WASHINGTON — After eight years, Amtrak is pulling the plug on one of its more successful promotions: National Train Day. In an e-mail to Trains Correspondent Bob Johnston, Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari says, “Since its inception, Amtrak Train Days/National Train Day has been a popular program, allowing us to celebrate the value that Amtrak brings […]
Coal empties for Danville, W.Va., roll by the W.E. MacCorkle Siding on CSX Transportation’s Coal River Subdivision in April 2013. Chase Gunnoe CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Coal country’s railroaders keep a watchful eye on their train crew assignments these days. They’re waiting for further cutbacks to terminals throughout West Virginia and trying not to believe too […]
MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn. — You want to shout at the truck driver and yell, “stop!” wave your arms, do something. But you know it’s already too late because in the video you’re watching, the driver is seconds away from plowing into the lead locomotive of a Canadian National freight train. The Minnesota State Patrol this […]
A Washington state man home-built a coal-or wood-fired standard-gauge steam speeder and placed it for sale on eBay. The asking price is $14,000. Ross Bendixen SAMMAMISH, Wash. — The railroad speeder can be the basis for a lot of projects. Some people like to restore motorcars to their original appearances. Others like to create their […]
A screen capture image of the Association of American Railroads’ latest updated Freight Rail Works website. Association of American Railroads’ website WASHINGTON — The Association of American Railroads today debuted the newest installment of its Freight Rail Works campaign, which explores how freight rail’s ongoing private investments in building, growing and maintaining the nation’s rail […]
BOSTON — Keolis, the international company that won a tough competition to run commuter trains out of Boston, may have second thoughts about its contract with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. According to a report by State House News Service, Keolis lost $29.3 million over the first year of its long-term contract, requiring its French […]
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Siemens celebrated a production milestone in Sacramento rail manufacturing plant recently by installing the first Cummins QSK95 engine with alternator that will power the new diesel-electric Charger locomotives. The 42,000-pound power unit, the first engine to be installed at Siemens Sacramento manufacturing plant, was successfully lowered into the locomotive by overhead […]
Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1309 traveled from Baltimore to the scenic railroad’s shops in 2014 and will be one of the largest operational steam locomotives in North America when it is restored for service later in 2016. Mason Y. Cooper Michael Gresham, center, resigned this week as the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad’s general superintendent. […]
CHICAGO — Wells Fargo & Co. says that it will rename its First Union Rail railcar finance, leasing, and fleet management business to Wells Fargo Rail. The Company’s recent acquisition of GE’s railcar and locomotive leasing business has made Wells Fargo Rail the largest and most diverse railcar and locomotive leasing company in North America […]
CSX Chairman Michael J. Ward CSX Transportation JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Chairman and CEO Michael Ward says he will be on the job three more years. In a wide-ranging exclusive interview with Trains Editor Jim Wrinn on Friday, Ward said the CSX board of directors asked him to stay on three more years. “I plan […]
The South African railway system Transnet has put 38 steam locomotives up for sale to the highest bidder. For potential North American customers, the only difficulty is that all are Cape Gauge engines set for running at 42 inches between the rails. Several of the engines were held for preservation but have now been marked […]
The Trans-Siberian Railway’s top passenger train as seen along the route. The location was not provided. Russian Embassy Russian Railway’s new website promoting Trans-Siberian Railway travel includes pop-up dialogue from passengers traveling all 5,700 miles from Moscow to Vladivostok, Russia. Russian Railways website The Trans-Siberian Railway hosts a unique passenger train with more than a […]
