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RAIL Magazine

@railmag.bsky.social
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The most extensive coverage of North American passenger rail

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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 5h
Minnesota🟢Line: June 2027 (official groundbreaking: Nov. 2018) Maryland🟣 Line: Late 2027 (official groundbreaking: August 2017)
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 8h
"The "interactive" open house will be at the station's proposed location, the CSU Shops at College shopping center, 2439 S. College Ave. The shopping center is directly north of the new King Soopers and directly south of the old King Soopers. The format is drop-in, from 5 to 7 p.m."
coloradoan.com
Fort Collins plans 'interactive' open house for passenger rail station
If you want a glimpse of the location of the proposed Fort Collins passenger rail station, here's how to see it in person and hear from planners.
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Why would the Airo seats be any better than those on the venture cars operated in the Midwest & California? After all, both are Siemens railcars and operate on Amtrak trains…💺 Ventures: procured by Midwest/CA, assigned to Amtrak Airos: procured by Amtrak directly
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Edmonton-Calgary is a natural and relatively uncomplicated high-speed corridor. Alberta is looking to a partnership with the Canadian federal government and a to-be-chosen private consortium to make it happen.🚆
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Why are the Amtrak Airos a net good for passenger rail in the U.S.? 1) Amtrak desperately needs more trains. These are more trains. 2) Time savings on engine swaps @ WAS, PHL & NHV 3) Cab cars for push-pull corridors save terminal recovery time, non-revenue movements & crew time 🚆
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Not really much major here in terms of updates but the Big Sky Rail Authority continues to work away at the North Coast Hiawatha route service development plan for the FRA. www.montanakaimin.com/in_print/rai...
montanakaimin.com
Rail authority looks to revive route through Missoula
The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is working to restore the North Coast Limited/Hiawatha route that once brought passenger trains from Chicago through Missoula and to Seattle.
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
"The train connects six towns in Quebrada de Humahuaca, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed valley that has served as a route through the Andes for thousands of years. Launched in 2024, it was designed in part to bring tourists to communities along the valley..."
euronews.com
In Argentina, solar power from the Andes keeps this train running
The Tren Solar de la Quebrada can run nearly double its current length on solar power alone.
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
"The new route extension will include 16 stations from Target Field in Minneapolis to Eden Prairie, including stops in St. Louis Park, Hopkins and Minnetonka. Metro Transit staff announced the opening date on Saturday at the new St. Louis Park stop on Louisiana Avenue."
mprnews.org
Green Line Extension to Eden Prairie, southwest Twin Cities begins operation June 2027
The new route extension will include 16 stations from Target Field in Minneapolis to Eden Prairie, including stops in St. Louis Park, Hopkins and Minnetonka.
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
"Pinehurst Station will connect riders to the 1 and 2 lines, with trains arriving every four to five minutes, according to Sound Transit. The agency expects the station to serve about 3,400 riders over time."
king5.com
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
I would encourage all to evaluate Brightline / HSR viability in the U.S. takes via these criteria: •Are they considering the difference between Brightline’s operating & capital expenses relative to itsoperating revenue? •Do they consider a corridor that has 315 grade crossings to be HSR? (It isn’t)
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Wishing a reflective, inaugural 9 - 25 Day to you & yours 🩷
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
How are they going to get from the Stanton Spur (to/from MCO airport) to the Taft-Vineland alignment (which must be elevated) in the space available? I’ve stood exactly there (see photos) Crossing the SunRail/CSX/Amtrak corridor at-grade would kill frequency & reliability. How?! Has to flyover.
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
I remain very interested in what this connection between the current north-south SunRail service and the future Brightline/SunRail Sunshine Corridor (east-west) service will be like. I’ve not seen any renderings. My poor sketch of how I understand it working is the 2nd image. Lots of rail/road needs
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Reading & Northern wants to buy this line & would expand excursion service to Wilkes-Barre (and also freight). RJ Corman sale would prevent excursions. Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority wanted approval to sell to RJ Corman, now vetoed by County Council. Most participants wanted R&N as owner.
timesleader.com
Rail sale back in limbo after Luzerne County Council vetoes R.J. Corman deal
<p>After an hour of public comment Tuesday, Luzerne County Council unanimously vetoed the county Redevelopment Authority’s Sept. 15 decision to sell the county rail line to R.J. Corman Railroad Group....
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Is Brightline not getting to Tampa (or Disney Springs) the reason they’re likely filing for bankruptcy? No. Totally unrelated. In fact, had they attempted more capital projects without public investment, their position would be even more tenuous. Bankruptcy = survival for BL.🚆🟡
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Ok, folks: let’s talk the deployment of the California/Midwest Venture cab cars, which CA has been running on revenue trips with, um, some interesting cab alternatives. The issue is these cabs are too lightweight to reliably activate track circuits for grade crossings/signals. 👇
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
10 years ago today, I was in Detroit, planning a transit conference. It was about 8 mo. before the QLine opened, but most of the rail infrastructure had been installed. Also, as we ease closer to the gales of November, I stopped by the “maritime sailors’ cathedral” of Mr Lightfoot’s poetic license🚢
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The Atlanta City Council is standing behind the will of voters to bring promised projects towards reality, rather than watered down by unelected desk mangers and politicians consumed by gadgetbahns marketed to them by campaign donors. Keep building off this initiative, ATL!
atlantanewsfirst.com
Atlanta City Council backs light rail along full 22-mile Beltline loop
The Atlanta City Council Monday adopted a resolution formally affirming its support for light rail transit along the entire 22-mile Atlanta Beltline corridor.
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
"Officials are slated to deliver more specific details on the project...during an Austin Transit Partnership board meeting in or around November. Under existing project estimates, construction is expected to wrap on the first phase of the light rail in 2033."
mysanantonio.com
What to expect from Central Texas' first light rail system
The region will soon join Houston and Dallas as home to a light rail system.
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
True fact: the airports in Mobile and Baton Rouge offer flights to the same 5 places: ATL, CLT, DCA, DFW, IAH From neither airport can you fly direct to New Orleans. You’d have to go somewhere else and backtrack. And yet people think “there’s an airport, why need a train?”🚆
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Among the things I like most about passenger rail routes is the degree they interact with the unique territory, communities and landscapes they serve (in a way that most airport terminals do not). This is Amtrak’s Mardi Gras in downtown Mobile. The vibe is robust and distinct.
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Tonight, the Buffalo Bills open their new stadium in a game vs the Lions. Regardless of the should haves (location, dome, etc), this is where & what it is. Could there eventually be rail service to stadium? Possibly. A few obstacles, not the least of which is funding. Details 👇
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
"It's been talked about for years; getting trains back on the track connecting Victoria to the West Shore. September 16, 2026 the Federal Government pledged half a million dollars to see if the link can be revived for light passenger rail."
youtube.com
Trains returning to Vancouver Island? The federal government pledges $500,000 towards another study
YouTube video by CTV News
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Had a dream last night about coming into Lasalle Station on Metra, and decided to do my sporadic list of N American cities with 2 or more downtown rail terminals: •BOS •MTL •NYC •NWK •PHL* •BAL •CHI •VAN •CDMX *Philly gets an asterisk as some trains terminate at Suburban Am I missing any?
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
It’s the Year of Our Hippo 2026 and MARC is still banging away with a few of these on the Penn Line, as of yesterday… (photo source & credit in screenshot)
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
(Refresher: the original funds for this project were awarded in ARRA in 2010. Next up is IDOT setting a start date for construction) Federal Funding Availability Extension Keeps Chicago–Quad Cities Passenger Rail Project Moving Forward | Geneseo Current
geneseocurrent.com
Federal Extension Keeps Chicago–Quad Cities Passenger Rail Project Moving Forward — Geneseo Current
A federal grant extension keeps the long-delayed Chicago–Quad Cities passenger rail project moving forward, preserving funding for the proposed route through Geneseo to Moline.
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
"Five years after Amtrak announced its $6-billion Baltimore & Potomac Tunnel Replacement Program, contractors have completed excavation work for the first of five bridges that must be rebuilt, with the other four remaining ahead of schedule."
planetizen.com
Amtrak’s $6 billion tunnel project moves closer to a faster Northeast Corridor
The Baltimore & Potomac Tunnel Replacement Program is Amtrak's largest-ever single infrastructure investment, and will pave the way for more reliable passenger rail service between Baltimore, Washingt...
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
So, I appreciate the spirit of this post on Buffalo Central Terminal by @hsrail.bsky.social. But as a Buffalo native and having been in the building several times, it's just not time for passenger rail service there. We must urgently focus on Empire Service upgrades to run more trains W of Albany...
hsrail.org
Eight Trains an Hour: It’s the Future Buffalo’s Central Terminal Deserves | High Speed Rail Alliance
Imagine Buffalo Terminal in the near-future. Every hour, trains arrive and depart in four directions: Cleveland, Toronto, and two routes to New York
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Was asked a good faith question about the Airos yesterday: why are they good for passengers? I go through a bunch of reasons why in this thread below, but the primary upgrade they it delivers desperately needed equipment to Amtrak…🚆
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
"The four new (SLE) weekday trains will improve the overall service schedule, introduce a new connection with an existing Metro-North Super Express train and reduce lengthy gaps between scheduled trains, giving customers more flexibility when planning trips along the Shore Line East corridor."
portal.ct.gov
Governor Lamont Announces Additional Shore Line East Rail Service Coming on October 5
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Key details: The pass is unnecessary in Durham and Cary, where buses are free, but unavailable in Kannapolis and Salisbury. All other transit agencies, from GoRaleigh to the Charlotte Area Transit System, are on board, except for the Greensboro Transit Agency, which will join the program Oct. 1.
newsobserver.com
Now when you buy an NC train ticket, the bus ride to or from the station is free
NC By Train created Ride & Rail pass to let Carolinian and Piedmont train passengers ride local transit in Charlotte, Triad and Triangle.
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
"In the shadows of tall buildings Of open arches endlessly kneeling Sonic landscapes, echoing vistas Someone is listening from a safe distance The line moves slowly into a fading light A final moment in the dead of night..."
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
"In the shadows of tall buildings The architecture is slowly peeling Marble statues and glass dividers Someone is watching all of the outsiders The line moves slowly through the numbered gate Past the mosaic of the head of state..."
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
"In the shadows of tall buildings Of fallen angels on the ceilings Oily feathers in bronze and concrete Faded colors, pieces left incomplete The line moves slowly past the electric fence Across the borders between continents..." -"Cathedrals", Jump Little Children (1998)
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
At a presentation with WSDOT today, Amtrak confirmed the first Airo trainsets will debut on September 30, with one assigned to a Vancouver-Seattle roundtrip & another for a Seattle-Portland RT, with a 3rd in reserve. The specific train numbers have not yet been announced.
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
"The legislation, if passed...would make clear that city councilmembers disapprove of using Beltline transit right-of-way for uses that would diminish the chances of rail being built or make it more expensive." About damn time.
atlanta.urbanize.city
Atlanta City Council resolution supports Beltline rail, demands timeline
“There has never been a more important moment to invest in public transit expansion in Atlanta,” asserts councilmember
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
ust an add-on to yesterday’s Cincy Streetcar anniversary, it’s the 2nd best-performing U.S. streetcar system on riders per hour (chart by Brad Thomas). A number of relatively inexpensive modifications could boost that performance even higher: drive.google.com/file/d/1N9MZ...
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Happy 10th Anniversary to the Cincinnati Streetcar, opening on this day in 2016. I rode it about a year later on a slightly drizzly morning…🚊
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
First time at Fort Wilderness at WDW. Tracked down (pun intended) the former Settlement depot on the long-gone Fort Wilderness Railroad (2ft 6in narrow gauge). Red dot was where I was standing. It opened in 1974 and closed in 1980.
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Travel this weekend is at Disney World, where I’ve posted from several times before. Here’s a video of the EPCOT Monorail heading back to the TTC. Sorry for the blurry quality but despite the robustness of the WDW bus network, they still wrap their windows.
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
I was glad to ride Phase I of this fully automated system last summer, just a few weeks before Phase II opened to the airport. Hope the work on Phase III continues on schedule for 2030 opening… www.hawaiipublicradio.org/the-conversa...
hawaiipublicradio.org
Skyline celebrates 3rd birthday as public transit progress gains speed in Honolulu
Honolulu Director of Transit Jon Nouchi shares how the city’s public transportation plans are progressing.
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
“Approved by the Amtrak Board of Directors on July 30, the System Expansion Committee will serve as the Board’s primary forum for advancing passenger rail growth.”
media.amtrak.com
Amtrak Board Establishes System Expansion Committee to Advance Passenger Rail Growth - Amtrak Media
Committee will help guide new routes, additional frequencies, and strategic investments across the Amtrak network WASHINGTON – Following recent
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
This ISN'T the 2nd Pennsylvanian schedule. But its likely the same trainset can't do NYP->PGH->NYP in one day. So, they'll need 2 trainsets, likely WB departing NYP early am, arriving PGH late afternoon; EB departing PGH early afternoon, arriving NYP night. If so, can that train go a bit farther...?
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
"The board of the Front Range Passenger Rail District voted 14-1 Friday to refer a sales tax measure to the November ballots of voters in 30 municipalities along the planned route of the Colorado Connector rail service between Pueblo-Fort Collins." DEN-Ft Collins service will start in '29 regardless
coloradonewsline.com
Front Range cities will vote on tax measure to fund Colorado Connector rail service | Colorado Newsline
The fate of a decades-long effort to restore intercity passenger rail service to the Front Range is now in the hands of Colorado voters.
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
So, just playing along with the game here, but Western New York has the original waterway around Niagara Falls called the ERIE CANAL…🤔🧐🚢 (yes, I know the details. It’s a joke)
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
In honor of the late Tim Curry, here’s a Don’t Dream It, Be It concept looking at a rending of the Oklahoma City regional rail service and the CPKC main line overpass of Bluebonnet Blvd here in Baton Rouge. Envision a train like the first image crossing the bridge in the second 🛤️
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Lake Ontario from Olcott Beach & Hamlin Beach State Park in New York. My photos. Lake Ontario. The president of the United States and any supporters of this infantile tantrum can pound sand, eat dirt or fill their diapers.
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Senator Cortese’s SB 1425 Heads to Governor, Would Clear Path for Faster High-Speed Rail Construction | Office of State Sen. Dave Cortese - sd15.senate.ca.gov/news/senator... #CAHSR #HSR #trains #California #CA
sd15.senate.ca.gov
Senator Cortese’s SB 1425 Heads to Governor, Would Clear Path for Faster High-Speed Rail Construction
Official website of Senator Dave Cortese, representing California Senate District 15.
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
On this O'Hare Flyer concept, I'm in agreement with Chicagolanders commenting on this so far. I default to wary of private passenger schemes in the U.S., with exactly 1 (BL) running actual service. But if they could accelerate timeframes/spur public action, why not? Public progress is glacial pace.
trains.com
New company seeks to offer rail service from downtown Chicago to O’Hare Airport (revised) - Trains
CHICAGO —  A new company has unveiled its plan to offer 15-minute rail service from downtown Chicago to O’Hare International Airport using battery-electric trainsets, a complex effort that will involve gaining operating rights from three Class I railroads as well as building a rail line directly to the airport’s Terminal 2. O’Hare Flyer says it [...]Read More...
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RAIL Magazine @railmag.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
While this piece is largely focused on freight operations in New Orleans, those operations have significant impacts to all Amtrak service in NOLA, including the 4 daily Mardi Gras movements & potential expansion to Baton Route | Railway Age - www.railwayage.com/freight/swit...
railwayage.com
Who Dispatches the Back Belt?
The UP-NS merger application names New Orleans as one of four protected gateways. It then commits $172.3 million to the corridor that starts there, and not one dollar of it […]
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