NEW YORK — The resumption of weekday Express Acela service to Washington on Monday saw southbound train 2401 leave New York’s Pennsylvania Station at 6:35 a.m. on a two hour and thirty-five minute schedule: it heralded another effort to provide non-stop service, which had been operated sporadically over the last 50 years, by both Penn […]
Zone & Region: Northeast
Obituary: Rick Geist, Pennsylvania railroad advocate NEWSWIRE
Rick Geist ALTOONA, Pa. — Pennsylvania State Rep. Richard Allen “Rick” Geist of Altoona, Pa., a champion of railroading past, present, and future, died of a heart attack while vacationing in Russia late last month. He was 74. A consulting engineer, Geist represented the Altoona area in the State House for 17 terms (34 years), […]
Rebuilt Paoli station opens NEWSWIRE
The rebuilt Paoli, Pa., station opened on Sept. 23. Kitty Laepple PAOLI, Pa. — The Paoli Local has a new home, but lost two of its tracks in the process. The $48 million Paoli Station Accessibility Improvement Project officially opened on Sept. 23. Amtrak and SEPTA officials, as well as state and local dignitaries, cut […]
Rutland review
An eastbound milk train from Ogdensburg, N.Y., passes the joint Rutland/Central Vermont station at Alburgh, Vt., in October 1951, behind green-and-yellow Alco RS3 No. 204. Jim Shaughnessy photo […]
Monongahela monsters
One of Pittsburgh & West Virginia’s seven 2-6-6-4s leads a freight across the Monongahela River at Belle Vernon, Pa., near Pittsburgh. Ralph E. Hallock photo […]
MTA announces first 48 stations to receive accessibility upgrades under capital plan NEWSWIRE
NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced the first 48 subway stations to be upgraded to full accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act under its proposed capital plan for 2020-24. Increased ADA compliance is one of the primary goals of the capital plan outlined earlier this week [see “MTA outlines 2020-24 capital plan,” […]
MBTA to begin Foxborough service in October NEWSWIRE
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — After a five-month delay, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is scheduled to begin a pilot program of commuter rail service to Foxborough on Oct. 21. The 11-month trial, approved last November, was originally slated to begin in May [see “MBTA to begin Foxborough service on trial basis,” Trains News Wire, Nov. 30, […]
Broken axle caused MBTA derailment NEWSWIRE
BOSTON — A broken axle caused the June 11 derailment which has led to long-term disruptions of MBTA Red Line subway operations, the transit agency said in a report issued Monday. Arcing electricity damaged a 27-year-old axle, which fractured and led to the derailment, Boston Magazine reports. The derailment caused extensive damage to signal hardware […]
MTA outlines 2020-24 capital plan NEWSWIRE
Metro-North trains pass a hi-rail maintenance vehicle on the Park Avenue Viaduct near the 125th Street station in Harlem. Reconstruction of the nearly 2-mile-long viaduct is part of the MTA’s capital plan for 2020-24. Ralph Spielman NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced the largest capital plan in its 54-year history on Monday, including […]
SEPTA partners with company to wash commuters’ cars parked at station stops NEWSWIRE
A worker with WashLB cleans a car at a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority station parking lot this week. SEPTA PHILADELPHIA — As a part of its ongoing commitment to customer service and experience innovation, SEPTA is now offering on-site car washing services at select Regional Rail stations. Through a partnership with Philadelphia-based WashLB, Regional Rail riders […]
Photo shoot at EBT is first in a decade NEWSWIRE
ORBISONIA, Pa. — The first East Broad Top Railroad photo event in nearly a decade will offer afternoon and evening shots of a 1918 steam locomotive on the EBT turntable and of the Pennsylvania narrow-gauge railroad’s 1927 gas-electric unit in multiple locations around the Rockhill Furnace yard. Antique vehicles and costumed crew members will be […]
Amtrak announces service offerings for daily nonstop Acela trains between New York and Washington NEWSWIRE
WASHINGTON — Amtrak today announced the unique amenities exclusive to its Acela Nonstop, which begins its inaugural trip on Monday, Sept. 23, including: complimentary coffee, tea water, and a light snack, “at seat” cashless cart service offering a limited menu of snacks and beverages and onboard phone charging kits for sale. Offering non-stop service between New […]
