SCRANTON, Pa. — While work continues on Boston & Maine 4-6-2 No. 3713, Steamtown National Historic Site is already considering what locomotive it will restore next and the shortlist includes a surprising candidate. Steamtown Superintendent Deborah Conway tells Trains News Wire that Canadian National 2-8-2 No. 3377 is a “likely candidate” for restoration once the […]
Section: News Wire
UP adopts precision scheduled railroading with Unified Plan 2020 NEWSWIRE

UP Monday announced plans to reorganize its system following precision scheduled railroading principles. This southbound auto rack train was at Nunn, Colo., in June 2018. Trains: Jim Wrinn OMAHA, Neb. – Union Pacific today announced its Unified Plan 2020, a new operating plan that implements Precision Scheduled Railroading principles. Unified Plan 2020 will launch Oct. […]
Bottling the air led to 2017 Quebec runaway NEWSWIRE
DORVAL, Quebec – In its investigation report (R17Q0061) released today, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) determined that bottling of the air in the brake pipe during switching operations led to the July 2017 uncontrolled movement of rail cars in Mai, located 128 miles north of Sept-Îles, Quebec. On 25 July 2017, a southbound […]
First shell for Avelia Liberty power car is completed NEWSWIRE

An artist’s conception of the Avelia Liberty trainset. Amtrak/Alstom Merrill Technologies and Alstom personnel pose with the first completed Avelia Liberty power car shell. Pete Hudeck, Merrill Technologies NEW YORK — The Avelia Liberty, the next-generation high speed trainset for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor service, reached a construction milestone this week, as the first body shell […]
Montana short line paints locomotives in honor of local high schools NEWSWIRE

A Mission Mountain Railroad locomotive shows off its new paint scheme honoring a local high school. Justin Franz COLUMBIA FALLS, Mont. — Watco’s Mission Mountain Railroad has painted two GP39-2 locomotives in the colors of two area high schools, a major departure from the regular Watco black and yellow livery. WAMX No. 3942 has been […]
Age of Steam Roundhouse hires executive director NEWSWIRE

Ohio’s Age of Steam Roundhouse has a new executive director for the Sugarcreek landmark. Trains: Jim Wrinn SUGARCREEK, Ohio — A Pennsylvania museum director has been named executive director of the Age of Steam Roundhouse and the Jerry and Laura Jacobson Foundation. Noel B. Poirier began his new duties on July 16. Poirier had been […]
Analysis: Amtrak trends continue in exploration of outside food service providers

The lone breakfast offering on the Lake Shore Limited on Sept. 13, 2018. Amtrak is seeking information for possible outsourcing of its food service. WASHINGTON — Claiming to look for “transformational service models and industry best practices for Managed Food and Beverage Service,” Amtrak issued a request for information on Aug. 31 that could lead […]
CN export coal traffic ramping up in Canada and U.S. NEWSWIRE

Canadian National’s coal traffic. Canadian National DANA POINT, Calif. — Canadian National coal traffic, already up sharply this year, will continue to grow this fall and winter as export coal production ramps up at mines in Western Canada. “Coal is a huge opportunity for us,” Paul Butcher, CN’s vice president of investor relations, told an […]
‘Skookum’ photo charter sold out; wait list started for second session NEWSWIRE

Skookum, a rare 2-4-4-2 in Oregon, is days away from being fired up for the first time in 63 years. Tim Thompson GARIBALDI, Ore. — The Trains Magazine / Oregon Coast Scenic photo charter with rare 2-4-4-2 steam locomotive Skookum, featured in our October 2018 issue, is sold out, organizers said Thursday, but a waiting […]
A decade after Chatsworth wreck, risk of ‘tragic’ accidents remains NEWSWIRE

This memorial plaque near the accident site recalls the victims of the Chatsworth collision on Sept. 12, 2008. TRAINS: David Lassen The site of the Chatsworth memorial plaque. An Amtrak Pacific Surfliner passes in the background. TRAINS: David Lassen CHATSWORTH, Calif. — On Sept. 12, 2008, an engineer on a commuter train received a text […]
Amtrak announces cancellations, schedule changes because of hurricane NEWSWIRE

Amtrak’s Auto Train departs Sanford, Fla. The train is among those cancelled because of the approaching Hurricane Florence. TRAINS: David Lassen NEW YORK — Amtrak will cancel much of its service in the southeastern U.S. and modify other schedules beginning Wednesday, in anticipation of the arrival of Hurrican Florence. The following trains have been cancelled […]
Illinois slows plan to expand Hiawatha service NEWSWIRE

A northbound Amtrak Hiawatha passes through the Glen of North Glenview, Ill., Metra station. Glenview’s opposition has led the state of Illinois to slow plans for expanded Hiawatha service. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — A plan to increase Amtrak Hiawatha service between Milwaukee and Chicago has been delayed because of local concerns about noise and […]