News photos: South Shore runs simulated schedule tests on new branch

MUNSTER, Ind. — One aspect of the Federal Railroad Administration’s certification process for any new passenger route before revenue service begins is to supervise simulated scheduled operations. These replicate actual service except for a lack of passengers. Wednesday and today (Feb. 4-5), Northern Indiana Commuter Transit District personnel began those tests along the 8-mile Monon […]

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Amtrak cancels 20 trains today, Friday on Northeast Corridor

Amtrak logo.

NEW YORK — Amtrak has experienced another significant round of equipment-related train cancellations, with some 20 trains scrubbed before the start of operations today (Feb. 5) on the Northeast Corridor. The same 20 trains will also be cancelled on Friday (Feb. 6). Early today, the company announced the cancellation of seven Acela trips, 10 Northeast […]

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Connecticut governor’s budget would maintain current levels of rail service

HARTFORD, Conn. — Commuter rail service in Connecticut would remain at current levels under the fiscal 2027 budget plan introduced Wednesday, Feb. 4, by Gov. Ned Lamont. The budget, which would take effect this July 1, calls for a funding increase of $19.66 million for rail service and $9.4 million for buses, as costs “continue […]

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GO Transit disruptions continue; normal service to resume Saturday (updated)

Toronto GO Transit logo

TORONTO — GO Transit’s operating problems from a Monday derailment will extend into a fifth day, with the commuter rail service continuing to run a reduced schedule through Friday, provincial transit agency Metrolinx said this afternoon (Thursday, Feb. 5). The regular schedule is now projected to resume on Saturday, Feb. 7. “Our crews are continuing […]

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Amtrak fear of competition may have torpedoed Metro-North service to Albany, MTA CEO says

Silver and blue locomotive with commuter train passing under bridge. Amtrak fear of competition may have torpedoed Metro-North service to Albany, MTA CEO says.

ALBANY, N.Y. — Plans for Metro-North Railroad to operate trains between Grand Central Terminal and Albany may have run aground because Amtrak feared competition from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, MTA CEO Janno Lieber said in an interview this week. Appearing on public broadcaster WCNY’s Capitol Pressroom podcast during a visit to Albany to testify on […]

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New York, New Jersey sue over Hudson tunnel funds

Tunnel portals in construction area

NEW YORK — Officials in New York and New Jersey filed suit against the Trump administration on Tuesday evening, Feb. 3, over funds being withheld for the Hudson River Tunnel project, the second action in as many days to try to free funding before the project must shut down. New Jersey’s acting Attorney General, Jennifer […]

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Flaws in worker protection led MARTA employee to be struck by train: NTSB

Diagram of site of accident on rapid transit system

WASHINGTON — Insufficient track protection for a maintenance project along the right-of-way was the probable cause for an accident that saw a worker struck by a Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority train in an Oct. 19, 2024, incident, the National Transportation Safety Board said in an investigation report released today (Feb. 4, 2026). The employee […]

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Hyundai Rotem to build new light-rail vehicles for Edmonton

Rendering of white light rail trainset with blue and gray stripes. Hyundai Rotem to build new light-rail vehicles for Edmonton.

EDMONTON, Alberta — Korean manufacturer Hyundai Rotem has signed a contract to build 32 light rail vehicles for the Edmonton Transit Service, its second order for Edmonton. The contract was signed Tuesday, Feb. 3, in Edmonton, CTV News reports. Design will begin later this year with deliveries in 2029 and 2030. The trainsets are part […]

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Former Amtrak CEO Gardner joins consulting firm

Man at podium

NEWARK, N.J. — Former Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner has joined financial consulting firm Telos Advisors, which describes itself as specializing in complex transportation and infrastructure projects. Gardner will join the company’s strategic advisory board, the company announced on Tuesday, Feb. 3. “Stephen is a seasoned transportation expert with deep experience in railroading and federal transportation […]

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Amtrak ‘weather-related’ cancellations extended

Crew members talking next to locomotive on station platform

CHICAGO — Amtrak has extended cancellations on a number of Midwestern routes for several days following a week of well-publicized ice storms and heavy snows. Those conditions caused thousands of airline cancellations nationwide, as well as the suspension of the City of New Orleans and Texas Eagle for days through the central U.S. [see “Amtrak […]

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Gateway Commission sues Trump administration over Hudson Tunnel funding

Construction work in Hudson Yards area of Manhattan

NEW YORK — The Gateway Development Commission, overseer of the Northeast Corridor’s Hudson Tunnel Project, has sued the Trump administration over its withholding of project funds, which could cause construction to stop at the end of this week. The suit filed Monday, Feb. 2, in the Court of Federal Claims, says the Department of Transportation […]

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