December 2021 – Railfanning.org

NJ Transit Proceeding With $595 Million Project to Replace Raritan River Bridge

December 28, 2021 The Center Square

NJ Transit is moving forward with a $595 million project to replace the moveable, swing-span Raritan River Bridge between Perth Amboy and South Amboy.

New Jersey to Update its State Freight Rail Plan in 2022

December 24, 2021 The Center Square

New Jersey officials will update the State Freight Plan (SFP) over the next year, a move that could help the state access millions in federal dollars.

STB Approves Sale of Rail Lines in Wisconsin and Michigan

December 21, 2021 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has approved CN’s sale to Watco of non-core lines and assets on approximately 650 miles of branch lines of Wisconsin Central Ltd. in Wisconsin and Michigan.

Smyrna, Georgia, Will Not Declare January 31, 2022, as Atlanta Northern Railway Day

December 20, 2021 Railfanning.org News Wire

Officials here have declined to proclaim January 31, 2022, as Atlanta Northern Railway Day.

Engineer Pleads Guilty to Running Locomotive Off Railroad Tracks Near Hospital Ship

December 17, 2021 Railfanning.org News Wire

A train engineer at the Port of Los Angeles pleaded guilty to a federal charge of running a locomotive at full speed off the end of railroad tracks near a United States Navy hospital ship.

MTA Awards Design-Build Contract for Penn Station Access Project

December 16, 2021 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has approved a design-build contract for the Penn Station Access Project.

A N.J. Transit train departs from Montvale, N.J. on Feb. 10, 2016.

Bill Would Increase Penalty for Assaulting Transit Employees in New Jersey

December 13, 2021 The Center Square

The New Jersey Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities has advanced legislation to increase the penalty for anyone who assaults a bus operator or passenger railroad employee in the state.

After Operating for Nearly 60 Years, New York Subway to Retire its R-32s

December 13, 2021 Railfanning.org News Wire

The venerable rail cars, nicknamed the Brightliners, have operated for 58 years, making them some of the oldest subway cars to operate in the world.

Cost of Caltrain Electrification Project Increases to $2.44 Billion

December 11, 2021 The Center Square

A Caltrain project that would electrify a corridor of stations in the Bay Area is coming in $462 million over initial estimates, increasing the project’s price to $2.44 billion, Caltrain announced this week.

Miscellaneous

Greenbrier Receives Railcar Orders Totaling $670 Million

December 9, 2021 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Greenbrier Companies received new orders of 6,200 units valued at $670 million during the first fiscal quarter that began on Sept. 1.