Biden budget proposal includes $13.5 billion for transit, increased Amtrak funding

Trains Washington Watch logo

WASHINGTON — Transit projects would receive $13.5 billion and Amtrak would get $2.7 billion as part of $88 billion devoted to the U.S. Department of Transportation under the Biden Administration budget proposal submitted to Congress today. “This budget reflects our Administration’s priorities, and responds to our country’s needs,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a […]

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Central Railroad of New Jersey: A history

Streamlined and road-switcher diesel locomotives with freight train

History of the Central Railroad of New Jersey At its peak, the Central Railroad of New Jersey, the self-proclaimed “Big Little Railroad,” operated only about 700 route-miles, but in keeping with its densely populated region, totaled over 1,900 miles of track, two-thirds in New Jersey. CNJ’s Central Division extended from Jersey City to Phillipsburg, on […]

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Ask MR: Should wood running boards be painted?

The roofs of several freight cars are seen in a black-and-white photo of a rail yard

Q: My N scale layout is set in 1933. Several years ago, someone whose railroading knowledge I respect told me that running boards on early freight cars weren’t painted since they would be dangerously slippery when wet. However, all the models I see sold now have the running boards painted the same color as the […]

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Digest: FRA, FTA release key documents on Gateway tunnel project

Amtrak train coming out of tunnel

Release of environmental report, Record of Decision allows Gateway tunnel project to move forward The Federal Railroad Administration and Federal Transit Administration have issued the final Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision on the Gateway tunnel project under the Hudson River, which clears the way for the project to receive federal funding.  “This […]

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Authorities say San Jose shooter had harbored anger about job

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority logo

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Authorities now say the gunman in Wednesday’s mass shooting at a Valley Transportation Authority light rail facility had long been angry about his workplace, something federal officials had discovered well before the shooting. A ninth victim died of injuries from the shooting late Wednesday. The victims, men ages 29 to 63, […]

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Major construction complete on New York’s East Side Access project

Men in hard hats and high-visibility vests at construction site.

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has completed major construction on East Side Access, the $11 billion project bringing the Long Island Rail Road to a new station beneath Grand Central Terminal, and test trains will begin running this summer. New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced the completion of construction work on project […]

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Seatrain at anchor

Railroad car-carrying ship at dock

Seatrain at anchor Wearing the shipping line’s distinctive stylized railroad track funnel markings, Seatrain Georgia and a sister are moored at Edgewater, N.J. The dock crane was fixed, so precise positioning was crucial. […]

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