EBT reopens more track; chairman confirms full-restoration goal

Steam engine with train on curve next to park

ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa.— As East Broad Top trains last weekend christened 1.3  miles of restored mainline track that had lain dormant since 1956, EBT Foundation Chairman Henry Posner reiterated the nonprofit group’s resolve to rebuild the tourist line another 18 miles up to the coal-mining region that gave the narrow gauge line its reason for […]

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Canadian appeals court gives CN Toronto-area intermodal facility the go-ahead

Rendering of proposed rail yard

OTTAWA, Ontario — Canada’s Federal Court of Appeals has overturned a lower-court ruling blocking Canadian National Railway’s development of a Toronto-area intermodal facility, allowing construction of the terminal to move forward. The Canadian Press reports that a three-judge panel ruled on Friday that the federal government’s decision to allow construction of the facility in Milton, […]

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Santa Fe No. 2926 showcased at New Mexico Railroad Days

Steam locomotive in rail yard with modern diesels

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The second annual New Mexico Railroad Days, Sept. 28 and 29, marked the first public use of the Rail Yards’ south-end property in Downtown Albuquerque. What hasn’t changed was the drawing card of Santa Fe 4-8-4 No. 2926, as it made its second visit of the year to the facility [See “Santa […]

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How Amtrak’s long-distance capacity affects pricing: Analysis

Train kicking up dust near sunset

WASHINGTON — It’s more expensive than ever to get into a bedroom or roomette on Amtrak’s overnight long-distance trains — if the accommodations are available at all on the preferred travel date. Coach passengers also endure high prices and sellouts when their destination is served by a once-daily, limited-capacity train that has an especially busy […]

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Metra O’Hare shuttle sees minimal use during Democratic convention

View of three-car train from atop building

CHICAGO — Only about 2,400 people rode Metra’s shuttle service between O’Hare International Airport and Chicago Union Station during the special service operated in August during the Democratic National Convention, the commuter operator says. That’s only about 120 per day during the Aug. 11-30 operation. Still, Metra would like to make the service permanent. Metra […]

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Denver commuter rail operators vote to join Teamsters

Denver_ALine_Lassen

DENVER — Workers for the contract operator of the Denver-area commuter rail system have voted to organize with Teamsters Local 17, the union announced Friday. Denver Transit Operators holds a 29-year contract to operate the Regional Transportation District’s commuter rail system, which operations from Denver Union Station and includes the A Line to Denver International […]

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News photo: A first at East Broad Top

Steam engine and train in evening light

ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — A Friends of East Broad Top special on Saturday, Oct. 5, became the first train to operate on a section of newly restored main line trackage to the south of the railroad’s Rockhill Furnace headquarters. About 200 people were on board the six-car train that ran Saturday evening after the end […]

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News photo: Iowa Interstate Family Days train

Passenger train with three cars and locomotive at each end

BLUE ISLAND, Ill. — Iowa Interstate Railroad operated a Family Days passenger train from Blue Island, Ill., its Chicago-area gateway, to Mokena, Ill., on Saturday, Oct. 5 to celebrate the railroad’s 40th anniversary. Railroad President Joe Parsons was on handle to welcome families and employees past and present, and thank them for their dedication. The […]

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News photo: NJ Transit’s newest heritage unit

Blue diesel locomotive with white lettering

KEARNY, N.J. — NJ Transit has unveiled the newest member of its heritage locomotive fleet. On Saturday, Oct. 5, the agency posted a photo of GP40PH-2B No. 4208 on social media, freshly painted in Conrail blue. In posts on X.com, NJ Transit explained that Conrail was the immediate corporate predecessor to NJ Transit Rail Operations, […]

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