RAIL Magazine
@railmag.bsky.social
The most extensive coverage of North American passenger rail
I've been thinking about making this historic New England RRs graphic for a while
π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©Bangorπ©π©π©π©
π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©(Maine Central RR)π©π©
π¨π©π©π¨π©π¨π©π¨π©π¨π©Portland π©π¨π©π¨π©π¨
π¨π¨π¨π¨π¨π¨π¨π¨π¨(Boston & Maine RR)π¨π¨π¨π¨
π¨π₯π¨π₯π¨π₯π¨π₯Boston π¨π₯π¨π₯π¨π₯π¨π₯π¨
π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯(New Haven RR)π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯
π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯New Havenπ₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯
π₯π₯π₯π₯New Yorkπ₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯
π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©Bangorπ©π©π©π©
π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©(Maine Central RR)π©π©
π¨π©π©π¨π©π¨π©π¨π©π¨π©Portland π©π¨π©π¨π©π¨
π¨π¨π¨π¨π¨π¨π¨π¨π¨(Boston & Maine RR)π¨π¨π¨π¨
π¨π₯π¨π₯π¨π₯π¨π₯Boston π¨π₯π¨π₯π¨π₯π¨π₯π¨
π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯(New Haven RR)π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯
π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯New Havenπ₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯
π₯π₯π₯π₯New Yorkπ₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯
February 13, 2026 at 4:54 PM
I've been thinking about making this historic New England RRs graphic for a while
π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©Bangorπ©π©π©π©
π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©(Maine Central RR)π©π©
π¨π©π©π¨π©π¨π©π¨π©π¨π©Portland π©π¨π©π¨π©π¨
π¨π¨π¨π¨π¨π¨π¨π¨π¨(Boston & Maine RR)π¨π¨π¨π¨
π¨π₯π¨π₯π¨π₯π¨π₯Boston π¨π₯π¨π₯π¨π₯π¨π₯π¨
π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯(New Haven RR)π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯
π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯New Havenπ₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯
π₯π₯π₯π₯New Yorkπ₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯
π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©Bangorπ©π©π©π©
π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©(Maine Central RR)π©π©
π¨π©π©π¨π©π¨π©π¨π©π¨π©Portland π©π¨π©π¨π©π¨
π¨π¨π¨π¨π¨π¨π¨π¨π¨(Boston & Maine RR)π¨π¨π¨π¨
π¨π₯π¨π₯π¨π₯π¨π₯Boston π¨π₯π¨π₯π¨π₯π¨π₯π¨
π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯(New Haven RR)π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯
π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯New Havenπ₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯
π₯π₯π₯π₯New Yorkπ₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯
But Denver-Granby will start this far with conventional Amtrak equipment, most likely Superliners, but maybe Amfleets coming back from Cascades once the Airos arrive.
February 13, 2026 at 3:45 PM
But Denver-Granby will start this far with conventional Amtrak equipment, most likely Superliners, but maybe Amfleets coming back from Cascades once the Airos arrive.
There is no operational date for anything west of Granby currently. They need to rehab the railroad some between Bond (on the former D&RG mainline) to Phillipsburg, I believe. The CDOT plan envisions new rolling stock over the long-term. I could see Yampa Valley starting with hand-me-downs. (1/2)
February 13, 2026 at 3:45 PM
There is no operational date for anything west of Granby currently. They need to rehab the railroad some between Bond (on the former D&RG mainline) to Phillipsburg, I believe. The CDOT plan envisions new rolling stock over the long-term. I could see Yampa Valley starting with hand-me-downs. (1/2)
I think they want the ability to run non-rail service vehicles over them (emergency vehicles, etc) and if it's in the heart of the urban core where speeds aren't high, allows pedestrians to cross mid-block.
February 13, 2026 at 3:41 PM
I think they want the ability to run non-rail service vehicles over them (emergency vehicles, etc) and if it's in the heart of the urban core where speeds aren't high, allows pedestrians to cross mid-block.
I'd say it's would be a let it grow scenario, along with the nuances of the seasonal nature of the demand up there. Probably don't need 6 RTs/day in July...
But if they go ahead and buy some FLIRTs for the Yampa Valley operation, run them as much as possible during peak season.
But if they go ahead and buy some FLIRTs for the Yampa Valley operation, run them as much as possible during peak season.
February 13, 2026 at 3:38 PM
I'd say it's would be a let it grow scenario, along with the nuances of the seasonal nature of the demand up there. Probably don't need 6 RTs/day in July...
But if they go ahead and buy some FLIRTs for the Yampa Valley operation, run them as much as possible during peak season.
But if they go ahead and buy some FLIRTs for the Yampa Valley operation, run them as much as possible during peak season.
So, potentially 5 passenger RTs per day through the tunnel during WPE season?
February 13, 2026 at 3:37 PM
So, potentially 5 passenger RTs per day through the tunnel during WPE season?
Lastly, note that the service options do not include either the existing California Zephyr or Winter Park Express operations, although itβs possible the WPE could be made year-round as one of the Denver-Granby trips.
February 13, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Lastly, note that the service options do not include either the existing California Zephyr or Winter Park Express operations, although itβs possible the WPE could be made year-round as one of the Denver-Granby trips.
Also curious to see a timeline for new stations east of the Moffat Tunnel at Arvada & Rollinsville that would make the initial service even more useful. No specific locations or funding have been identified for these yetβ¦
February 13, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Also curious to see a timeline for new stations east of the Moffat Tunnel at Arvada & Rollinsville that would make the initial service even more useful. No specific locations or funding have been identified for these yetβ¦
It will be interesting to see the expanded service plans for Mountain Rail emerge after initial service to Granby gets underway. Option A with local trips for Denver-Granby and the Yampa Valley is the kind of creativity we see too little of in intercity railβ¦π€οΈπ»π
February 13, 2026 at 2:04 PM
It will be interesting to see the expanded service plans for Mountain Rail emerge after initial service to Granby gets underway. Option A with local trips for Denver-Granby and the Yampa Valley is the kind of creativity we see too little of in intercity railβ¦π€οΈπ»π
Haven't heard anything so far. I'd guess for the initial startup, it would be either Superliners or Amfleets, perhaps the some of the Amfleets currently up on the Cascades as the Airos enter service...
February 12, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Haven't heard anything so far. I'd guess for the initial startup, it would be either Superliners or Amfleets, perhaps the some of the Amfleets currently up on the Cascades as the Airos enter service...
So, since the Zephyr and WPE are both morning out/evening in for Denver, this may end up being morning in/evening out. Something like:
DEP Granby 6:54 am -> ARR DEN 10:27 am
DEP DEN 6:46 pm -> ARR Granby 9:22 pm
(just modified current Zephyr schedule times for convenience).
But just speculation...
DEP Granby 6:54 am -> ARR DEN 10:27 am
DEP DEN 6:46 pm -> ARR Granby 9:22 pm
(just modified current Zephyr schedule times for convenience).
But just speculation...
February 12, 2026 at 10:10 PM
So, since the Zephyr and WPE are both morning out/evening in for Denver, this may end up being morning in/evening out. Something like:
DEP Granby 6:54 am -> ARR DEN 10:27 am
DEP DEN 6:46 pm -> ARR Granby 9:22 pm
(just modified current Zephyr schedule times for convenience).
But just speculation...
DEP Granby 6:54 am -> ARR DEN 10:27 am
DEP DEN 6:46 pm -> ARR Granby 9:22 pm
(just modified current Zephyr schedule times for convenience).
But just speculation...
My initial thinking is since they've committed to run the seasonal Winter Park Express in addition to this train, that the schedule will not be aligned with when the ski resort is open. Plus they may not configure the train for handling skis/equipment.
But they should stop in Fraser regardless.
But they should stop in Fraser regardless.
February 12, 2026 at 10:00 PM
My initial thinking is since they've committed to run the seasonal Winter Park Express in addition to this train, that the schedule will not be aligned with when the ski resort is open. Plus they may not configure the train for handling skis/equipment.
But they should stop in Fraser regardless.
But they should stop in Fraser regardless.
βThe Mountain Rail service is expected to begin year-round daily service between Denver and Granby by 2026, with future expansions planned to Winter Park, Steamboat Springs, Craig and Hayden.β
www.craigdailypress.com/news/mountai...
www.craigdailypress.com/news/mountai...
Mountain Rail charges toward November launch of Phase 1 passenger rail service
Members of the Mountain Rail Coalition gathered virtually on Jan. 22 to celebrate key milestones, strategize on sustaining political support and advance station planning as the Colorado Department of ...
www.craigdailypress.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:46 PM
βThe Mountain Rail service is expected to begin year-round daily service between Denver and Granby by 2026, with future expansions planned to Winter Park, Steamboat Springs, Craig and Hayden.β
www.craigdailypress.com/news/mountai...
www.craigdailypress.com/news/mountai...
FFGA: Full Funding Grant Agreement
When the FTA and designated recipient (usually the transit agency) agree to the level of federal funding committed to the project and FTAβs oversight role so that construction may begin.
When the FTA and designated recipient (usually the transit agency) agree to the level of federal funding committed to the project and FTAβs oversight role so that construction may begin.
February 12, 2026 at 1:46 PM
FFGA: Full Funding Grant Agreement
When the FTA and designated recipient (usually the transit agency) agree to the level of federal funding committed to the project and FTAβs oversight role so that construction may begin.
When the FTA and designated recipient (usually the transit agency) agree to the level of federal funding committed to the project and FTAβs oversight role so that construction may begin.
As a native Buffaloanian (who could walk to University station) I have:
β’cautious restraint: still needs an FTA rating, non-federal funding commitments & then FFGA.
β’cautious optimism: a Metro Rail extension process has never gotten this far since the systemβs opening.ππ
β’cautious restraint: still needs an FTA rating, non-federal funding commitments & then FFGA.
β’cautious optimism: a Metro Rail extension process has never gotten this far since the systemβs opening.ππ
Feds sign off on NFTAβs Metro Rail expansion plan (Final EIS) from Buffalo to SUNY-Buffalo (UB) North campus in Amherst | @wgrztv.bsky.social - www.wgrz.com/article/traf...
NFTA light-rail extension gets green light from federal transit agency
Federal officials have approved NFTA-Metroβs light-rail expansion plan, a key step toward extending service to Tonawanda, Amherst, and UBβs North Campus.
www.wgrz.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:42 PM
As a native Buffaloanian (who could walk to University station) I have:
β’cautious restraint: still needs an FTA rating, non-federal funding commitments & then FFGA.
β’cautious optimism: a Metro Rail extension process has never gotten this far since the systemβs opening.ππ
β’cautious restraint: still needs an FTA rating, non-federal funding commitments & then FFGA.
β’cautious optimism: a Metro Rail extension process has never gotten this far since the systemβs opening.ππ
Sound Transit βsimulated serviceβ will add to light rail schedules as Crosslake Connection to 2 Line approaches revenue service launch on March 28 | Trains Magazine - www.trains.com/pro/passenge...
Sound Transit βsimulated serviceβ will add to light rail schedules - Trains
SEATTLE β Sound Transit will begin simulated service on its new light rail Crosslake Connection on Saturday, Feb. 14, giving passengers the chance to ride additional trains on the Link 1 Line between ...
www.trains.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Sound Transit βsimulated serviceβ will add to light rail schedules as Crosslake Connection to 2 Line approaches revenue service launch on March 28 | Trains Magazine - www.trains.com/pro/passenge...
Looking at how bad Toronto has bungled its surface sections of its 2 new lines, DART's 4 lines on city streets have really good flow in comparison. TSP is pretty decent and they've got operating habits in good sinus rhythm usually.
It's decoupling the 4-route interlining that made D2 really valuable
It's decoupling the 4-route interlining that made D2 really valuable
February 11, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Looking at how bad Toronto has bungled its surface sections of its 2 new lines, DART's 4 lines on city streets have really good flow in comparison. TSP is pretty decent and they've got operating habits in good sinus rhythm usually.
It's decoupling the 4-route interlining that made D2 really valuable
It's decoupling the 4-route interlining that made D2 really valuable
Feds sign off on NFTAβs Metro Rail expansion plan (Final EIS) from Buffalo to SUNY-Buffalo (UB) North campus in Amherst | @wgrztv.bsky.social - www.wgrz.com/article/traf...
NFTA light-rail extension gets green light from federal transit agency
Federal officials have approved NFTA-Metroβs light-rail expansion plan, a key step toward extending service to Tonawanda, Amherst, and UBβs North Campus.
www.wgrz.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:53 PM
Feds sign off on NFTAβs Metro Rail expansion plan (Final EIS) from Buffalo to SUNY-Buffalo (UB) North campus in Amherst | @wgrztv.bsky.social - www.wgrz.com/article/traf...
Reposted by RAIL Magazine
So do Japan, France, Italy and Germany
Yes, China has impressive high-speed trains. That is no reason for the West to adopt iron-fisted rule
Are liberal values a luxury the West cannot afford?
Yes, China has impressive high-speed trains. That is no reason for the West to adopt iron-fisted rule
econ.st
February 10, 2026 at 11:41 PM
So do Japan, France, Italy and Germany
So much new passenger rail going on in Mexico these days (compared to prior decades). On February 2nd, the El Insurgente line (previously known as Tren Interurbano) extended 8.4 km to connect with the Mexico City Metro Line 1 at Observatorio station. It uses CAF EMUs in serving 57 km to Toluca.
El Insurgente creates an interchanage with Mexico Cityβs metro
MEXICO: The El Insurgente suburban rail service in Mexico City has been extended from Santa Fe to Observatorio, where meets metro Line 1.
www.railwaygazette.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:52 PM
So much new passenger rail going on in Mexico these days (compared to prior decades). On February 2nd, the El Insurgente line (previously known as Tren Interurbano) extended 8.4 km to connect with the Mexico City Metro Line 1 at Observatorio station. It uses CAF EMUs in serving 57 km to Toluca.
Actual Des Moines; UP's former Rock Island main line in orange below, generally running north-south. Station location in relation to the heart of downtown could be sub-optimal, though.
February 10, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Actual Des Moines; UP's former Rock Island main line in orange below, generally running north-south. Station location in relation to the heart of downtown could be sub-optimal, though.
Not firing at Matt here, but expounding on a question you may have: how do we serve Twin Cities-Rochester (MN)? I don't think it's via the MSP-KC corridor (sorta wrong direction). Existing rail is indirect/slow. ZipRail failed. Only way really is greenfield HSR en route to La Crosse & Madison-> CHI.
February 10, 2026 at 1:48 PM
Not firing at Matt here, but expounding on a question you may have: how do we serve Twin Cities-Rochester (MN)? I don't think it's via the MSP-KC corridor (sorta wrong direction). Existing rail is indirect/slow. ZipRail failed. Only way really is greenfield HSR en route to La Crosse & Madison-> CHI.
I disagree. Rochester is not in the direction of Des Moines & KC, and getting there from the Twin Cities almost certainly requires significant infrastructure improvements, if not a new railroad entirely.
Meanwhile, there's latent capacity on UP's former Rock Island corridor to run trains soon.
Meanwhile, there's latent capacity on UP's former Rock Island corridor to run trains soon.
February 9, 2026 at 11:00 PM
I disagree. Rochester is not in the direction of Des Moines & KC, and getting there from the Twin Cities almost certainly requires significant infrastructure improvements, if not a new railroad entirely.
Meanwhile, there's latent capacity on UP's former Rock Island corridor to run trains soon.
Meanwhile, there's latent capacity on UP's former Rock Island corridor to run trains soon.
Twin Cities (Empire Builder/Borealis)
Albert Lea
Mason City
Des Moines
Chariton (California Zephyr)
Kansas City (Southwest Chief/MO Rail Runner)
Would be a great corridor with great connections!π€οΈπ
www.bizjournals.com/twincities/n...
Albert Lea
Mason City
Des Moines
Chariton (California Zephyr)
Kansas City (Southwest Chief/MO Rail Runner)
Would be a great corridor with great connections!π€οΈπ
www.bizjournals.com/twincities/n...
St. Paul backs study of passenger rail to Kansas City after Borealis success - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal
St. Paul City Council opened the door to a passenger rail service to Kansas City and other Minnesota cities after the success of the recent Borealis route. Learn what steps have been taken and how the...
www.bizjournals.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:53 PM
Twin Cities (Empire Builder/Borealis)
Albert Lea
Mason City
Des Moines
Chariton (California Zephyr)
Kansas City (Southwest Chief/MO Rail Runner)
Would be a great corridor with great connections!π€οΈπ
www.bizjournals.com/twincities/n...
Albert Lea
Mason City
Des Moines
Chariton (California Zephyr)
Kansas City (Southwest Chief/MO Rail Runner)
Would be a great corridor with great connections!π€οΈπ
www.bizjournals.com/twincities/n...