — Commuter railroad Metrolink will introduce new schedules today, increasing service to Los Angeles on its Orange County and 91/Perris Valley lines and making […]

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VIA to end cash payments aboard eastern trains NEWSWIRE

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A VIA crew member offers food-cart service on a Montreal-Toronto train in 2012. VIA is planning to eliminate cash payments on its eastern corridor trains and the long-distance Ocean. Bob Johnston MONTREAL — Starting Oct. 29, only regular and prepaid credit cards and VIA Rail gift cards will be accepted to pay for food on […]

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Dallas, Fort Worth transit officials explore one-seat ride on systems connecting to DFW Airport NEWSWIRE

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A TEXRail train, offering service between Fort Worth and DFW Airport, passes the station in Grapevine, Texas shortly after the line’s opening in January. Officials from the transit agencies overseeing TEXRail and Dallas Area Rapid Transit are exploring the possibility of offering single-seat service between Fort Worth and Plano, a distance of almost 60 miles, […]

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Meet Amtrak’s new long-distance chief NEWSWIRE

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Amtrak’s new chief of long distance business development, Larry Chestler, poses aboard the cafe car of the Cardinal on Oct. 1. Bob Johnston The Cardinal arrives Chicago on Oct. 5 with one Viewliner sleeper and no Viewliner II diner. Introduction of the diner has been delayed because, according to Chestler, Amfleet II lounge cars are, […]

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