Digest: Amtrak selects Siemens to build new intercity trainsets

White building with Siemens sign.

Amtrak selects Siemens to build replacements for Amfleet I cars, other aging equipment Amtrak has selected Siemens to build a fleet of 83 intercity trainsets for use on the Northeast Corridor, Palmetto, and various state-supported services. The selection of Siemens as the “preferred bidder” — which is currently building cars for use on state-supported trains […]

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Digest: Capitol Corridor memo expresses concern about Oakland ballpark plan

Artist's rendering of ballpark and large buildings along railroad tracks

Oakland ballpark plan creates grade crossing issues, memo says The head of the agency operating California’s Capitol Corridor Amtrak service has voiced concerns about grade-crossing issues new a proposed new ballpark for the Oakland Athletics. The Waterfront District Ballpark adjacent to Jack London Square will require stadium visitors to cross a busy Union Pacific line […]

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Digest: Canadian federal budget includes funds for VIA infrastructure projects

VIA Rail Canada logo

Canada’s federal budget includes funds for VIA high-frequency rail, other infrastructure projects Canada’s federal budget unveiled on Monday includes $4.4 million for continued planning work on VIA Rail Canada’s proposed “high frequency rail” project, which would provide a separate, passenger-only route for part of the corridor between Toronto and Quebec City. Global News reports the […]

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Steam superlative

Steam locomotive smoking with freight train

Steam superlative The Rock Island had a fleet of 85 4-8-4s, largest in the United States. Here, No. 5058 leads a westbound freight near Lawrence, Kans., in January 1952. Photo by Robert Olmsted […]

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How to clean track on your garden railway

A drywall sander with a green Scotch-Brite pad next to gauge-1 track.

There are dozens of methods used to clean the rails in the garden. There are track-cleaning locomotives, track-cleaning cars, polishing wheels you can fit to the underside of a truck, blocks, poles with pads on the end—enough innovation to make a mousetrap inventor think his job is simple. These can be broken down into “manual” […]

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What’s next in the battle for Kansas City Southern?

Train with Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific locomotives passes one with Canadian Naitonal power

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Last year, a pair of infrastructure funds sought to take Kansas City Southern private. Last month, Canadian Pacific struck a $29 billion deal to acquire KCS. And today Canadian National topped that with an offer worth $33.7 billion. What’s next in the battle to acquire the smallest but fastest growing Class […]

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