Brightline West now aims for completion in late 2029

People lined up to tap spikes with hammers

LAS VEGAS — The completion date for the Brightline West high-speed rail project has been pushed back again, this time to late 2029. The company informed KVVU-TV of that date last week, but not did elaborate on reasons for the new estimate. It did say the project is in the “civil construction” phase, preparing the […]

Read More…

Channel Tunnel service resumes, but delays, cancellations linger

LONDON — Rail service has resumed through the Channel Tunnel after a Tuesday shutdown, but delays continue today (Dec. 31) for trains packed with delayed travelers. The UK newspaper The Independent reports 30 Eurostar trains were cancelled Tuesday, and at least one that did operate arrived in Paris some 12 hours behind schedule. In all, […]

Read More…

California drops suit over cancellation of high-speed rail funding

New five-track rail yard surrounded by farmland

SACRAMENTO — California has ended its lawsuit over $4 billion in grant funding cancelled by the Trump administration, Bloomberg reports, deciding it can no longer rely on help for the project from the federal government. “This action reflects the state’s assessment that the federal government is not a reliable, constructive, or trustworthy partner in advancing […]

Read More…

Bachmann HO Amtrak Acela II set

Color photo showing two modern streamlined locomotives and three passenger cars in red, white, and blue paint on white background.

Bachmann HO Amtrak Acela II set Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Set, $799; separate-sale Business Class cars, $139 each Manufacturer: Bachmann Industries Inc., 1400 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124; 215-533-1600; shop.bachmanntrains.com Bachmann HO Amtrak Acela II set features: One powered direct-current locomotive with working, directional light-emitting-diode headlights and marker lights; operating ditch lights and number […]

Read More…

Canadian high-speed operation envisions up to 72 trains daily

Dark green high speed train in snowy landscape

MONTREAL — Internal documents of the company developing Canada’s planned high-speed rail route say the planned line between Toronto and Quebec City could see up to 72 trains per day. A Canadian Press report says the figure comes from draft versions of a 2023 technical briefing, which the news organization obtained through an access-to-information request. […]

Read More…

Sunset Models Amtrak NextGen Acela

The logo for Third & Townsend Models

The Sunset Models Amtrak NextGen Acela (Acela II) was announced at the York Train Fair, hosted by the Eastern Division of the Train Collectors Association in late October. The O scale train, based on prototypes that operate in the Northeast Corridor, will be offered in two- and three-rail versions. The Acela II will be available […]

Read More…

Brightline West seeks $6 billion federal loan as construction costs rise

View of interstate highway in desert

WASHINGTON — Brightline West is seeking a $6 billion government loan to address increased construction costs for its planned route between Southern California and Las Vegas, Nev. A Department of Transportation document indicates the company behind the project, DesertXpress Enterprises, LLC, applied for the loan under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, which dates […]

Read More…