CSX wants to end locomotive pusher operations NEWSWIRE

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A Morley, Tenn., based pusher has just exited a helper pocket in Morley and will soon assist a 100-car train across Duff Mountain on CSX’s former L&N KD Subdivision in rural Tennessee. Chase Gunnoe JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation is in the early stages of getting rid of locomotive pusher operations systemwide. The news was […]

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Frac (sand) is back NEWSWIRE

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Canadian National unit sand train U75081-18 passes by the Metra station in Antioch, Ill. Powering the train is rebuilt AC44C6M No. 4016, formerly Norfolk Southern C40-9 No. 8849. Trailing the rebuilt locomotive is C44-9W No. 8276, and SD70M-2s Nos. 2661 and 8942. Video by Chris Guss TRAINS: Rick Johnson Railroads are enjoying a resurgence in […]

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Trains Presents: D & I Railroad

Join Trains for a look at the unique D & I Railroad. You’ll see EMD power move heavy stone trains between Dell Rapids, S.D., and Sioux City, Iowa, on this shipper-owned line. Be sure to check out our feature story on the railroad in the September 2017 issue! […]

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Charlie’s Trackside Postcards: Charlie’s New Office

View from an office building overlooking railroad tracks and a freight waterway in the Pacific Northwest.

When we first met Charlie, his temporary office was located at a metro Seattle airport. Nowadays, he’s happily situated in a new downtown waterfront office with all of the essential creature comforts – including a rooftop view of BNSF freight, Amtrak passenger, and Sound Transit commuter trains. It’s enough to make Drew and many other railfans […]

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Amtrak inspection train travels ‘Montrealer’ route NEWSWIRE

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ST. ALBANS, Vt. — An Amtrak inspection trip ran today from St. Albans to Montreal over the normally freight only Swanton Subdivision of both New England Central and Canadian National. Montrealer service ended in 1995 and more than two dozen rail and government officials were aboard the consist of Amtrak P42 101, Amcafe 43371 and […]

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Talgo retools in Milwaukee NEWSWIRE

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A Breda A650 heavy rail vehicle from Los Angeles is among the first of dozens of cars Talgo will rebuild in Milwaukee, Wis., shops. Kevin Keefe MILWAUKEE — Spanish train manufacturer Talgo has entered the U.S. passenger-car overhaul market with a contract to rebuild transit cars for Los Angeles, using a plant it formerly occupied […]

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Locomotives’ minimum speed

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An ammeter in a GP40-2 with the short-time rating plate below. Note the duplicate time chart listed on the gauge as well. Chris Guss Q Why is it that a D.C. traction locomotive can stay below its continuous full-power minimum speed limit for only 30 minutes while an A.C. traction unit can grind away in […]

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