PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority reached agreement with its largest union on Friday, averting a strike that could have begun today. Philly Voice reports Transport Workers Union Local 234, which represents 5,000 workers, agreed to a deal including a 3% raise; pandemic bonus of up to $2,200, based on hours worked between March […]
Zone & Region: Northeast
DC Metrorail service reductions to continue through at least Nov. 15
WASHINGTON — DC Metrorail service will remain at reduced levels through at least Nov. 15, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced at a Thursday board meeting, although the agency will work to increase the number of available cars. WMATA had previously said the reduced service would continue through at least Oct. 31. Under the […]
Camelback ‘Comet’
Camelback Comet Jersey Central Camelback 592 (now preserved in Baltimore) pinch-hits for a regularly assigned 4-6-2 on the Blue Comet at Hammonton, N.J., in the 1930s. With drivers up to 86 inches, Atlantics ruled on fast trains in the 1890s and 1900s before Pacifics superseded them. Granville Thomas photo […]
Metrorail cars with known axle defect continued to operate after Oct. 12 derailment
WASHINGTON — DC Metrorail officials were aware of axle defects in two cars that remained in service after an Oct. 12 derailment, the Washington Post reports, with the cars withdrawn only when the independent agency that reviews Metrorail ordered those cars and all other 7000-series vehicles out of service. The information was reported at a […]
Baldwin ‘Babyface’ locomotives: Diesels that didn’t
Baldwin diesel locomotives history Established in the 1830s, Philadelphia’s Baldwin Locomotive Works was one of America’s oldest and largest locomotive builders. Baldwin steam engines were known for their high quality and good looks. But many of its internal combustion efforts could be classified as “diesels that didn’t.” Along with fellow steam builders Alco and Lima, […]
Remembering Reading Company locomotives
All through October, Classic Trains editors are celebrating the gritty, coal-hauling, Pennsylvania-based Reading Company railroad. Please enjoy this photo gallery of Reading freight trains selected from the image archives of Kalmbach Media‘s David P. Morgan Library. Reading Company, as a railroad, disappeared into Conrail more than 40 years ago. But it is still possible to […]
SEPTA transit union authorizes strike
PHILADELPHIA — A union representing about 5,000 employees of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority has authorized a strike if current contract negotiations break down. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports about 1,000 members of Transport Workers Union Local 234, the largest union for SEPTA employees, authorized the strike on a voice vote Sunday morning. The union’s current […]
Reduced DC Metrorail service to continue through at least Oct. 31
WASHINGTON — DC Metrorail operations will remain limited at least through the remainder of this week, as the agency continues to deal with an equipment shortage triggered by the sidelining of its 7000-series railcars. The Washington Post reports Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority General Manager Paul J. Wiedefield said Friday the current reduced service levels […]
Groundbreaking marks start of Baltimore Penn Station project
BALTIMORE — Officials from Amtrak, the city of Baltimore, and the state of Maryland held a groundbreaking ceremony Friday to mark the start of a $150 million project to redevelop Baltimore Penn station, which will see the structure turned into a mixed-use development including office, retail, and residential and hotel space. WYPR-FM reports Amtrak President […]
MBTA conductor sues over injuries, blaming defective car door
BOSTON — A Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority conductor is suing the operator of MBTA commuter trains, saying a defective door caused the partial amputation of one finger. The Quincy (Mass.) Patriot Ledger reports the suit by Quincy resident Allen Chin is one of eight against contract commuter operator Keolis over the last six years over […]
News photo: Amtrak Chargers on the move
PERRYVILLE, Md. — Amtrak’s first two Siemens ALC42 Charger long-distance locomotives, No. 300, in the interim “Phase VI” paint scheme, and No. 301, in the “Day One” scheme, are pulled through Perryville by an ACS64 on Thursday, in a deadhead move from Amtrak’s Wilmington, Del., shops to Washington. From there, they are reportedly headed to […]
Whippany museum restores 2-8-0 to Morris County Central paint scheme
WHIPPANY, N.J. — A well-known artifact of 1960s and 1970s tourist railroading has been restored to its appearance from that era. Whippany Railway Museum’s 1907 Baldwin-built Southern Railway Class H4 2-8-0 No. 385 has been repainted into the green and gold scheme it wore for the Morris County Central tourist railroad 50 years ago. The […]