RAIL Magazine
@railmag.bsky.social
The most extensive coverage of North American passenger rail
There is a deep seated cesspool among local officials who will derail (pun intended) a project because their district/constituency do not directly & concurrently benefit. This is an element holding up moving forward with a passenger rail station in Baton Rouge.
Unbeknownst to the public, a small group of officials from the city of Atlanta, the Atlanta Beltline and MARTA voted to stop all work on the Eastside Beltline light rail project more than six months ago: www.ajc.com/news/2026/01...
Eastside Beltline light rail work secretly halted last year
A group made up of officials with the city of Atlanta, the Beltline and MARTA made the decision in a closed-door meeting without ever informing the public.
www.ajc.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:19 PM
There is a deep seated cesspool among local officials who will derail (pun intended) a project because their district/constituency do not directly & concurrently benefit. This is an element holding up moving forward with a passenger rail station in Baton Rouge.
Was up in Monroe (LA) yesterday for some work meetings and stopped at this crossing of the CPKC/NS Meridian Speedway just east of downtown, near the diamond crossing of UP’s Monroe Sub. Some CPKC power (still in KCS livery) can be spotted in the 1st photo past the signal mast & tower.🛤️🚦
January 21, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Was up in Monroe (LA) yesterday for some work meetings and stopped at this crossing of the CPKC/NS Meridian Speedway just east of downtown, near the diamond crossing of UP’s Monroe Sub. Some CPKC power (still in KCS livery) can be spotted in the 1st photo past the signal mast & tower.🛤️🚦
In the context of FTA’s approval of Austin light rail EIS, the process isn’t like a test that you pass or fail, but more like a dissertation you’re required to produce before a doctorate. It includes things like alternatives analysis, mandatory public input and societal/economic elements like…
January 18, 2026 at 6:14 PM
In the context of FTA’s approval of Austin light rail EIS, the process isn’t like a test that you pass or fail, but more like a dissertation you’re required to produce before a doctorate. It includes things like alternatives analysis, mandatory public input and societal/economic elements like…
Update from Chuck Walsh on NJ Transit finally disposing of the string retired ALP-44 that have sat on the eastern portion of the Lackawanna Cut-Off…
(Full text included in alt)
(Full text included in alt)
January 17, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Update from Chuck Walsh on NJ Transit finally disposing of the string retired ALP-44 that have sat on the eastern portion of the Lackawanna Cut-Off…
(Full text included in alt)
(Full text included in alt)
Train Beer Friday: W&A Railway Rye IPA by @AnnapolisBrewCo in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. The brewery calls out to the historic Windsor & Annapolis railroad that service their town from 1869-1993 (later as the Dominion Atlantic Rwy, & later Canadian Pacific).
🍻🛤️
🍻🛤️
January 16, 2026 at 11:16 PM
Train Beer Friday: W&A Railway Rye IPA by @AnnapolisBrewCo in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. The brewery calls out to the historic Windsor & Annapolis railroad that service their town from 1869-1993 (later as the Dominion Atlantic Rwy, & later Canadian Pacific).
🍻🛤️
🍻🛤️
Instead of Metrolink expansion to Santa Barbara, additional Pacific Surfliner service planned instead…
www.newspress.com/2026/01/13/s...
www.newspress.com/2026/01/13/s...
Santa Barbara Metrolink proposal scrapped; Pacific Surfliner to provide new train service instead - Santa Barbara News Press
A series of delays stemming from prolonged Metrolink contract discussions forced The Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency, LOSSAN, to pull the plug.
www.newspress.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Instead of Metrolink expansion to Santa Barbara, additional Pacific Surfliner service planned instead…
www.newspress.com/2026/01/13/s...
www.newspress.com/2026/01/13/s...
Ontario Investing to Increase Canadian Content in Line 2 Subway Cars
news.ontario.ca/en/release/1...
news.ontario.ca/en/release/1...
January 15, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Ontario Investing to Increase Canadian Content in Line 2 Subway Cars
news.ontario.ca/en/release/1...
news.ontario.ca/en/release/1...
“Ulstad said the real value of the rail line lies in the fact that it already exists. The amount of construction needed to fix the corridor is significantly less than what would be required of a brand new rail.” | WCMU -
radio.wcmu.org/local-region...
radio.wcmu.org/local-region...
Michigan north-south passenger rail line project seeking public feedback
Groundwork, the non-profit behind the north-south rail project, recently released a public input survey in order to help them hammer out the details of what this project could look like for Michigande...
radio.wcmu.org
January 14, 2026 at 7:11 PM
“Ulstad said the real value of the rail line lies in the fact that it already exists. The amount of construction needed to fix the corridor is significantly less than what would be required of a brand new rail.” | WCMU -
radio.wcmu.org/local-region...
radio.wcmu.org/local-region...
UK restoring an inactive route for passenger service. I feel the U.S. on the verge of restoring a half dozen corridors in the next decade. Any lessons learned from this and other projects are valuable…
Looks like the government will be announcing the full reopening of the Leamside rail line through County Durham.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Leamside Line's return given government boost
Work on the Leamside Line is set to progress as part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail initiative.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 14, 2026 at 3:28 PM
UK restoring an inactive route for passenger service. I feel the U.S. on the verge of restoring a half dozen corridors in the next decade. Any lessons learned from this and other projects are valuable…
Reposted by RAIL Magazine
Governor Hochul will announce an extension of the Second Avenue Subway to 125th and Broadway in her State of the State address on Tuesday. buff.ly/2qxRQs6
Westward Ho! Hochul Proposes to Extend Second Ave. Subway Along 125th Street to Broadway - Streetsblog New York City
The next step for the Second Avenue Subway is west across 125th Street to Broadway, Gov. Hochul will announce Tuesday.
nyc.streetsblog.org
January 13, 2026 at 12:43 PM
Governor Hochul will announce an extension of the Second Avenue Subway to 125th and Broadway in her State of the State address on Tuesday. buff.ly/2qxRQs6
Timeline for Passenger Train Service in Chattanooga Arises | @wdefnews12.bsky.social - www.wdef.com/timeline-for... #Atlanta #ATL #Tennessee #TN #rail #trains
Timeline for Passenger Train Service in Chattanooga Arises - WDEF
The city has put a timeline for the return of passenger train service to Chattanooga.
www.wdef.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:34 PM
Timeline for Passenger Train Service in Chattanooga Arises | @wdefnews12.bsky.social - www.wdef.com/timeline-for... #Atlanta #ATL #Tennessee #TN #rail #trains
“Sometimes the stakes are bogus
Sometimes the fast lane hits a fork
Sometimes Southern California wants to be Western New York..:”
-Dar Williams
Sometimes the Bills aren’t cursed🦬
Sometimes the fast lane hits a fork
Sometimes Southern California wants to be Western New York..:”
-Dar Williams
Sometimes the Bills aren’t cursed🦬
January 11, 2026 at 9:17 PM
“Sometimes the stakes are bogus
Sometimes the fast lane hits a fork
Sometimes Southern California wants to be Western New York..:”
-Dar Williams
Sometimes the Bills aren’t cursed🦬
Sometimes the fast lane hits a fork
Sometimes Southern California wants to be Western New York..:”
-Dar Williams
Sometimes the Bills aren’t cursed🦬
Great news on the selection of automated metro for LA’s Sepulveda Corridor! The capacity via super low frequency might deliver the region’s highest-per mile ridership.
With NYC’s IBX shift to automated light metro + Honolulu SlyLine, are we seeing a limited trend emerging…?
With NYC’s IBX shift to automated light metro + Honolulu SlyLine, are we seeing a limited trend emerging…?
January 10, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Great news on the selection of automated metro for LA’s Sepulveda Corridor! The capacity via super low frequency might deliver the region’s highest-per mile ridership.
With NYC’s IBX shift to automated light metro + Honolulu SlyLine, are we seeing a limited trend emerging…?
With NYC’s IBX shift to automated light metro + Honolulu SlyLine, are we seeing a limited trend emerging…?
Rather stunning that this single track railroad is a lynchpin of CPKC’s tri-national network between Canada & Mexico.
Not stunning: Leesburg is, in fact, named for Robert E. Lee in full Lost Cause fever and was built on land donated by a plantation owner.
Photos of town below…
Not stunning: Leesburg is, in fact, named for Robert E. Lee in full Lost Cause fever and was built on land donated by a plantation owner.
Photos of town below…
Video: Good afternoon from Leesville, Louisiana, where I had perfect luck in my travels back from Deep East Texas to Baton Rouge to catch this northbound CPKC grain hopper train absolutely hauling through town at MP 667.85 (as in miles S of KC). Both units in CP livery. Observe the sound of speed…
January 10, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Rather stunning that this single track railroad is a lynchpin of CPKC’s tri-national network between Canada & Mexico.
Not stunning: Leesburg is, in fact, named for Robert E. Lee in full Lost Cause fever and was built on land donated by a plantation owner.
Photos of town below…
Not stunning: Leesburg is, in fact, named for Robert E. Lee in full Lost Cause fever and was built on land donated by a plantation owner.
Photos of town below…
Video: Good afternoon from Leesville, Louisiana, where I had perfect luck in my travels back from Deep East Texas to Baton Rouge to catch this northbound CPKC grain hopper train absolutely hauling through town at MP 667.85 (as in miles S of KC). Both units in CP livery. Observe the sound of speed…
January 9, 2026 at 8:23 PM
Video: Good afternoon from Leesville, Louisiana, where I had perfect luck in my travels back from Deep East Texas to Baton Rouge to catch this northbound CPKC grain hopper train absolutely hauling through town at MP 667.85 (as in miles S of KC). Both units in CP livery. Observe the sound of speed…
“Oh, it’s not for you; it’s more of a Shelbyville idea…”🚝
Good morning from Shelbyville, TX (the original county seat of Shelby County, now located in Center).
Good morning from Shelbyville, TX (the original county seat of Shelby County, now located in Center).
January 9, 2026 at 2:33 PM
“Oh, it’s not for you; it’s more of a Shelbyville idea…”🚝
Good morning from Shelbyville, TX (the original county seat of Shelby County, now located in Center).
Good morning from Shelbyville, TX (the original county seat of Shelby County, now located in Center).
Pronunciation guide:
Natchitoches (Louisiana):
NACK-oh-desh
Nacogdoches (Texas):
nag-oh-DOE-shes
Station Photo 1: Natchitoches
Station Photo 2: Nacogdoches
Natchitoches (Louisiana):
NACK-oh-desh
Nacogdoches (Texas):
nag-oh-DOE-shes
Station Photo 1: Natchitoches
Station Photo 2: Nacogdoches
January 8, 2026 at 12:54 PM
Pronunciation guide:
Natchitoches (Louisiana):
NACK-oh-desh
Nacogdoches (Texas):
nag-oh-DOE-shes
Station Photo 1: Natchitoches
Station Photo 2: Nacogdoches
Natchitoches (Louisiana):
NACK-oh-desh
Nacogdoches (Texas):
nag-oh-DOE-shes
Station Photo 1: Natchitoches
Station Photo 2: Nacogdoches
Some scenes at dusk at the 1911 former Southern Pacific Depot in Nacogdoches, TX. Passenger service between Shreveport & Houston ended in 1954. UP yard units can be seen at left in 1st photo. It’s open Thurs-Saturday as a museum.
January 8, 2026 at 12:07 AM
Some scenes at dusk at the 1911 former Southern Pacific Depot in Nacogdoches, TX. Passenger service between Shreveport & Houston ended in 1954. UP yard units can be seen at left in 1st photo. It’s open Thurs-Saturday as a museum.
Strong work, Tri_Rail! At 4.5 million riders in 2025, it’s record ridership!
Now regional & local leaders need to come up with a sustainable investment stream. Tri-Rail operates reliable all-day, 2-way service on a 2-track railroad it owns that meets or beats drive time
tri-rail.com/pressreleases
Now regional & local leaders need to come up with a sustainable investment stream. Tri-Rail operates reliable all-day, 2-way service on a 2-track railroad it owns that meets or beats drive time
tri-rail.com/pressreleases
January 6, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Strong work, Tri_Rail! At 4.5 million riders in 2025, it’s record ridership!
Now regional & local leaders need to come up with a sustainable investment stream. Tri-Rail operates reliable all-day, 2-way service on a 2-track railroad it owns that meets or beats drive time
tri-rail.com/pressreleases
Now regional & local leaders need to come up with a sustainable investment stream. Tri-Rail operates reliable all-day, 2-way service on a 2-track railroad it owns that meets or beats drive time
tri-rail.com/pressreleases
Folks, I'm sorry I missed this @streetsblogsf.bsky.social Halloween interview with @cahsra.bsky.social's Choudri, but it's exciting and damning all at once: previous, super conservative grade calculations led to 13 miles/$16 billion in longer tunnels. $16 BILLION.
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/10/30/t...
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/10/30/t...
Talking Headways Podcast: Getting California High Speed Rail Done — Streetsblog USA
It took a while, but California is figuring out the best, most-cost-effective way to do fast trains.
usa.streetsblog.org
January 6, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Folks, I'm sorry I missed this @streetsblogsf.bsky.social Halloween interview with @cahsra.bsky.social's Choudri, but it's exciting and damning all at once: previous, super conservative grade calculations led to 13 miles/$16 billion in longer tunnels. $16 BILLION.
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/10/30/t...
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/10/30/t...
With CAHSR perhaps repositioning itself away from reaching Merced with the Initial Operating Segment and stopping at Madera (which would require a change in state law), adjusting to move forward with construction from Madera to Gilroy could significantly change the perception of CAHSR's utility...
January 5, 2026 at 10:27 PM
With CAHSR perhaps repositioning itself away from reaching Merced with the Initial Operating Segment and stopping at Madera (which would require a change in state law), adjusting to move forward with construction from Madera to Gilroy could significantly change the perception of CAHSR's utility...
Lining up some topic threads for the next couple weeks:
•Reality of modern intercity rail seats 💺
•Light-rail in roadway alignments🚉
•Easy existing equipment for new/expanded Amtrak routes🚆
•Next new subway?🚇
•Reality of modern intercity rail seats 💺
•Light-rail in roadway alignments🚉
•Easy existing equipment for new/expanded Amtrak routes🚆
•Next new subway?🚇
January 5, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Lining up some topic threads for the next couple weeks:
•Reality of modern intercity rail seats 💺
•Light-rail in roadway alignments🚉
•Easy existing equipment for new/expanded Amtrak routes🚆
•Next new subway?🚇
•Reality of modern intercity rail seats 💺
•Light-rail in roadway alignments🚉
•Easy existing equipment for new/expanded Amtrak routes🚆
•Next new subway?🚇
A sad farewell today today to Metro Transit’s Northstar commuter rail between Target Field Station in Minneapolis and Big Lake. Rather than a eulogy, I’ll just share a few of my photos from past visits. I believe I rode it 4 times over the years. 🛤️🚆
January 4, 2026 at 8:53 PM
A sad farewell today today to Metro Transit’s Northstar commuter rail between Target Field Station in Minneapolis and Big Lake. Rather than a eulogy, I’ll just share a few of my photos from past visits. I believe I rode it 4 times over the years. 🛤️🚆
When the West Lake Corridor opens, the U.S. will have seen a mini railroad electrification period from 2016-2026 including:
SSL West Lake: 6 mi
Caltrain: 51 mi
Denver RTD: A (23 mi)/B (6 mi)/G (11.2 mi)/N (18.5 mi)
Total: 115.7 mi
⚡️Key question: what's next...?⚡️
SSL West Lake: 6 mi
Caltrain: 51 mi
Denver RTD: A (23 mi)/B (6 mi)/G (11.2 mi)/N (18.5 mi)
Total: 115.7 mi
⚡️Key question: what's next...?⚡️
“Additional test runs — this time in daylight — are planned for January. Schedules and a revenue service debut date will follow once everyone involved signs off on the route’s readiness.”
www.trains.com/pro/passenge...
www.trains.com/pro/passenge...
South Shore stages dynamic tests on new Monon Corridor - Trains
HAMMOND, Ind. — Sometime in early 2026, passengers will be able to ride the Northern Indiana Commuter Transit District’s West Lake Extension, now designated by NICTD as the South Shore Line’s Monon Co...
www.trains.com
January 3, 2026 at 6:21 PM
When the West Lake Corridor opens, the U.S. will have seen a mini railroad electrification period from 2016-2026 including:
SSL West Lake: 6 mi
Caltrain: 51 mi
Denver RTD: A (23 mi)/B (6 mi)/G (11.2 mi)/N (18.5 mi)
Total: 115.7 mi
⚡️Key question: what's next...?⚡️
SSL West Lake: 6 mi
Caltrain: 51 mi
Denver RTD: A (23 mi)/B (6 mi)/G (11.2 mi)/N (18.5 mi)
Total: 115.7 mi
⚡️Key question: what's next...?⚡️
“Additional test runs — this time in daylight — are planned for January. Schedules and a revenue service debut date will follow once everyone involved signs off on the route’s readiness.”
www.trains.com/pro/passenge...
www.trains.com/pro/passenge...
South Shore stages dynamic tests on new Monon Corridor - Trains
HAMMOND, Ind. — Sometime in early 2026, passengers will be able to ride the Northern Indiana Commuter Transit District’s West Lake Extension, now designated by NICTD as the South Shore Line’s Monon Co...
www.trains.com
January 3, 2026 at 2:43 PM
“Additional test runs — this time in daylight — are planned for January. Schedules and a revenue service debut date will follow once everyone involved signs off on the route’s readiness.”
www.trains.com/pro/passenge...
www.trains.com/pro/passenge...