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Almost one year to the day after Hurricane Helene wiped out much of CSX’s Blue Ridge Subdivision between Erwin, Tenn., and Spruce Pine, N.C., this portion of the former Clinchfield Railroad was placed back in service. On Thursday morning, September 25, 2025, coal train C758 (Bailey, Penn.-Terrill, N.C) departed Erwin, and rolled south through a ceremonial ribbon placed at the Poplar, N.C., bridge over the Nolichucky River. It was a welcome site to CSX employees and contractors, who worked tirelessly through this $450 million, 60-mile-long rebuilding project.

It was also fitting that CSX assigned its Clinchfield heritage unit, ES44AH 1902, to lead the train out of Erwin. This locomotive had been brought into Erwin five days earlier on Train U248, an extra local called out of Bostic, N.C., to work a couple of customers along the route. As of opening week, CSX had several other unit trains planned to traverse the Blue Ridge Sub, such as coal train C404 (Danville, W.Va.-Brice, N.C.). Manifest traffic, one to two trains each way daily pre-flood, was expected to resume in early October.

—Scott Lindsey

The post CSX Blue Ridge Subdivision Reopens appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

Track circuits are legacy (“old” or “traditional”) technology—or are they? That’s a topic to be explored at Next-Gen Rail Systems, the communications, signaling and advanced technology conference presented by Railway Age, and formerly known as Next-Gen Train Control. Craig Daniels, Vice President, Business Development at conference sponsor KB Signaling, will explore why “even though track circuits have a long history, they provide much more than just train detection.”

“KB Signaling’s audio frequency track circuits provide modern, digital technology while maintaining compatibility with existing systems,” Daniels explains. “This is a next-generation technology that expands what track circuits can do. Multiple railways in the U.S. are live with this new technology; they appreciate gaining new capabilities without a complete overhaul to their train control. In most markets, a fixed-block signaling system offers similar design headways compared to moving-block; the constraints that drive operational headways up are most often external to the train control system. Our electronic coded DC track circuits are the standard for the freight market and continue to gain more intelligence. For example, our ElectroCode 6 track circuit allows true date transmission over the rails. Our Wayside Intelligence platform can monitor rail temperature and provide advanced diagnostics to crossings. We’re developing software to detect rail buckles and ballast washouts, among other developments.”

KB (Knorr-Bremse) Signaling, which acquired the legacy products of Alstom Signaling in 2024, traces its roots to General Railway Signal (GRS), established in 1904 with the merger of three companies: Pneumatic Signal Company of Rochester, N.Y.; Taylor Signal Co. of Buffalo, N.Y., and Standard Railroad Signal Company of Arlington, N.J. In 1923, GRS acquired Federal Signal Company of Albany, N.Y. GRS was one of the 30 stocks when the Dow Jones Industrial Average was expanded from a 20-stock average on October 1, 1928. In 1965, General Signal Corporation (GSX) was created with the intent to diversify into areas other than railway signaling. GRS was a wholly owned subsidiary of GSX. In 1989, GRS was acquired by the Italian company Sasib and joined the Sasib Railways group. In 1998, it became part of Alstom, when Alstom acquired Sasib Railways. In 2024, KB Signaling was acquired from Alstom, including the unit’s complete North American conventional signaling portfolio, sales, service and manufacturing operations. It joined the freight and transit groups to round out Knorr-Bremse’s rail business units in North America.

This year’s conference offers a bonus for attendees: A special tour hosted by PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) spotlighting advanced technology the agency is developing and deploying on its 72 new Kawasaki railcars, fare collection systems and other customer interfaces. The tour, available on a first-come, first-served basis, occurs Oct. 29. Stay tuned for details.

“Next-Gen Rail Systems expands the focus of Next-Gen Train Control, the communications, signaling, and advanced technology conference presented by Railway Age since 1995,” saysEditor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono. “The new name reflects the evolving state of rail technology. Over the years, rapid technological developments such as AI (artificial intelligence), deep data analysis, machine learning, cybersecurity and telematics have transformed train control to become just one element of a complex, integrated platform. That’s why we’ve expanded the program to encompass the entire system. Sessions will examine how signaling and train control is constantly undergoing improvements and enhancements that deliver better safety, functionality, interoperability, versatility, and reliability, at lower life-cycle costs.

“Next-Gen Rail Systems is an essential gathering for all those involved in the growing rail systems market—whether your focus is transit, main line passenger, or freight. We are proud to present a rebranded, expanded event that features the same in-depth technical sessions and comprehensive project updates that attendees have come to expect. This conference, since its inception, has always been a ‘must attend’ event.”

Among the leading experts in the NGRS lineup are keynote speaker Tom Prendergast, CEO of Gateway Development Commission; Kris Kolluri, President and CEO of New Jersey Transit; Mario Peloquin, President and CEO of VIA Rail Canada, Andy Byford, Senior Vice President and Senior Board of Directors Advisor, Penn Station New York; Dustin K. Lange, P.E., Senior Director of Engineering, Norfolk Southern, Mark Salsberg, Co-Principal of WDG Consulting; Michael Godfrey, Co-Principal and Chief Technology Officer, WGD Consulting; Matthew Kim, Assistant Vice President Enterprise Strategy, Canadian Pacific Kansas City; Wilson Milian, P.E., President and CEO of Milian Consultants, LLC; Pete Tomlin, Independent Consultant, Jonathan Kirby, Senior Director, NJT PTC, New Jersey Transit; Clarelle DeGraffe, General Manager, PATH; Steven Vant, Chief Signal Engineer, Conrail, Mike Palmer, Senior Project Manager, Parsons; Brian Yeager, Director Advanced Technology & Train Reliability, Norfolk Southern; Yousef Kimiagar, Vice President, Institution of Railway Signal Engineers; and Catherine Campbell-Wilson, Principal, StrategyFive.

Register now for Next-Gen Rail Systems, to be held Oct. 30-31, 2025, in Jersey City, N.J.

Railway Age conferences are known for providing valuable opportunities: networking with professionals from around the world; learning about innovative approaches to implementing advanced technologies; discovering new methods for procurement and contracting; providing input on standards development; becoming better-informed about ongoing and planned projects; and discovering what regulations are coming and how they could impact business.

Industry support for Next-Gen Rail Systems is strong, including sponsorships from: 4AI Systems, Alstom, CSA – Critical Systems Analysis, Druid Software, Hitachi Rail, HNTB, KB Signaling, Milian Consultants, LLC., Parsons, Piper, SATS, and Siemens Mobility. To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Jonathan Chalon at jchalon@sbpub.com or (212) 620-7224.

The post NGRS Conference: ‘What’s Old is New Again’ appeared first on Railway Age.

With more than two decades of experience in transportation, maritime, and freight infrastructure, Evett took on the role Sept. 25. He served previously as Chief Engineering Officer at the Port of New Orleans; Project Manager at Volkert, Inc.; and Quality Control Systems Manager at Shaw Environmental, where he led Quality Assurance for a $1.3 billion flood control project. He began his career as a Design Engineer at the Texas Department of Transportation.

Evett’s leadership “has driven transformative greenfield and brownfield developments, including design and permitting for the $1.8 billion Louisiana International Container Terminal,” according to Patriot Rail, an operator of short line and regional railroads, transloading, and other rail services companies. He also brings extensive experience coordinating with Class I’s, state Departments of Transportation, federal agencies, and local stakeholders “to align infrastructure with national freight and economic priorities,” the company reported.

Evett holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Alabama A&M University and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Louisiana.

“Tony Evett brings a rare combination of technical expertise, strategic vision, and collaborative leadership to Patriot Rail,” said Brandy Christian, CEO. “His extensive expertise in infrastructure and multimodal logistics—combined with his skill in stakeholder coordination—will make him a key driver of our growing industrial development priorities. Tony’s strategic alignment of engineering initiatives with economic growth is a major asset to our team.”

“It’s an exciting time to join Patriot Rail, and I look forward to contributing to the company’s continued success,” Evett said.

Also, don’t miss Patriot Rail SVP Commercial Jenni Benton at the 2025 Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail Conference, to be held Oct. 15-16. She will be part of a distinguished panel of freight, transit, and engineering experts discussing their career journeys and how they have risen to leadership positions. Our third-annual in-person Women in Rail Conference will be filled with dynamic panels, a celebratory luncheon for Railway Age 2024 Women in Rail and RT&S 2025 Women in Railroad Engineering award honorees, and the chance to network with a wide-reaching group of like-minded professionals. All this will take place at a new, larger venue: Hyatt Regency Schaumburg in Illinois. 

• Patriot Rail Unveils Fourth Excursion Train
• Patriot Rail Refreshes its Branding
• First Patriot Rail Locomotive Arrives at Rocky Mountain Rail Park
• BNSF Opens New Salt Lake City Intermodal Facility

The post Anthony Evett Joins Patriot Rail appeared first on Railway Age.

A new rail-served warehouse is now open in Kincheloe, near Sault Ste. Marie, thanks to Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation – Michigan, CN recently announced in a LinkedIn post. “Northern Michigan businesses now have direct access to CN’s North American network. Welcome to our newest customer, Maple Transport Inc.,” CN said.

“A huge shoutout to our CN railroaders and supply chain partners who made this happen. This warehouse is a launchpad for powering business growth, creating jobs, and opening opportunities,” the Class I wrote in the post.

On Sept. 12, CPKC welcomed nine new members into the Broken Wheel Club at a special awards dinner in Calgary. Since 2018, this recognition has gone to railroaders who spotted broken wheels on both on and off the job, preventing incidents before they happen.

The new members are Dana Rowe, Tyson Wasylik, Glenn Knights, Karl Sacdal, Roman Pochekva, Deep Mander, Ravi Sidhu, Damilola Kuku and Ty Gabel.

“We’re closing in on 100 unique individuals who have found a broken wheel in seven years,” said VP Mechanical Car Brad Robertson in a LinkedIn post. “That’s pretty outstanding!”

Thanks to their vigilance, CPKC says it has had zero broken wheel derailments since 2020.

The post Class I Briefs: CN, CPKC appeared first on Railway Age.

The new R-TRIP hub will officially launch with events on Oct. 16-17, 2025. Housed in the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute for Urban Research, it is led by Penn IUR Faculty Fellows Leslie Richards—the former Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and CEO of Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and now Professor of Practice at the Stuart Weitzman School of Design—and Lead Faculty Advisor Megan Ryerson, UPS Foundation Professor and Chair of the Department of City and Regional Planning at the Weitzman School.

According to Penn IUR, R-TRIP is slated to address current challenges facing transportation today, including:

• Transportation safety and crash prevention.
• Expanded access to jobs, education, and essential services.
• Data-driven innovation and technology deployment.
• Infrastructure prepared for future demands and disruptions.
• Improved reliability and performance of complex systems.

“Whether reimagining how people move through regions or integrating emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and advanced analytics into decision-making, R-TRIP is focused on practical impact and measurable progress that can be deployed across cities, regions and states,” Penn IUR reported Sept. 25. “Projects will be co-developed with input from public agencies and private sponsors and guided by interdisciplinary teams of Penn faculty, students and transportation leaders.”

The Initiative’s Public Sector Advisory Committee includes CEOs from such transit agencies as Los Angeles County Transportation Authority, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, California State Transportation Agency, Georgia DOT, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Utah DOT, Denver International Airport, Pittsburgh Regional Transit, and Philadelphia’s Department of Aviation, among others.

According to Penn IUR, R-TRIP anticipates launching a series of pilot projects in collaboration with public and private partners, with an emphasis on:

• “Leveraging AI and predictive analytics to improve safety and operational efficiency.
• “Exploring smart infrastructure that adapts to user behavior and demand.
• “Advancing mobility data platforms that support informed planning and investment.
• “Supporting infrastructure that is resilient and adaptable to future conditions.”

These efforts, it said, aim to produce “measurable public benefits, such as reduced congestion, increased safety, and broader access to opportunity, through solutions that can scale across diverse environments.”

R-TRIP’s founding sponsors include Google Public Sector, AtkinsRéalis, Bentley Systems, HNTB, INRIX, STV, WSP, 4M Analytics, and Slalom.

“The Richards Transportation Initiative is built on the idea that great research should move quickly into action,” said Leslie Richards, a Railway Age Women in Rail Award honoree in 2020. “We’re creating a platform where public agencies, private partners, and academic leaders can work together to develop and implement smart, scalable solutions that accelerate innovation across the transportation sector.”

“The Richards Transportation Initiative is exactly the kind of forward-looking collaboration our nation’s transportation systems need,” added Garrett Eucalitto, President of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Transportation. “Initiatives like this strengthen the ability of agencies to work across functions to improve mobility, accelerate electrification, and think beyond standard practices to better serve their communities.”

“We constantly ask how we can make travel safer, faster, and more responsive across Pennsylvania and beyond,” said Michael B. Carroll, Secretary PennDOT. “The Initiative’s applied research model gives us a powerful new tool to inform real-world planning and investment.”

LIRR “shattered” its most recent post-pandemic ridership record on Wednesday, Sept. 24, with 301,440 riders, including approximately 20,000 golf fans traveling to and from the Ryder Cup 2025 in Bethpage, N.Y., via the commuter railroad’s Farmingdale station, according to LIRR.

“This follows a summer that saw the LIRR repeatedly break post-pandemic daily ridership records carrying 298,419 passengers on Wednesday, July 23 and 295,419 passengers on Tuesday, July 22,” LIRR reported Sept. 25. “Since the beginning of June, the railroad carried more than 290,000 riders in a day six times with average monthly ridership for June, July, and August in excess of 265,000.”

The ridership highs reflect an increasing customer satisfaction rate and record-breaking on-time performance statistics, according to the railroad. Through the first half of the year, 96.6% of trains reached their destination on time, the railroad’s best rate in its history outside of pandemic years, and nine-tenths of a percentage point above last year’s rate of 95.7%, covering the same period of the year. Overall customer satisfaction reached 81% in spring 2025, up five percentage points from the fall 2024, when it reached 76%, which was itself a six-point increase from spring 2024’s rate of 70%, according to LIRR.

LIRR saw its busiest seven-day period since the pandemic, with a total of 1.77 million passengers riding between Monday, Aug. 25, and Sunday, Aug. 31. The pre-pandemic 2019 average weekday ridership of 316,692 was the highest since 1949.

According to LIRR, it brought millions of riders to see Post Malone, The Lumineers, Blackpink and other concerts at Citi Field; Phish, Mumford & Sons and the Black Keys at Forest Hills Stadium; every Mets home game; the U.S. Open; and hundreds of Manhattan events this summer along with service to the Hamptons and all the other Long Island beaches.

Nine extra trains are part of expanded service to the Ryder Cup this week (week of Sept. 21), and seven more trains have added Farmingdale stops.

“People are coming back to the LIRR because of the exceptional service, as they know a fantastic customer experience is there for them,” LIRR President Rob Free said. “The highest on-time performance in the railroad’s long history and clean, safe, and comfortable trains that are the best way to travel to everything that Long Island has to offer.”

In related news, Gatekeeper recently announced a C$27 million Federal Railroad Administration transit video project with LIRR, and MTA Metro-North Railroad will launch “super-express” trains next month.

Metra will be putting into service this fall a prototype café car, rotating it across most of its busiest lines and stations and asking riders to take a survey about whether they like the concept and about what amenities and features they would like to see, according to the commuter railroad serving Chicagoland.

To make the prototype, Metra said it removed the second level on one half of a car, and installed counters, stools, booths, and tables. The interior has also been decorated “so it feels a bit different from the average Metra car,” it noted.

The car will make its debut on the Rock Island Line on Sept. 30, Oct. 1, and Oct. 2, and then will be parked at LaSalle Street Station on Oct. 6. Riders can view the car and offer their feedback in an onboard survey. Riders who complete the survey will receive free snacks and beverages, Metra said.

The car will be moved to the BNSF Line the week of Oct. 13, the Milwaukee District North Line the week of Oct. 20, the Milwaukee District West Line the week of Oct. 27, the Union Pacific North Line the week of Nov. 3, the Union Pacific Northwest Line the week of Nov. 10, and the Union Pacific West Line the week of Nov. 17. The specific schedule for each line will be posted at metra.com/CafeCar. 

“We created this special car in an attempt to improve the riding experience and maybe attract new riders,” Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski said. “This is your chance to check it out and tell us what you think. Would you use it? What amenities would you like to see? What other thoughts do you have?”

(Note from Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono: “New Jersey Transit should do this!”)

Separately, earlier this month and just days after the Surface Transportation Board granted Metra’s application for terminal trackage rights to continue commuter rail service over three Union Pacific-owned lines in Chicagoland, UP filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking compensation from Metra. Also, the 87th St./Woodruff Station on the Metra Electric Line, which has been closed since December 2024 for a complete rehabilitation, will reopen on Oct. 6.

REM’s Deux-Montagnes branch will begin running in November and the Anse-à-l’Orme branch will open in spring 2026, The Canadian Press reported Sept. 25.

“The two branches [see map, top] were scheduled to enter service at the end of 2024, but that timeline was postponed to fall 2025 and management [at CDPQ Infra, the subsidiary of Quebec’s public pension fund manager that is developing the REM network] had been looking at an October start for several months,” according to the news agency.

REM’s first automated urban rail system segment linking the South Shore to downtown Montreal’s central station launched in July 2023, and The Canadian Press noted that the “project has faced criticism from passengers about its reliability, especially last winter when the trains suffered multiple stoppages.”

“When asked about the frustration of future passengers, CDPQ Infra president and CEO Jean-Marc Arbaud emphasized the scale of the project,” the news agency reported. “‘In seven years, no project in Canada has been completed on such a time frame on the same scale,’ Arbaud told a news conference. ‘I don’t reject the criticism,’ he added. ‘In the end, what I’m saying is that we did it, everyone who worked on the project did more than their best, and it’s a success.’”

According to Arbaud, the delays will not affect “the construction cost update,” according to the news agency, which noted that the project’s price tag is estimated at C$9.4 billion, “about [C]$2.4 billion more than the initial forecast in 2018.”

When the Airport segment opens—scheduled for 2027—the network will have 26 stations and span 41.6 miles (67 kilometers).

In related news, REM’s first segment recently reopened after a six-week summer shutdown to test the new extensions to Montreal’s North Shore and West Island.

The post Transit Briefs: R-TRIP, MTA LIRR, Metra, REM appeared first on Railway Age.

The collaboration, the partners say, aims to solve a common challenge in the rail industry: billing for railcar repairs. Railcar repairs are governed by hundreds of conditional rules designed to ensure safe operations. However, the complexity of these rules often results in mechanical teams spending significant time referencing lengthy manuals and correcting paperwork errors.

To address this, Railinc developed CarLogix, an intelligent railcar repair application that guides mechanical staff through the repair recording process. CarLogix checks repair records against hundreds of industry rules in real-time, “ensuring accuracy and eliminating rework,” the company noted.

Duke students will explore how applying AI (Artificial Intelligence), mobile devices, and social media-style technologies could further improve mechanical team efficiency and knowledge sharing. This, the partners say, is especially critical for teams performing minor repairs outside of traditional repair shops, where access to computers is limited.

“This collaboration with Duke University is about bringing together innovation, academia, and industry to strengthen the rail network. We are excited to partner with students at Duke on this project and look forward to developing solutions that will improve railcar recording and accuracy—a critical need for the freight rail industry,” said Railinc President and CEO Allen West.

“At Duke, we believe innovation happens when students, faculty, and industry come together to tackle meaningful, real-world challenges. Collaborating with Railinc brings our mission to life, giving our students the chance to apply their creativity to one of the nation’s most vital industries while also creating solutions that strengthen the communities and workers it touches,” said CFCI Managing Director Adria Dunbar.

“Product development education should be rooted in apprenticeship-style, real-world problem solving. By partnering directly with Railinc, our students gain hands-on experience designing technologies that deliver immediate value—enhancing accuracy, reducing inefficiencies, and helping scale practical tools that rail professionals rely on to run their businesses,” added CFCI Executive in Residence Anna Wilson.

Beyond initial prototypes, the effort, the partners say, is expected to generate lasting benefits: “strengthening the rail workforce, improving compliance, and creating new opportunities for students to contribute to the future of a critical national industry.”

The post Railinc, Duke University Collaborate on Innovation to Advance Freight Rail Efficiency appeared first on Railway Age.

LIT is the first new container terminal in the country and the first project in Louisiana to register with Envision, “underscoring Port NOLA’s commitment to building infrastructure that prioritizes environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and long-term economic resilience,” the Port noted.

Developed by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI), Envision is a “comprehensive, globally recognized framework that provides a standardized way to evaluate and improve the sustainability of infrastructure projects across their full lifecycle.” Projects are assessed against a broad set of credits that measure environmental, social, and economic impacts, with performance recognized through verification levels ranging from verified to platinum.

“Registering with Envision is another example of how Port NOLA is setting the standard for future-focused, responsible growth,” said Port NOLA President and CEO Beth Branch. “The Louisiana International Terminal will be transformative for our region, and this milestone ensures that we are building it in a way that reflects the best practices in sustainability, accountability, and community engagement.”

By aligning with Envision, Port NOLA and its partners are “committing to a rigorous, third-party verification process that enhances transparency, fosters collaboration, and builds confidence among stakeholders and the public.” Benefits of using Envision include:

• “Standardized sustainability assessment and accountability.
• “Motivation for higher sustainability performance.
• “Recognition of sustainability commitment in procurement.
• “Positive public engagement and visibility.
• “Enhanced collaboration across agencies and teams.
• “Demonstrated responsible governance.”

“Becoming the first new container terminal in the U.S. to register with Envision sends a powerful message about Port NOLA’s values,” said Port NOLA Director of Sustainable Development Emily Federer. “We are expanding our capacity to serve global trade and doing so in a way that meets our industry’s needs while safeguarding the needs of future generations, our environment, strengthening community trust, setting a precedent for sustainable infrastructure development in the maritime sector.”

“Port NOLA’s leadership in registering the Louisiana International Terminal with Envision demonstrates its dedication to embedding sustainability at the heart of one of the nation’s most important infrastructure projects,” said ISI President and CEO Anthony Kane. “This project will serve as an example to ports and terminal operators everywhere of how to use Envision as a pathway toward measurable, responsible, and lasting impact.”

LIT is one of the most significant infrastructure investments in the Gulf region and for the economy of the U.S. and will serve as the premier gateway for international trade in the Gulf, according to the Port. “Registering with Envision ensures that its design and construction will be guided by the highest standards of sustainability, strengthening Port NOLA’s role as a critical connection between global markets and America’s heartland.”

The post LIT Project Officially Registered with Envision appeared first on Railway Age.

“APTA’s Public Transportation Vehicle Database is an indispensable tool for understanding the current state and future direction of our nation’s transit fleets,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “Through this resource, we’re equipping policymakers, including Members of Congress and their staffs, with the data they need to make informed decisions about critical public transportation infrastructure and funding needs.”

“The 2025 Database reveals impressive adoption rates of advanced technologies across multiple transit modes that directly impact riders and communities,” Skoutelas added. “From enhanced security to real-time information systems, agencies are leveraging innovation to create safer, more reliable transportation options.”

Highlights of the Database are listed below.

Passenger Experience Improvements:

• 87% of light rail vehicles feature automated stop announcements, improving accessibility and passenger information.
• 81% of buses and 53% of light rail vehicles are equipped with bike racks, facilitating multimodal transportation options.

Operational Technology:

• 87% of buses and 81% of light rail vehicles have installed automatic vehicle location (AVL) systems, enabling accurate real-time arrival predictions.
• Advanced fleet management systems are now standard across most major transit operations.

The Database (download below) provides comprehensive information on transit vehicles, including manufacture date, specifications, accessibility features, and equipment details. The 2025 edition includes several other key features:

• Summary tables grouping vehicles by mode, manufacturer, size, and year built.
• A special section on the new vehicle market, covering orders, planned orders, and vehicle costs.
• Information on several types of autonomous/automated safety equipment such as Collision Mitigation/Warning, Emergency Autonomous Braking, and Pedestrian/Bicyclist Detection..
• Emerging modes adopted by the National Transit Database such as Bus Rapid Transit, Hybrid Rail, Commuter Bus and Streetcar.

“These statistics represent more than just numbers; they reflect our industry’s commitment to continuous improvement and innovation,” Skoutelas said. “Transit agencies understand that investing in modern technology is essential to attracting and retaining ridership while ensuring safe and efficient operations.”

The post APTA Releases 2025 Public Transportation Vehicle Database appeared first on Railway Age.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau is loaning up to $35.9 million for Phase 1 of the Port of Longview’s Industrial Rail Corridor Expansion project in Washington state that is slated to double freight capacity.

The project will leverage USDOT’s recently announced improvements to the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program, which expanded borrowers’ ability to finance up to 49% of eligible project costs through “low-interest, flexible, long-term loans,” the Department reported Sept. 25. These loans, it noted, “help accelerate project delivery, save taxpayer dollars, and facilitate private investment.”

Operating since 1921, the Cowlitz County-based Port of Longview has eight marine terminals and waterfront industrial property spanning 835 acres on the deep-draft Columbia River, 66 miles from the Pacific Ocean in rural southwest Washington state. The original Industrial Rail Corridor, completed in 2004, connected the Port directly to main line rail service, provided by the Longview Switching Company, a joint venture of BNSF and Union Pacific (UP).

Phase 1 of the Port’s multi-year expansion project comprises the extension of existing tracks, construction of six new 8,500-foot tracks, and the addition of a new six-track embankment to allow for future expansion, according to the USDOT. New crew access roads and other supporting infrastructure will also improve safety, it said. Additionally, the improvements will support the redevelopment of the Berth 4 Grain Complex, a future revitalization project planned by the Port.

According to the USDOT, the project will “eliminate congestion from the overburdened two-track system,” and “drive economic growth by attracting more private investment and increasing export capacity for commodities such as grain and timber, as well as generating an estimated $2.8 billion in annual activity and $66 million in tax revenues, which are crucial for the rural area’s rapidly transitioning economy.” This will also help meet growing domestic and international market demands, the USDOT said.

In addition to the loan, the project is being funded through a combination of federal, state, and local funds that have already been committed, respectively, $18.6 million, $9 million, and $9.7 million. The total estimated project cost is $73.3 million. Construction began earlier this year, and substantial completion is expected in 2028.

“Embracing innovative financing by utilizing TIFIA has enabled the Port of Longview to expedite delivery of these critical upgrades and open the door to new commercial opportunities and economic development that might not have been possible otherwise,” Build America Bureau Executive Director Morteza Farajian, Ph.D, said. “Additionally, because this project is located in a rural area, they were able to take advantage of our Rural Projects Initiative and borrow at half of the already low U.S. Treasury interest rate, unlocking even more value and millions of dollars in savings.”

“The Port is grateful to the USDOT for its support through the TIFIA loan, which will advance our Industrial Rail Corridor Expansion Project and strengthen the Port’s role in regional economic growth,” Port of Longview CEO Dan Stahl commented.

Separately, the Port of Benton in Washington state recently achieved Class I track status for its Southern Connection, a 16-mile short line rail network that spans from the UP main line near the Columbia Center Mall in Kennewick to the north end of the Horn Rapids Industrial Park in Richland.

The post Port of Longview Lands $35.9MM Federal Loan for Rail Expansion appeared first on Railway Age.

NCRR launched the Back-on-Track Disaster Recovery program last year to provide aid within FEMA-designated disaster areas to Class II and Class III railroads for infrastructure repair and/or wage support, to local rail-served industries for site recovery and operations assistance, and to local nonprofit Economic Development Organizations (EDO) in need of operations support.

Citizens across seven Western North Carolina counties—Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Swain, Watauga, and Wilkes—benefitted from this funding.

Premier Magnesia LLC, which was acquired by Raleigh-based heavy building materials provider Martin Marietta in July, received $3 million to offset transportation costs after Hurricane Helene’s flooding damaged its Waynesville, N.C., plant and washed out nearby rail lines, according to NCRR. The disruption forced the company to truck in raw materials at higher costs for seven months.

“NCRR’s support helped stabilize our supply chain during a critical time,” commented Matt Haynes, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Operations. “It allowed us to keep production moving while rail access was down.”

Flooding also hit Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in Fletcher, N.C., destroying its grain offloading system. Two feet of mud and silt covered the building, breached railcars, and damaged the rail spur. Sierra Nevada benefited from up to $900,000 in Back-on-Track funds to repair its spur and cover temporary trucking costs of the malt barley, according to NCRR.

“The support was fast, helpful, and arrived exactly when we needed it,” said Mandi McKay, Chief Sustainability and Social Impact Officer. “It kept our operations intact and helped us support the broader community.” McKay noted that “NCRR’s recovery program ensured rail remained viable—something that aligns directly with our company values.”

In recognition of the Back-on-Track program, NCRR earned a 2025 Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council. NCRR representatives were honored earlier this month at the IEDC 2025 Annual Conference in Detroit, Mich.

“Back-on-Track is more than a grant; it’s a commitment to North Carolina’s people and economy,” NCRR President and CEO Carl Warren summed up. “Strategic support and swift action helped protect jobs, restore operations and keep supply chains moving.”

The post NCRR: Helping Businesses ‘Get Back on Track’ appeared first on Railway Age.

At Norfolk Southern (NS), railroading runs deep. It often spans generations of the same family. Across our network, you’ll find parents, children, grandchildren, and more who have all proudly called themselves railroaders, continuing a legacy built on grit, pride, and purpose.

These families are more than employees. They’re part of our foundation. Their shared history and commitment help drive our success and shape our culture.

In Enola, Pa, the Gault and Williams families represent this tradition in true Thoroughbred fashion. Their story is a powerful reminder of the legacy that lives on in the people who keep our railroad moving—generation after generation.

The post Watch: NS Generations on the Rails appeared first on Railway Age.

The future for the iconic Beverly Shores station on the South Shore Line looks bright after the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District agreed to lease the structure to Indiana Landmarks for 100 years, ensuring that a museum and art gallery inside can remain there. 

In the late 1980s, the structure, one of the last Spanish Colonial Revival-style depots on the system, was scheduled for demolition. However, supporters of the building rallied to preserve it and have it listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The town of Beverly Shores helped establish a museum, which opened in 1988. The depot continues to operate as a flagstop. 

The depot’s original lease was nearing expiration, so NICTD partnered with Indiana Landmarks to extend it, securing its preservation for the future. 

“The South Shore Line deeply appreciates this new partnership with the railroad, the town and Indiana Landmarks,” said Michael Noland, NICTD president and CEO. “Preserving this historic piece of our history and the Samuel Insull era of the railroad takes a group effort. This strategic partnership brings Indiana Landmarks into the fold to help secure much-needed resources for this community and regional asset, and we are most grateful.”

The post Iconic South Shore Station Lease Extended appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

SacRT on Sept. 24 announced the launch of the Transit Connect app, a new regional fare payment system that gives riders a “faster, easier, and more flexible” way to pay for transit. With the Transit Connect app, riders can purchase and activate tickets anytime, anywhere using their smartphone—eliminating the need for cash, paper tickets, or ticket machines.

The first phase of Transit Connect launches with SacRT full-fare mobile ticketing only. Discount fare options and Yolobus fare products are scheduled to be added in early November. This first phase introduces mobile ticketing, along with rider-friendly features such as stored value wallet to load funds directly in the app and group ticketing to purchase multiple fares at once.

Future upgrades will expand the Transit Connect app to include additional transit partner integrations and add new features like scan-to-pay for faster boarding, fare capping so customers never pay more than the daily max, and the ability to load cash at fare vending machines and convenience stores.

“SacRT is proud to launch the Transit Connect app, which will make it easier than ever for people to travel throughout the Sacramento region,” said SacRT General Manager and CEO Henry Li. “Our riders deserve a seamless, modern experience that makes it easier to connect to the entire region, and the Transit Connect app provides exactly that.”

Powered by Masabi, a global leader in mobile fare payment solutions, the Transit Connect app, SacRT says, “lays the groundwork for a seamless and unified transit payment system for the Sacramento region.”

“Mobile ticketing is transforming public transit worldwide by putting convenience and simplicity first,” said Brian Zanghi, CEO of Masabi. “We’re excited to partner with SacRT to deliver Transit Connect, helping riders across the Sacramento region access a modern and connected experience.”

To use the Transit Connect app, riders simply show their activated ticket to a bus operator or fare inspector, just like with the current ZipPass app, which will be phased out later this year. For riders currently using Connect Card (including state workers) full integration is expected as part of phase two in 2026.

On Friday, Sept. 19, LA Metro officially began passenger service on the Glendora to Pomona extension of the Meto A Line.

It was a truly historic day for the San Gabriel Valley, with thousands showing up for the opening day ceremony, community events at each station and to ride the new A Line extension, noted the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority (also known as the Metro Gild Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority). Among those in attendance were past and present elected officials at all levels of government who helped make this historic day possible; the Foothill Gold Line and Metro boards and staffs; the project’s design-build team of Kiewit-Parsons; higher education officials; community stakeholders; and the media.

“The Construction Authority again would like to thank the residents, businesses and students of Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne and Pomona for your patience and understanding over these past five years as this important project was completed. We look forward to riding this new extension with you.”

A view recap of the opening say is available below.

Denmark-based global consulting group COWI announced Sept. 25 that it has been appointed lead designer by Connect Plus Partners (Connect+) as part of the design build contract for the Phase 2 – Tunnelling and Structural Shell of the Second Avenue Subway Expansion in New York.

The Second Avenue Subway program, COWI says, is designed to deliver a modern, efficient, and attractive transit system, with the primary goals of improving access on Manhattan’s East Side—particularly for the East Harlem community—reducing congestion on the existing 4-5-6 line running under Lexington Avenue, and enhancing mobility for residents, workers, and visitors across New York City. The $1.972 billion design build construction contract, awarded to Connect+, a joint venture of Halmar International and FCC Construction, will extend the Q Line north from 96th Street to 125th Street, delivering critical new rail capacity and multimodal connections in Manhattan.

Phase 2 comprises approximately 1.5 miles of twin running tunnels, station shell construction at 116th and 125th Streets, and reuse of an existing tunnel segment originally built in the 1970s, providing significant savings. The project also includes above-ground ancillary buildings for ventilation, mechanical, and electrical systems, with opportunities for ground-floor retail and community uses. The contract awarded to Connect + and COWI includes design, engineering, scheduling, coordination and construction of the tunnelling and structural shells that will make up Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway Program.

Phase 2 is a transportation option that is long-awaited by the residents and businesses of East Harlem, the company noted. This project will restore a subway line to the neighborhood, adding three new ADA-accessible stations at 106th, 116th, and 125th Streets. It will significantly improve mobility for commuters and residents of East Harlem, reduce congestion on the 4-5-6 line, and enhance overall system reliability.

“Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway is one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the country,” said COWI North America Executive Vice President Thomas Dahlgren. “By extending service north to 125th Street, MTA is restoring rapid transit to East Harlem for the first time in more than 80 years, reducing crowding on the current subway line under Lexington Avenue, and improving daily mobility for more than 100,000 riders.”

As lead designer for Phase 2, and with support from a team of design subconsultants, COWI says it will apply its expertise in tunnel design and transit facility rehabilitation to manage all aspects of the project scope. This includes bringing industry knowledge, innovation, and technical depth to one of New York City’s most significant infrastructure investments.

“This is a technically complex job in one of the world’s most challenging underground environments. Our role is to bring the depth of COWI’s global tunnelling and underground design expertise to ensure constructability, safety, and efficiency are embedded in every stage of delivery. With 50 years of U.S. experience and the support of more than 450 tunnel design professionals worldwide, we have one of the largest and most specialized teams in the industry. That scale and knowledge give us the capacity to manage every aspect of design for a project of this size and importance,” Dahlgren added.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, with tunnel boring operations launching in 2027 and overall contract completion anticipated in 2030.

The union representing Montreal transit maintenance workers warned Sept. 24 that “more strike days could be added after accusing the city’s transit agency of not negotiating in good faith,” according to a Montreal Gazette report.

According to the report, more than 100 maintenance employees of STM demonstrated outside the agency’s head office on Wednesday. Four more strike days can be exercised by the union between now and Oct. 3., unless a deal between maintenance workers and the STM is struck, The Gazette reports.

Bruno Jeannotte, President of the Syndicat du transport de Montréal–CSN, said “discussions with a mediator were continuing, but had not yet reached the stage of appointing an arbitrator.”

We are making progress on certain points,” he said.

François Enault, a Vice President with the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), said the dispute “centers on subcontracting, atypical schedules and wages,” according to the report. “We’re ready to try to find an agreement. But right now, the employer is not acting in good faith,” he said. “We’ve been waiting months. If there’s no movement, we’ll increase the mobilization and the strike.”

Enault emphasized that “subcontracting remains the sticking point.” He argued that the STM “is looking to save money by outsourcing maintenance tasks that unionized workers already do.” In a statement, STM spokesperson Renaud Martel-Théorêt said “intensive negotiations had begun this week.” He said the union sought wage hikes of about 25% over five years, along with bonuses and other conditions. Martel-Théorêt said it would cost the STM $300 million more than its budget. The STM is offering 12.5% over five years, including an inflation-linked adjustment, according to the Montreal Gazette report.

Martel-Théorêt added that since last week the STM “has not received any further details from the union regarding its wage demands.”

Despite the tension, the agency said, “commuters were better prepared than during the first strike day Monday thanks to clearer communication,” though it acknowledged the service disruptions caused “a lot of headaches,” according to the report.

Labor Minister Jean Boulet told TVA that an arbitrator could be named “as early as Thursday morning if both sides agree to it.”

More information is available here.

Crisis workers will soon be stationed on TTC Line 1 subway platforms as part of a new safety pilot, according to a CP24 report.

According to the report, officials say deployment will start as soon as Nov. 15 and that Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS) staff will be embedded 24/7 at Spadina, Union, and Bloor-Yonge stations.

Transit users can report an incident through the SafeTTC app, speaking to TTC staff, or by calling 211.

The plan, CP24 reports, is to scale the $540,000 pilot to $1.8 million annually, though Mayor Olivia Chow acknowledged “funding is not yet confirmed.” She is urging City Council to support the initiative in the upcoming budget, calling transit safety a “top priority,” according to the report.

“Transit needs to be safe and feel safe. Bringing crisis workers on to the platform as a resource for riders will help us respond to incidents faster and prevent them,” Chow said, noting that 78% of mental health calls are resolved without police involvement.

The post Transit Briefs: SacRT, LA Metro, COWI, STM, TTC appeared first on Railway Age.