MASSACHUSETTS state governor Mr Deval Patrick announced on October 22 that Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will recommend CNR Changchun as preferred supplier for a contract to supply 284 metro cars for Boston.

CANADIAN Pacific Railway (CP) announced on October 20 that it has terminated exploratory discussions with CSX Corporation on a potential merger which would have created North America's largest freight railway.

LOS ANGELES County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) has taken delivery of a pre-series LRV from Kinkisharyo under a contract for 78 vehicles awarded in April 2012.

THE New Mexico Border Authority has selected HNTB to perform an extensive feasibility study of a new railway bypass and international border crossing with Mexico near Santa Teresa, close to the New Mexico-Texas state line.

CHICAGO commuter operator Metra has announced that it will replace its ageing coaches and locomotives through a $US 2.4bn phased purchasing programme, the first long-term rolling stock plan in the history of the operator.

DYNAMIC testing began on Atlanta's first modern tram line on October 1, when the first of four Siemens LRVs travelled the entire length of the 4.3km route under its own power.

CALIFORNIA High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) issued a request for expressions of interest on October 2 for a contract to supply the train fleet and rolling stock maintenance facilities for the first phase of the state's high-speed network.

A GROUNDBREAKING ceremony was held in Little Tokyo on September 30 to mark the start of construction on the 3km Regional Connector light rail link in Los Angeles city centre.

ALL Aboard Florida, the inter-city passenger subsidiary of Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) has selected Siemens to supply locomotives and rolling stock for the initial phase of its passenger services which will link Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach from late 2016.

CALIFORNIAN commuter rail operator Caltrain has launched a public consultation on its future electric train fleet as part of plans to electrify the 82km San Francisco – San Jose line.