CHICAGO — Newly released video taken from the cab of a Metra commuter train shows the train narrowly missing a vehicle as it passed through a crossing where the gates had not lowered. It was the second video of a harrowing close call that took place Nov. 9 on the Metra Rock Island Line tracks at […]
Section: News & Reviews
Metra: Three trains passed crossing with faulty signals, gates NEWSWIRE
CHICAGO — Not one but three Metra trains passed through a grade crossing in Mokena, Ill., where the gates and signals had failed to operate properly, narrowly missing several vehicles, Metra officials acknowledged Wednesday. The incidents took place Nov. 9 on Metra’s Rock Island line at the 191st Street crossing. A near hit involving one […]
Rose continues assault on Precision Scheduled Railroading NEWSWIRE
BNSF Executive Chairman Matt Rose TRAINS: David Lassen LOMBARD, Ill. — Matt Rose continues spiking hard on Precision Scheduled Railroading. Speaking before the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers on Wednesday, BNSF Railway’s executive chairman laid out additional considerations and problems he sees with the continued roll-out of PSR. He spoke candidly on the topic a […]
Several light rail projects to debut in 2019 NEWSWIRE
A Denver RTD light rail train approaches the University of Denver station in September 2018. The system is slated to open a 2.3-mile extension in 2019. TRAINS: David Lassen This is part two of Trains News Wire’s look at transit projects in 2019. Tuesday’s part 1 is available here. Today’s article focuses on light rail […]
Two western U.S. railroad museums had a great 2018 and have big plans for 2019 NEWSWIRE
The Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden hopes to cover more of its outside exhibits in 2019. Trains: Jim Wrinn SACRAMENTO, Calif. and GOLDEN, Colo. – Two prominent western U.S. railroad museums made significant progress in 2018 and are moving ahead with ambitious plans for 2019. In Sacramento, the California State Railroad Museum created an exhibit […]
West Virginia short line expands NEWSWIRE
A Big Eagle Railroad coal train, operated by train crews with Appalachian Railcar Services, hauls loaded CSXT hoppers to the CSX interchange at Chesapeake, W.Va., along the former Winifrede Railroad’s 6-mile branch line. Chase Gunnoe CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Watco Cos.’ Kanawha River Railroad is expanding its presence in southern West Virginia with the operation of […]
WiFi Model Railroad LocoFi locomotive decoder
LocoFi board and pre-wired speaker Throttle app screenshot For those who don’t wish to convert a layout to Digital Command Control (DCC), LocoFi by WiFi Model Railroad provides an intriguing option for independent locomotive control as well as on-board sound. Unlike DCC, LocoFi doesn’t require additional layout components such as command stations, boosters, or conventional […]
Broadway Limited Imports N scale EMD F7
Broadway Limited Imports N scale EMD F7 Electro-Motive Division’s F7, the most popular hood unit diesel ever made, is being offered in N scale with a little something extra – Broadway Limited Imports (BLI)’s Rolling Thunder. The subwoofer system turns the sounds generated by the model’s Paragon3 decoder into an earth-shaking experience. Broadway Limited’s N […]
Bachmann HO scale Sound Value GG1
Bachmann HO scale Sound Value GG1 GG1s have been riding the model rails almost as long as they did the prototype railroads. Bachmann Trains has added an HO scale model of Raymond Loewy’s Pennsylvania RR masterpiece to their Sound Value line. The dual-mode-decoder-equipped model operates with sound on direct-current (DC) and Digital Command Control (DCC) […]
Atlas Santa Fe class BX-177 boxcar in N, HO scales
Atlas Santa Fe class BX-177 boxcar in N, HO scales An Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe class BX-177 plug-door boxcar is now available in N and HO scales from Atlas Model Railroad Co. Don’t confuse this Master Line car with the BLMA (now Atlas) class BX-166 double-plug-door boxcar that I reviewed in the March 2016 […]
2019 to be a boom year for transit projects NEWSWIRE
A TEXRail train passes the station at Grapevine, Texas. The first new transit system of 2019, TEXRail began full service on Jan. 10. Lance Lassen Denver RTD’s G Line, using the same equipment shown on the A Line route serving the airport, is expected to open in 2019. TRAINS: David Lassen First of two parts […]
Canadian agency to investigate rail performance in Vancouver, B.C., area (updated) NEWSWIRE
VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Canadian Transportation Agency announced on Monday that it will investigate rail freight performance in the area of Vancouver, British Columbia — the first time it is using its new authority to launch such investigations. Canadian National and Canadian Pacific responded with statements defending their performance in the Vancouver area, with CP […]
