Northernmost point on North American rail network to lose service

Map of northern Alberta and Northwest Territories

HAY RIVER, Northwest Territories — Canadian National Railway has begun the process of ending service to Hay River, which currently holds the distinction of being the northernmost point connected to the North American rail network. Cabin Radio reports the railroad filed in May to discontinue service on its Meander River Subdivision between mileposts 354 and […]

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DeLand, Fla., marks opening of SunRail station

Commuter train rounds curve with city skyline in background

DeLAND, Fla. — Ceremonies on Friday, Aug. 9, marked the opening of the DeLand SunRail station, the 17th station on the Orlando-area commuter rail line and the northern endpoint of a 12-mile extension that completes the system as originally envisioned. The West Volusia Beacon reports 300 or more people were on hand for the dedication […]

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Groups sign contract to purchase Saluda Grade

Map of former rail line in North and South Carolina

CAMPOBELLO, S.C. — The organizations seeking to turn the Saluda Grade, once the steepest rail main line in the U.S., into a 31-mile trail, has signed a contract with Norfolk Southern to purchase the right-of-way. The Greenville Journal reports the Saluda Grade Trail Conservancy announced it signed the contract on Monday, Aug. 5. Terms of […]

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Senator introduces legislation for federal oversight of rail bridges

CSX_Blue_Island_Lassen

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) has introduced a bill to give the U.S. Department of Transportation greater oversight of the inspection of railroad bridges, including the ability to investigate claims made by communities that bridges are unsafe. The Rail Bridge Safety and Transparency Act was introduced on Thursday, Aug. 1. U.S. Rep. […]

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Amtrak seeking $300 million in grants for NEC work in New Jersey

Aerial view of rail bridge across other rail lines

WASHINGTON — Amtrak has applied for almost $300 million in federal grants to address infrastructure needs on the Northeast Corridor, including problems with the catenary system that have led to significant delays in recent months, NJ.com reports. The passenger company is seeking $299.7 million through four Federal Railroad Administration CRISI (Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety […]

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MBTA continues progress on track improvements with Red Line project

Maintenance crew working in tunnels of transit system

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s latest extended maintenance shutdown led to the elimination of nine speed restrictions — two more than originally planned — on the rapid-transit Red Line, the MBTA said on Tuesday. The work was conducted between Alewife and Kendall/MIT July 12 and 15-26; from Alewife to JFK/UMass July 13-14 and […]

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Federal grant helps fund rebuilding of Texas branch line

Map detail of rail lines in eastern Texas.

HENDERSON, Texas — A $15 million project to rebuild a former Union Pacific branch line has been announced by the line’s owner, the Rusk County Rural Rail District, and the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority. The Henderson-Overton Branch, an approximately 15-mile line connecting its two namesake communities, has been owned by the district since […]

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Mobile reaches agreement with Amtrak on funding, lease at station site

aerial view of land along railroad tracks near water

MOBILE, Ala. — Amtrak appears to be on the verge of an agreement with the City of Mobile that finally will allow Gulf Coast passenger service to move forward. WALA-TV reports that a spokeswoman for Mayor Sandy Stimpson said the city and Amtrak had finalized language for a funding agreement for Mobile-New Orleans service and […]

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Amtrak restores service after latest NEC interruption (updated)

Amtrak high speed train meets Metro-North electric multiple-unit trainset

NEW YORK —Amtrak service between New York and New Haven has been restored as of 2 p.m. after unscheduled track repairs, the passenger operator said in a 2 p.m. ET post on its website. Newsday, in a paywalled article, reports the problem was a broken rail in the Bronx. This would fit with the supposition […]

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Del Mar fairgrounds votes to oppose rail tunnel proposal

Map of potential rail tunnels in Del Mar, Calif.

DEL MAR, Calif. — The organization that oversees the Del Mar Fairgrounds on Monday formalized its opposition to a proposal to build a rail tunnel beneath the fairgrounds, saying the plan could end a proposal to build affordable housing on the property. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports the 22nd District Agricultural Association board voted unanimously […]

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Amtrak awards contract for East River Tunnel repairs

Inside two-bore tunnel

NEW YORK — Amtrak has awarded a construction contract for major rehabilitation of the East River Tunnel, the connection between Manhattan and Queens that sustained major damage from floodwaters during 2012’s Hurricane Sandy. The East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Project will demolish all existing tunnel system down to the liner before completely restoring the two tubes […]

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New York begins work to replace aging Albany rail bridge

Steel girder bridge over river

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York state has begun work on a new rail bridge across the Hudson River in Albany to replace a structure with portions dating to 1865, and also awarded funding to tear down a deteriorating, vacant warehouse that led to interruptions of rail service in 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced today. The […]

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