RAIL Magazine
@railmag.bsky.social
The most extensive coverage of North American passenger rail
Had a very short work trip to Rockville, MD yesterday, so took the 1:30 pm early outbound MARC Brunswick Line up from Union Station. I hadn’t ridden any part of this route in probably a decade. I’m now aboard the Metro Red Line back towards DCA this morning.
December 20, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Had a very short work trip to Rockville, MD yesterday, so took the 1:30 pm early outbound MARC Brunswick Line up from Union Station. I hadn’t ridden any part of this route in probably a decade. I’m now aboard the Metro Red Line back towards DCA this morning.
The first of 2 Tunnel Boring Machines for the new Hudson River Gateway Tunnel has been shipped from Germany, according to NYC View From Above on FB
December 16, 2025 at 3:26 PM
The first of 2 Tunnel Boring Machines for the new Hudson River Gateway Tunnel has been shipped from Germany, according to NYC View From Above on FB
Has anyone heard any news or updates on Tren Maya or Tren Interoceánico recently? A smattering of news suggest Maya has carried 1.2 million total riders and work is underway to grow freight service.
How about full buildout & electrification?
Are HSTs operating on Interoceánico?
How about full buildout & electrification?
Are HSTs operating on Interoceánico?
December 14, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Has anyone heard any news or updates on Tren Maya or Tren Interoceánico recently? A smattering of news suggest Maya has carried 1.2 million total riders and work is underway to grow freight service.
How about full buildout & electrification?
Are HSTs operating on Interoceánico?
How about full buildout & electrification?
Are HSTs operating on Interoceánico?
There just needs to be a real frank discussion on the travel time. No less than 90 minutes. Here’s the last schedule before Katrina. Not sure it would be attractive for the early morning departure out of Mobile or the evening return there. But maybe start with the daylight 24/25 combo.
December 13, 2025 at 11:52 PM
There just needs to be a real frank discussion on the travel time. No less than 90 minutes. Here’s the last schedule before Katrina. Not sure it would be attractive for the early morning departure out of Mobile or the evening return there. But maybe start with the daylight 24/25 combo.
Of course, there are challenges, namely a new argument with the Port of Mobile would be needed. And the routing from Mobile-Pensacola is indirect. And would require additional funding.
But it’s always good to have a train that people wish would go further than for it to go away!
But it’s always good to have a train that people wish would go further than for it to go away!
December 13, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Of course, there are challenges, namely a new argument with the Port of Mobile would be needed. And the routing from Mobile-Pensacola is indirect. And would require additional funding.
But it’s always good to have a train that people wish would go further than for it to go away!
But it’s always good to have a train that people wish would go further than for it to go away!
People are really angry about Amtrak’s new Mardi Gras service.
Really angry it doesn’t go to Pensacola!
(Graphic from Downtown Mobile Today)
Really angry it doesn’t go to Pensacola!
(Graphic from Downtown Mobile Today)
December 13, 2025 at 11:39 PM
People are really angry about Amtrak’s new Mardi Gras service.
Really angry it doesn’t go to Pensacola!
(Graphic from Downtown Mobile Today)
Really angry it doesn’t go to Pensacola!
(Graphic from Downtown Mobile Today)
Here’s Amtrak’s proposed Scranton schedule, which includes NJ Transit input on schedule optimization east of Dover. It likely won’t be any different on weekends (it’s confusing enough as is). I don’t know what NJT’s plans are for Andover so far…
December 12, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Here’s Amtrak’s proposed Scranton schedule, which includes NJ Transit input on schedule optimization east of Dover. It likely won’t be any different on weekends (it’s confusing enough as is). I don’t know what NJT’s plans are for Andover so far…
Here’s the Amtrak proposed map
December 12, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Here’s the Amtrak proposed map
If your city doesn’t have a gingerbread streetcar, it celebrates the holidays less sufficiently than the Ritz-Carlton on Canal St in New Orleans.
December 11, 2025 at 10:52 PM
If your city doesn’t have a gingerbread streetcar, it celebrates the holidays less sufficiently than the Ritz-Carlton on Canal St in New Orleans.
If your city doesn’t have a gingerbread streetcar, it celebrates the holidays less sufficiently than the Ritz-Carlton on Canal St in New Orleans.
December 11, 2025 at 10:50 PM
If your city doesn’t have a gingerbread streetcar, it celebrates the holidays less sufficiently than the Ritz-Carlton on Canal St in New Orleans.
Raise your hand if you ever rode WMATA’s stand-alone Green Line branch or the Shortcut over the Red Line to Farragut North via the Green-Red connecting track…
Me: 🙋🏻♂️
The northern Green Line branch from Fort Totten-Greenbelt opened today in 1993, 32 years ago.
Me: 🙋🏻♂️
The northern Green Line branch from Fort Totten-Greenbelt opened today in 1993, 32 years ago.
December 11, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Raise your hand if you ever rode WMATA’s stand-alone Green Line branch or the Shortcut over the Red Line to Farragut North via the Green-Red connecting track…
Me: 🙋🏻♂️
The northern Green Line branch from Fort Totten-Greenbelt opened today in 1993, 32 years ago.
Me: 🙋🏻♂️
The northern Green Line branch from Fort Totten-Greenbelt opened today in 1993, 32 years ago.
From outside my Austin hotel this morning: Amtrak #22 - the northbound Texas Eagle, en route from San Antonio to Chicago - crosses the Colorado River (Lady Bird Lake) and will stop at the Austin station just on the other side of the river. It was running within 2 minutes of schedule.
December 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
From outside my Austin hotel this morning: Amtrak #22 - the northbound Texas Eagle, en route from San Antonio to Chicago - crosses the Colorado River (Lady Bird Lake) and will stop at the Austin station just on the other side of the river. It was running within 2 minutes of schedule.
Mother of pearl: Amtrak's Floridian, which departed Chicago on Monday (12/8) is nearly 8 hours late, currently traveling through South Carolina, but nearly all that delay was recorded between Chicago and South Bend. First locomotive issues than an "equipment adjustment".😧
December 10, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Mother of pearl: Amtrak's Floridian, which departed Chicago on Monday (12/8) is nearly 8 hours late, currently traveling through South Carolina, but nearly all that delay was recorded between Chicago and South Bend. First locomotive issues than an "equipment adjustment".😧
And scenes inside the Bus Plaza.
December 9, 2025 at 11:42 PM
And scenes inside the Bus Plaza.
More scenes outside at the Eastside Bus Plaza. Other CARTS Interurban routes reach Taylor and Lockhart/Luling, plus about a half-dozen CapMetro routes.
December 9, 2025 at 11:42 PM
More scenes outside at the Eastside Bus Plaza. Other CARTS Interurban routes reach Taylor and Lockhart/Luling, plus about a half-dozen CapMetro routes.
Took @capmetroatx.bsky.social ’s Route 2 to the Eastside Bus Plaza, which is officially owned/managed by CARTS, the 9-county regional transit system surrounding Austin. It also serves Greyhound/Flix, with CARTS & intercity routes serving Dallas, Houston, Laredo, Monterrey, Bastrop, San Marcos & more
December 9, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Took @capmetroatx.bsky.social ’s Route 2 to the Eastside Bus Plaza, which is officially owned/managed by CARTS, the 9-county regional transit system surrounding Austin. It also serves Greyhound/Flix, with CARTS & intercity routes serving Dallas, Houston, Laredo, Monterrey, Bastrop, San Marcos & more
Good morning from ATX, where you wear your @capmetroatx.bsky.social socks 🧦
December 8, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Good morning from ATX, where you wear your @capmetroatx.bsky.social socks 🧦
I was hoping to find this photo yesterday. It needs to be this easy. Often the conductors are on the platform pointing to the other train. Don’t make people transfer by going over or under without at least 10 mins to transfer.
December 7, 2025 at 8:05 PM
I was hoping to find this photo yesterday. It needs to be this easy. Often the conductors are on the platform pointing to the other train. Don’t make people transfer by going over or under without at least 10 mins to transfer.
Congrats to Sound Transit on the opening of the 7.8-mile (12.6 km) Link 1 Line extension to Federal Way yesterday and Metrolinx / @ttcalerts.bsky.social on the debut of the 11-kilometer (6.8 mi) Finch West LRT today!
December 7, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Congrats to Sound Transit on the opening of the 7.8-mile (12.6 km) Link 1 Line extension to Federal Way yesterday and Metrolinx / @ttcalerts.bsky.social on the debut of the 11-kilometer (6.8 mi) Finch West LRT today!
I’m always receptive to arguments (especially with data/modeling) to split up corridors with well-timed transfers for reliability.
But I’m also receptive when a longer corridor is serving few end-to-end riders but offers myriad permutations of city pairs. @hsrail.bsky.social has some nice graphics.
But I’m also receptive when a longer corridor is serving few end-to-end riders but offers myriad permutations of city pairs. @hsrail.bsky.social has some nice graphics.
December 6, 2025 at 11:49 PM
I’m always receptive to arguments (especially with data/modeling) to split up corridors with well-timed transfers for reliability.
But I’m also receptive when a longer corridor is serving few end-to-end riders but offers myriad permutations of city pairs. @hsrail.bsky.social has some nice graphics.
But I’m also receptive when a longer corridor is serving few end-to-end riders but offers myriad permutations of city pairs. @hsrail.bsky.social has some nice graphics.
According to this MOA shared by MidwesternRPA on the other platform, Metra and the MARK (Milwaukee Area Racine Kenosha) Commuter Rail Commission are exploring Metra operating KRM service under contract to the Commission - the most obvious solution to connecting Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee…🚆
December 6, 2025 at 4:56 PM
According to this MOA shared by MidwesternRPA on the other platform, Metra and the MARK (Milwaukee Area Racine Kenosha) Commuter Rail Commission are exploring Metra operating KRM service under contract to the Commission - the most obvious solution to connecting Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee…🚆
Tip for private photographers, influencers, pedestrians, rookie railfans & general public:
If train tracks you are near look like those at left (top of rail is shiny silver), don’t be on them at any time/place but for designated crossings.
Abandoned look like the at right: rusted on top, go nowhere.
If train tracks you are near look like those at left (top of rail is shiny silver), don’t be on them at any time/place but for designated crossings.
Abandoned look like the at right: rusted on top, go nowhere.
December 2, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Tip for private photographers, influencers, pedestrians, rookie railfans & general public:
If train tracks you are near look like those at left (top of rail is shiny silver), don’t be on them at any time/place but for designated crossings.
Abandoned look like the at right: rusted on top, go nowhere.
If train tracks you are near look like those at left (top of rail is shiny silver), don’t be on them at any time/place but for designated crossings.
Abandoned look like the at right: rusted on top, go nowhere.
It’s to the level of the car bodies themselves and major components. Metallurgy fatigue, rust, cracks. A result of choices in design materials, not maintenance.
This is why stainless steel proponents are so insistent about their durability vs aluminum & composites. HSR sets need to be lighter.
This is why stainless steel proponents are so insistent about their durability vs aluminum & composites. HSR sets need to be lighter.
December 1, 2025 at 2:36 PM
It’s to the level of the car bodies themselves and major components. Metallurgy fatigue, rust, cracks. A result of choices in design materials, not maintenance.
This is why stainless steel proponents are so insistent about their durability vs aluminum & composites. HSR sets need to be lighter.
This is why stainless steel proponents are so insistent about their durability vs aluminum & composites. HSR sets need to be lighter.
A bugaboo for me has been that there should be a use for the original Acela coaches once the Avelias are all in service. But examples like this show most of them will just be too shoddy to do much with aside from stationary displays at RR museums…
December 1, 2025 at 2:11 PM
A bugaboo for me has been that there should be a use for the original Acela coaches once the Avelias are all in service. But examples like this show most of them will just be too shoddy to do much with aside from stationary displays at RR museums…
“So, never mind the darkness
We still can find a way
Nothin' lasts forever
Even cold November rain…”
(Rose photo from our rose garden here in drizzly Baton Rouge this last day of November; being from Buffalo, I miss snow but roses in late fall are a nice consolation prize…)
We still can find a way
Nothin' lasts forever
Even cold November rain…”
(Rose photo from our rose garden here in drizzly Baton Rouge this last day of November; being from Buffalo, I miss snow but roses in late fall are a nice consolation prize…)
November 30, 2025 at 7:18 PM
“So, never mind the darkness
We still can find a way
Nothin' lasts forever
Even cold November rain…”
(Rose photo from our rose garden here in drizzly Baton Rouge this last day of November; being from Buffalo, I miss snow but roses in late fall are a nice consolation prize…)
We still can find a way
Nothin' lasts forever
Even cold November rain…”
(Rose photo from our rose garden here in drizzly Baton Rouge this last day of November; being from Buffalo, I miss snow but roses in late fall are a nice consolation prize…)