Canadian government approves land expropriation for Lac-Mégantic bypass

Map of Lac-Megantic Bypass

LAC-MÉGANTIC, Quebec — Transport Canada’s request to expropriate land for the planned rail bypass around Lac-Mégantic has been approved, the Canadian government announced Wednesday, setting the stage for the government to take possession of the land on Aug. 1. “We understand how this may be difficult for some,” Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said in a […]

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Transportation Safety Board of Canada remains concerned about uncontrolled rail movements

Transportation Safety Board of Canada logo

GATINEAU, Quebec — Matters regarding unplanned or uncontrolled movements of trains or equipment are the primary unresolved matter in the rail industry for the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, which this week issued its annual assessment of responses to the board’s outstanding safety recommendations. Across air, marine, and rail transportation, the TSB issued 62 recommendations […]

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Sluggish intermodal traffic continues to define rail volume

Weekly table showing U.S. rall carload traffic by commodity type plus intermodal totals

WASHINGTON — U.S. rail traffic continued its recent pattern in the week ending June 10,  with carload volume showing a slight increase while intermodal traffic remained down significantly compared to the same week a year ago. Statistics from the Association of American Railroads show total weekly traffic of 471,141 carloads and intermodal units, a decrease […]

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SEPTA picks up more riders on second day after bridge collapse

SEPTA train near sunset with Philadelphia skyline in background

PHILADELPHIA — Four SEPTA Regional Rail lines saw a ridership increase of 14% on Tuesday, the second day of commuting following the collapse of a bridge on Interstate 95, according to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. The Metro Philadelphia news site reports the Trenton, West Trenton, Fox Chase, and Warminster lines had an increase of […]

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Man pleads guilty in Boston commuter rail fraud scheme

Commuter train passes under pedestrian bridge

BOSTON — One of two men charged in connection with a fraud scheme aimed at the operator of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter trains pleaded guilty on Monday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a press release. John Rafferty, 69, of Hale’s Location, N.H., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud […]

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Pennsylvania’s Northern Central Railway to mark 10th anniversary

Modern recreation of 19th-century steam locomotive at wooden passenger station

NEW FREEDOM, Pa. — A 10th-anniversary “Ages of the Railroad” celebration is scheduled for this weekend, June 17-18, on the Northern Central Railway of York nonprofit tourist line in southeastern Pennsylvania. Highlights will include two operating steam locomotives and a diesel, with a range of passenger trips available over varying stretches of the railroad’s 17.5 […]

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New York tourist railway’s new flatcar has lengthy history

Flatcar with railings and seats added for open-air passenger use

CORINTH, N.Y. — The Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway has introduced its newest piece of equipment, a flatcar that proved to have an extensive and significant history. SC&H car No. 16151 was unveiled on June 3 for the Alco Historical & Technical Society’s annual “Alco Adventure” day. During restoration for use as an open-air excursion […]

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AAR calls for ‘pragmatic’ policies to address climate change

Freight train with two yellow locomotives with small town in distance

WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads on Tuesday issued a report calling for government policies it says can address climate change through “economically grounded solutions” as a partnership with the rail industry. The nine-page white paper report, “Freight Railroads & Climate Change: Reducing Emissions, Enhancing Resiliency,” says policies “must leverage market-based competition, be grounded […]

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Metro-North, Tri-Met honored twice in APTA safety, security, emergency management awards

Electric multiple-unit trainset rounds curve

PITTSBURGH — Metro-North Railroad and Portland’s Tri-Met each were honored twice when the American Public Transportation Association announced its 2023 Rail Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Awards on Teusday. The awards recognize transit organizations for innovative and proactive safety and security programs, and beginning this year include a category to recognize excellence in the management […]

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