Digest: NJ Transit says it is 80% of the way to PTC implementation with seven weeks to go

An NJ Transit Bergen County Line train

Friday morning rail news: As deadline nears, NJ Transit says it has 80% of PTC work done NJ Transit has about 80% of its positive train control implementation process complete with seven weeks to go to meet the Dec. 31 deadline, and officials from the transit agency and its primary contractor said again at a […]

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Acela offers $20 fare to boost lagging bookings

Amtrak Acela passenger train

WASHINGTON — A precipitous decline in business travel during the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted an Amtrak “flash” sale celebrating the 20-year anniversary of Acela’s introduction with a $20 fare between any two Northeast Corridor stations served by the high speed train. Billed as the “The Deal of the Decade(s),” the tickets must be booked by […]

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Planned MBTA cuts would end commuter rail service after 9 p.m., on weekends

MBTA purple and silver commuter locomotive. Governor reacts following more close calls on MBTA

BOSTON — Significant cuts to commuter rail service — including an end to service after 9 p.m. and on weekends — are part of plans announced Monday by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to address budget shortfalls resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Some peak and off-peak service would also be eliminated, cutting weekday trains from […]

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Digest: STB receives more filings on Del Mar Bluffs, Pennsylvania short line disputes

Passenger train running on hillside above Pacific Ocean

Friday morning rail news from the Surface Transportation Board: Del Mar’s latest filing asks STB to disregard documents from North County Transportation District The City of Del Mar, Calif., has asked the Surface Transportation Board to disregard the North County Transportation District’s latest filing in the transit agency’s request for a ruling on its maintenance […]

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Digest: Long Island Rail Road, NJ Transit announce commuter schedule changes

Thursday afternoon rail news: Long Island sets schedule changes for Nov. 9 to accommodate trackwork, leaf season The Long Island Railroad will make schedule changes as of Monday, Nov. 9, to accommodate track work, the Main Line Expansion Project, and slippery-rail issues that come with autum leaf falls. The Ronkonkoma Branch will see slight adjustments […]

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Digest: NJ Transit light rail service disrupted by collision, derailment

NJ Transit logo

Late morning rail news: NJ Transit light rail train derailed after collision with vehicle Service on NJ Transit’s Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line was suspended for much of Thursday morning after a train derailed when struck by a motor vehicle. WPIX-TV reports the accident occurred about 2 a.m., suspending service between the Garfield and West Side Avenue stations. […]

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Digest: Former MTA conductor charged for alleged disability fraud

MTA Logo

More Thursday morning rail news: Former NYC Transit conductor charged in disability case A former New York City Transit subway conductor has been accused of grand larceny and related charges for receiving $114,000 in disability funds while working at other jobs. WCBS Radio reports Giovanni Seminerio was facing firing in December 2015 for disciplinary charges, but claimed […]

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The ‘Century’ at Syracuse

Hudson 5363 rolls down Washington Street in downtown Syracuse with an eastbound train. NYC passenger trains used this street trackage until a

In 1928 I was a freshman at Syracuse University. I needed a part-time job, and got one with American Railway Express, Inc., which became Railway Express Agency the following year. I worked at the New York Central’s Syracuse depot on the night shift Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from 5 p.m. until 1 a.m., whenever […]

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FRA grants announced for rail projects in Connecticut, New Jersey, Michigan

FRA logo

WASHINGTON — Connecticut has received $144.9 million in grants for bridge replacement, NJ Transit has received $18.3 million for upgrades to a Trenton passenger station, Michigan has received $15.57 million for improvements to state-owned rail right of way, and San Diego’s North County Transit District will receive $9.8 million for signal and crossing upgrades as […]

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East Broad Top eyes restoration of Coles Valley Branch

ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — The nonprofit organization that now owns the East Broad Top Railroad is considering rebuilding a mountainous branch line that’s been inactive since the 1940s, a move that would provide spectacular ridgetop vistas and increase the number of destinations available to visitors. The nonprofit EBT Foundation, Inc., owner of the historic narrow-gauge […]

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Digest: NJ Transit board told revenue PTC testing is under way on eight of 12 lines

Commuter train approaching station

More Monday morning rail news: NJ Transit PTC extended revenue testing is in progress on eight of 12 lines NJ Transit says it is now testing positive train control on 66% of its track-miles as it works to meet the Dec. 31, 2020, deadline for PTC implementation. NJ.com reports that eight of the agency’s 12 commuter rail […]

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