New York MTA sells branch for conversion to rail trail NEWSWIRE

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has sold a little-used route between Danbury, Conn., and Beacon, N.Y., for conversion in to a rail trail. The conversion will come in the next three years, through a state-funded, $33.6-million design-build contract awarded to Arch Associates LLC, in concert with rail trail design firm McLaren. The MTA […]

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Grant to help in restoration of Lackawanna Cutoff NEWSWIRE

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SCRANTON, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority has been awarded a $400,000 grant for engineering costs associated with restoration of the Lackawanna Cutoff, already under construction in New Jersey. The Local Share Account grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority covers engineering costs for construction of track and structures for the passenger rail project. […]

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NJ Transit to continue shifting funds from capital budget for operations NEWSWIRE

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NEWARK — Harsh realities have overtaken New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s second year at the helm of the nation’s most densely populated state, at least as far as the NJ Transit budget is concerned. The website NJspotlight.com reports that the practice of using capital funds to help pay for daily operations — a practice of […]

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New York shortline plans rare mileage trips on recently upgraded tracks NEWSWIRE

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ARCADE, N.Y. — Visitors to one of New York State’s few tourist railroads have one more shot at a rare mileage trip. On Saturday March 23, the Arcade & Attica ran its first trip to North Java, N.Y., with an excursion train in 30 years. This trip was part of the New York State Maple […]

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NJ Transit faces engineer shortage this summer NEWSWIRE

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NEWARK, N.J. — New Jersey commuters can expect cancellations and delays this summer for a lack of qualified locomotive engineers. After taking a tour of NJ Transit’s Emergency Operation Center in Maplewood, N.J., on Tuesday afternoon, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy told media members present that having just eight graduates in May from engineer training […]

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Ore train on a PRR branch

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In September 1955, Pennsylvania Railroad M1 4-8-2 6894 leads an ore train west at Alexandria, Pa., on the road’s Hollidaysburg & Petersburg Branch, part of a route that enabled mainline trains to bypass Altoona. Unseen at the rear, a 2-10-0 pushes behind the cabin car. Philip R. Hastings photo […]

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Liberty Limited at Baltimore

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GG1 4901’s nose door is ajar as it leads sister 4894 on the Pennsy’s Liberty Limited out of Baltimore in September 1954. The train came in from Chicago behind diesels; the track arrangement at Baltimore required it to be hauled backwards to Washington (note the observation car behind the second G). H. N. Proctor photo […]

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FTA releases Washington Metro to local control NEWSWIRE

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WASHINGTON — More than three years after the Federal Transit Administration took the unprecedented step of assuming direct safety oversight of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Metrorail system, the FTA has returned supervision back to local control. The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, an independent body established by Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia in […]

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MBTA sets meetings on future of historic streetcars NEWSWIRE

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An MBTA PCC streetcar stops in Milton, Mass., in December 2018. The MBTA has proposed replacing the 70-year-old cars. Justin Franz BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority will hold three public meetings in the coming weeks to gather input about the future of Boston’s historic Mattapan-Ashmont High Speed Line. Earlier this year, MBTA officials […]

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Coast Guard will no longer allow rush-hour openings of key Northeast Corridor bridge NEWSWIRE

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Responding to requests from Amtrak, NJ Transit, and New Jersey officials, the Coast Guard will no longer allow opening of the Portal Bridge during rush-hour periods. Russell Sullivan SECAUCUS, N.J. — The U.S. Coast Guard has changed rules regarding the opening of New Jersey’s troublesome Portal Bridge, reducing the risk of disrupted Northeast Corridor service […]

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