HOUSTON — The Houston Metro transit agency is preparing to go to voters for approval of long-term transit plans, but some possible rail projects won’t be presented to voters. A proposal for a light rail line along Washington Avenue to downtown is not far enough along to be included in the first round of projects. […]
A Twin Cities & Western train departs Hopkins with a transfer run to Minneapolis on former Milwaukee Road track, June 26, 2019. Steve Glischinski GLENCOE, Minn. – The Twin Cities & Western Railroad will embark on track improvements this summer, thanks to a grant from the Federal Railroad Administration. The Consolidated Rail Infrastructure & Safety Improvement […]
Nearly every week, Trains editors present a round-up of the week in rail news. This week, Jim and Steve talk about Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1309; Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson’s testimony in front of Congress; and how a slug delayed thousands of Japanese passengers. […]
Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 leads an excursion consist passed Granger, Wyo., in May 2019. Though limited, Union Pacific is allowing limited excursions behind the giant steam locomotive. Justin Franz Q: After 150th Golden Spike excursion, will there be other chances to ride the Big Boy 4014? — Daniel Miltenberger, Jacksonville, Fla. A: Union […]
A side view of Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 on a test run in May 2019. TRAINS: Jim Wrinn Q: With interest in the completion Union Pacific’s Big Boy’s restoration, how does the weight of the boiler get down to the front drivers? — Carl Amerlan, Downers Grove, Ill. A: Great question! As an […]
Union Pacific Big Boy 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 arrives in downtown Cheyenne, Wyo., on May 4, 2019. The locomotive was chosen for restoration for a variety of reasons. TRAINS Staff Q: I may have missed it, but why was UP 4014 picked over all other displayed Big Boys? — Tom Otoski, Dayton, Ohio A: A combination […]
PHILADELPHIA — Amtrak is suing the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority in federal court, as it seeks a dramatic increase in rent in a dispute over land SEPTA leases along the Northeast Corridor. Since 1987, SEPTA has paid $1 a year for land along the corridor it uses for stations and parking lots; the transit agency […]
FRA Deputy Administrator Quintin Kendall Federal Railroad Administration website WASHINGTON — Quintin Kendall is now the deputy administrator for the Federal Railroad Administration. An FRA representative alerted media to the appointment in a late Thursday email notice. Before assuming the No. 2 spot at FRA, Kendall was CSX Transportation’s vice president for government and community […]
Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railway 2-8-0 No. 332 is under steam at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum’s shop in Duluth on June 25, 2019. David C. Schauer DULUTH, Minn. – For the first time since 1962, a Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range steam locomotive is under steam with proper Missabe Road lettering. On June […]
NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board has passed a resolution supporting the right to ban repeat criminal offenders from subways and buses. The resolution was proposed at a committee meeting on Monday by board member Sarah Feinberg, the former head of the Federal Railroad Administration [See “New York MTA to consider subway, bus […]
NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern will begin rolling out its new TOP21 operating plan on Friday. “The first phase of train plan changes in TOP21 predominantly affects the merchandise service,” NS says in a service alert. “While these changes are not expected to result in service disruptions, NS will have an internal command center in […]
CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Amtrak has restored service to and from Norfolk., Va., today after it was suspended following a Tuesday Norfolk Southern derailment, but that derailment has raised environmental concerns. Thirty-six cars of a coal train derailed into the Great Dismal Swamp National Refuge early Tuesday. The manager of the refuge, Chris Lowie, told the […]
