The Toys for Tots Train is put together at Oak Island Yard, N.J., earlier today. Juniata Terminal BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — This year’s version of the New York Capital Region Toys for Tots train offers a special treat for railfans in addition to gifts for children: perhaps the last mainline run of two privately-owned former Pennsylvania […]
Amtrak diner No. 8502, formerly Burlington’s “Silver Cuisine,” stored in Chicago in August 2016. Bob Johnston The heritage diners being offered for sale by Amtrak, as well as those still on the roster (click to enlarge). Passenger Adelaide Mondesir headed to New York contemplates the Florida scenery at breakfast in former Southern diner 8521 on […]
A VIA Rail Canada corridor train departs Montreal in September 2014. A report says VIA is prepared to award the contract for new corridor equipment to Siemens. TRAINS: David Lassen MONTREAL — VIA Rail Canada is reportedly prepared to award its contract for new equipment to German’s Siemens, to the dismay of officials in Quebec, […]
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority AEM-7 No. 2307 pushes a train away from Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station in September 2016. TRAINS: Steve Sweeney A close-up image of Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority AEM-7 No. 2304 paused at Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station in September 2016. TRAINS: Steve Sweeney PHILADELPHIA — The Toasters are finally toast. Philadelphia’s commuter agency […]
Metra and BNSF Railway trains meet at the Cicero Metra station in August 2017. A derailment Monday on the track on the right, the connection from the Belt Railway of Chicago to the BNSF, has led to inbound Metra trains skipping the Cicero stop this morning, because of damage to the structure at the end […]
The original wooden frames of the replica Pioneer coach have been replaced with steel to meet Federal Railroad Administration standards. Although the hardwood floors and wainscoting on the walls hearken back to the 19th century, the car has been wired for electricity. Tim Kidwell The Pioneer coach at the C&NW depot in Fond du Lac, […]
An aerial view of the General Motors plant in Lordstown, Ohio. General Motors In the wake of General Motors’ plant closure announcements, stocks of affected railroads were down in morning trading on Tuesday. GM’s announcement yesterday to halt production at five plants in North America includes three major auto assembly facilities served by Norfolk Southern, […]
A Park observation car and three sleepers swell the consist of a bear-watching season VIA train ready to depart from Churchill, Man., on Oct. 11, 2016. When service resumes from Winnipeg, Man., on Dec. 2, the off-peak train will operate with one sleeping car, two coaches, a dining car, and a baggage car. Bob Johnston […]
An Amtrak Acela Express rolls through Old Saybrook, Conn., in 2016. Passengers on a stalled Acela trainset during the holiday weekend had to use a cardboard box as a toilet. Scott A. Hartley NEW YORK — When an electrically-powered train loses power, nothing works. That includes toilets. And as a delay mounts, the train may […]
DETROIT — General Motors announced Monday that it will cease production at three automotive assembly plants and two transmission plants in North America next year, a decision sure to impact the railroads that serve them. The largest of the assembly plants slated for shutdown is the 6.2-million acre Lordstown Complex in Warren, Ohio, that produces […]
Norfolk Southern says this August derailment onto a Pittsburgh light rail line was caused by a broken rail. Port Authority of Allegheny County (Pa.) PITTSBURGH — Norfolk Southern says a broken rail caused the August derailment which sent cars from a stack train tumbling onto a station of Pittsburgh’s light rail system. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review […]
This map of coastal Santa Cruz County shows a potential commuter rail line in red. Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission WATSONVILLE, Calif. — The agency examining a transit plan, including commuter rail, for Santa Cruz County has deferred its decision until January. At a Nov. 15 meeting, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission […]
