Framed by the road’s trademark color position-light signals, a Baltimore & Ohio freight passes Ashford Junction, N.Y., where B&O’s former Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Railroad lines diverge to Rochester (left) and Buffalo (right). B&O was part of Chessie System at the time of this 1970s photo. Robert E. Gabbey photo […]
Zone & Region: Northeast
DC Metro calls for mediation of disagreement with safety commission over 7000-series railcars
WASHINGTON — The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is again at odds with the independent agency that oversees safety of the Metrorail system, with Metro calling for mediation of a decision by the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission that would prevent more of Metro’s 7000-series railcars from being returned to service. The Washington Post reports that […]
News report describes ‘toxic environment’ at CRRC factory manufacturing MBTA cars
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Massachusetts factory where China’s CRRC is building rapid-transit cars for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is a “toxic environment” where equipment is advanced on the assembly line despite missing parts and workers often wait months for parts to arrive because suppliers have not been paid, according to a Boston Globe report. […]
Northern Massachusetts rail route could cost up to $2.19 billion, according to early stages of study
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A proposed passenger rail service linking North Adams to Boston via the Pan Am Southern route through the Hoosac Tunnel would cost about $2.19 billion according to a presentation last week by Massachusetts Department of Transportation officials. The Berkshire Eagle newspaper reports that the Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study was launched […]
Colebrookedale Railroad trust receives grant for market project
BOYERTOWN, Pa — The Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust, the non-profit group supporting Pennsylvania’s Colebrookdale Railroad heritage operation, has received a $2.25 million state grant for a new event space and market area at the railroad’s yard in downtown Boyerstown. The grant was awarded under Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, which supports acquisition and construction of […]
Steam in the snow
There’s just something special about witnessing steam trains working through winter weather. Watching as huge clouds of hot exhaust condense into steam in the cold air. Come with us for a quick trip across the United States, as we look back on some of our favorite Steam in the Snow moments. If you want to […]
Garden Variety Railroad Show | Snow Week Special
One of the most appealing aspects of garden railroading is the fact it can be enjoyed year-round in the great outdoors! And with the proper equipment at hand, large scale trains can even run in a moderate accumulation of fresh, crystalize precipitation. In this video, you’ll see the efforts a few resilient railway owners made […]
Cleanup continues after Wednesday NS derailment in Maryland
FAIRPLAY, Md. — Cleanup continues after 26 cars of a 96-car Norfolk Southern merchandise train derailed Wednesday night near Fairplay, the Hagerstown Herald-Mail reports. The derailment was reported to NS dispatchers about 8:50 p.m. and to Washington County, Md., Emergency Dispatch at 9:17 p.m. No injuries or hazardous materials were involved. Estimates were that it […]
MTA to build first light rail line for Interborough Express project
NEW YORK — New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority will build its first light rail line under plans announced this week for the Interborough Express project, which will connect Brooklyn and Queens on an existing Long Island Rail Road freight right-of-way that will connect 17 subway lines and LIRR passenger service. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul […]
MBTA operator acquitted of negligence in light rail collision
BOSTON — A Boston jury has acquitted a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority light rail operator of negligence for a July 2021 collision that injured 27 people, the Boston Globe reports. After just 30 minutes of deliberation, the jury found Owen Turner, 51, not guilty of a misdemeanor count of negligence for the July 30, 2021, […]
Ventilation fan issue continues to delay Grand Central Madison opening
NEW YORK — Ventilation-fan issues are continuing to delay the opening of the Long Island Rail Road’s new Grand Central Madison station in Manhattan, with a January start to operations now in jeopardy. The New York Daily News reports Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Janno Lieber said Wednesday that a January start is “possible. But I’m […]
Reading switcher shoves frozen Doodlebug
It could have been a Trains News Wire headline: “Reading switcher shoves frozen Doodlebug.” You won’t believe the story. I awoke and gazed out the window of my home in Coatesville, Pa., to see a veritable torrent of fluffy snowflakes falling. They were burying the landscape of my hometown in a wonderland of whiteness. The […]