Two WMATA workers charged, five plead guilty in health-care fraud case

U.S. Department of Justice seal

WASHINGTON — What is it about rail operations and health-care fraud? Two train operators with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority were arrested Friday on charges relating to a scheme to submit fraudulent health insurance and short-term disability claims for non-existent ailments, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has announced. Michelle Shropshire, […]

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News photos: Metro-North unveils seventh heritage locomotive

Side view of the MTA Central locomotive

NORTH WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — The Metro-North Railroad has unveiled the seventh unit in its heritage locomotive series and the first to be repainted, rather than wrapped. The scheme on MN P32AC-DM 203 replicates the image applied to seven Conrail FL9s in 1980 when New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority funded their rebuild by General Electric […]

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DC Metrorail still seeking cause of automated operation overruns

Rapid transit train in underground station

WASHINGTON — Expanded DC Metrorail operations using Automatic Train Operation have gone smoothly, but the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission says more testing is still needed to determine the cause of station overruns. WUSA-TV reports that commission members were told during a meeting on Tuesday (June 10) that there were 25 overruns in the first 10 […]

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LIRR service to Grand Central Madison resumes after fire

Firefighter working in smoke-filled area

NEW YORK — The Long Island Rail Road has resumed service to Grand Central Madison following an electrical fire that injured four people — three of them firefighters — and shut down operations into the station for almost seven hours. The MTA said in a press release that service resumed at 2:41 p.m. ET following […]

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NJ Transit engineers ratify new contract

Two commuter trains on curve

NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit engineers have ratified a new agreement, ending a five-year contract dispute including a three-day strike in May. Neither side immediately released details of the seven-year deal, retroactive to 2020. But the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen said it includes a pay increase that will raise hourly wages to more […]

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Reading & Northern promotes Raffa to EVP marketing and sales

Head shot of man with mustache in pink shirt

PORT CLINTON, Pa. — The Reading & Northern Railroad has promoted Jim Raffa to executive vice president, marketing and sales, the company has announced. In his new position, Raffa will assist CEO Andy Muller and President Wayne Michel in creating and implementing the company’s commercial strategy. The R&N has seen freight traffic increase more than […]

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C&O No. 614 restoration to begin after arrival at Strasburg

Steam locomotive being pulled by diesel on bridge

STRASBURG, Pa. — Not even the dreary weather put a damper on the arrival of Chesapeake & Ohio No. 614 at the Strasburg Rail Road on Sunday (June 8, 2025).  The Class J3a 4-8-4 arrived in style during the afternoon, as 2-10-0 No. 90 escorted the locomotive along the tourist railroad’s main line from its […]

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News Wire Recommended Reading: rail stories from India to Illinois

Commuter train changing tracks

The latest edition of News Wire Recommended Reading ranges around the world, looking at everything from a new rail line in India to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s long, strange trip to replacing some of its rapid transit equipment. — The New York Times provides a look at India’s new rail line to Kashmir, which […]

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LIRR workers disciplined for timecard abuse

Blue and yellow diesel pulling commuter train

NEW YORK — Four Long Island Rail Road employees at the Hillside Maintenance Complex in Queens have been disciplined for timekeeping abuse discovered by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Office of Inspector General, Inspector General Daniel G. Cort announced. Three of the employees were suspended for periods ranging from 120 days to nine months, while a […]

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MBTA holds meeting on South Coast Rail issues

Purple and black locomotive at station platform

FALL RIVER, Mass. — Residents voiced complaints about unreliable service and noise from idling trains on Thursday at a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority public meeting about early issues with the South Coast Rail service that debuted in March. The Fall River Herald News reports that about 100 people were on hand for a meeting with […]

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NJ Transit begins procurement process for new maintenance facility

NJ Transit logo

NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit is beginning the process of building a new rail maintenance-of-way equipment facility in Clifton, N.J., preparing a Request for Qualifications this month, pending approval from the state comptroller’s office. The Request for Qualifications for Special Prequalification will be the initial step in a two-phase procurement process to select a team […]

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