Amtrak plans track work at Penn Station as Portal Bridge cutover continues: news report (updated)

Crew members in bucket lifts prepare catenary wiring

NEW YORK — Amtrak has scheduled a week of urgent track repairs at New York’s Penn Station to coincide with the final week of the current service changes accommodating the Portal Bridge cutover, NorthJersey.com reports. The work is scheduled to begin March 9 and end March 15, the same day that work is slated to […]

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Class I railroad traffic: 2025 in review

WASHINGTON — Tariffs, geopolitical tensions, a persistently soft truck market, and an uncertain economy marked an eventful 2025, but U.S. rail traffic still managed to eke out a 1.5% gain last year. All six Class I railroads, in fact, posted year-over-year gains in overall volume. On paper, Canadian Pacific Kansas City recorded the biggest percentage […]

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UP derailment near Dunsmuir halts Coast Starlight operations

Union Pacific logo without slogan. UP Bailey Yard explosion appear to be accidental.

DUNSMUIR, Calif. — Operation of Amtrak’s Coast Starlight remains disrupted following a Sunday, March 1, derailment of a Union Pacific train at the Cantara Loop near Dunsmuir. According to a local TV report, about 19 cars derailed Sunday evening. UP told the broadcaster today (Tuesday, March 3) that no hazardous materials were involved and cleanup […]

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Solomon to lead Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania photo session

Man holding camera with yellow train in background. Soloman to lead Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania photo session.

STRASBURG, Pa. — Railroad photographer, author, and Trains columnist Brian Solomon will lead a photo session at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania on Tuesday, March 10. The program — Railroad Photography: The Steam Locomotive — runs from 9 to 11 a.m. Using the museum’s unique collection of historic steam locomotives, built between the 1830s and […]

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Federal judge says administration can’t kill New York’s congestion tolling (updated)

Message board with words "congestion pricing" on New York street

NEW YORK — The Trump Administration’s effort to kill New York’s congestion tolling program — which helps fund Metropolitan Transportation Authority capital projects — has been ruled illegal by a federal judge. The government cannot revoke its previous approval of the program, U.S. District Court Judge Lewis L. Liman wrote in a 149-page ruling today […]

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March 2026

The cover of Trains magazine for March of 2026, which features a yellow locomotive advancing towards the camera in a snowy town

In every issue News & Analysis, p. 4 Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern detail merger plans Bill Stephens, p. 12 Amtrak should replace Superliners with single-level cars Brian Solomon, p. 44 Amtrak is in equipment transition mode Preservation, p. 46 Chicago & North Western 4-6-0 No. 1385 steams again […]

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C&O Historical Society George Washington Train Show announced

Man handing out paper hats next to small ride-on train. C&O Historical Society George Washington Train Show announced.

CLIFTON FORGE, Va. — The Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society will host its annual George Washington Train Show on March 21-22. The show takes place in two venues: the C&O Railway Heritage Center (701 Main St.) and the Clifton Forge Armory (724 Commercial Ave.). A $5 admission grants access to both venues. The show is […]

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CPKC sets grain-hauling record for second straight month

Grain train led by red locomotive

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Kansas City said today it has broken its February monthly record for transporting Canadian grain and grain products, moving 2.232 million metric tonnes last month. The prior record for February was set in February 2021. Last month’s 23,088 carloads also set a new February monthly record, beating the high also […]

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OmniTRAX debuts restored private car

Blue and white private car

WASHINGTON — OmniTRAX has restored a business car built in 1959 to operation, debuting the car with a trip to Washington for the annual Railroad Day on the Hill industry event on Wednesday, March 4. The car, christened as Savannah Sunrise by the company, was built by National Steel Car and has undergone a years-long […]

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CPKC becomes first Class I to unveil America 250 locomotive

CALGARY, Alberta — Canadian Pacific Kansas City took the wraps off its America 250 locomotive today, becoming the first Class I railroad to mark the nation’s semiquincentennial with a specially painted locomotive. “This locomotive, built and painted in Fort Worth, Texas, honors the remarkable and proud history of America as we prepare to mark the nation’s […]

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Modeling the Buckingham Branch in HO scale

Color illustration showing short hood and cab of HO scale EMD hood unit painted gray, red, black, and white with red, white, and yellow graphics on white background.

Q: I model the Shenandoah Valley in HO scale and I have some questions. Where can I find HO scale Buckingham Branch locomotives (preferably GP38-2s) and rolling stock? If there are none available, what paint and decals should I use to custom decorate a GP38-2? — Caleb Miller A: The Buckingham Branch (BB) is a […]

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Long court battle could add more than $1 billion to cost of Hudson Tunnel

Tunnel portals in construction area

NEWARK, N.J. — A prolonged court fight over funding for the Hudson Tunnel project could add over $1 billion to the final cost of the rail tunnels between New York and New Jersey, NJ.com reports. That figure comes from an online forum conducted Monday, March 2, by the Regional Plan Association, a nonprofit planning group […]

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