OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The Oklahoma House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved House Bill 2472, a Republican-backed measure to allow law enforcement to fine railroads up to $10,000 for blocking grade crossings for more than 10 minutes. The bill, which enjoys large bi-partisan support, passed by a vote of 92-5, and will now move forward to […]
Section: News & Reviews
Short line group buys New England Southern NEWSWIRE
CONCORD, N.H. — United Rail, Inc., said Monday that it has acquired the New England Southern Railroad in New Hampshire. NES operates a 22-mile rail line in the Concord, N.H., area, and interchanges with Pan Am Railways for southbound freight shipments. According to a statement from United Rail, the acquisition of New England Southern gives […]
New model trains for the week of February 28, 2019
Atlas Model Railroad Co. HO scale Electro-Motive Division GP38 and GP40 diesel locomotives HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division GP38 and GP40 diesel locomotives. New paint schemes. GP38: Conrail (American Revolution Bicentennial scheme in one road number, blue with white sill stripe in two numbers) and Bangor & Aroostook (dark blue and gray). GP40: Georgia RR […]
Colorado Railroad Museum receives Manitou & Pikes Peak cars NEWSWIRE
The former Manitou & Pikes Peak cars rest after delivery in Golden in mid-February. Two photos, Colorado Railroad Museum: Matthew Isaacks GOLDEN, Colo. – The Colorado Railroad Museum has received three power and passenger cars from the Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cog Railway, formerly the Manitou & Pike’s Peak Railway. Nos. 7, 9, and 12 were […]
CSX’s sharply reduced capital spending is in line with railroad’s needs, CEO says NEWSWIRE
MIAMI — CSX Transportation’s capital spending is perfectly in line with the railroad’s current maintenance and growth needs, CEO Jim Foote says. The railroad will spend about $1.6 billion this year to maintain its network and embark on a handful of modest intermodal terminal expansion projects, down from $2.7 billion in 2016 — about a […]
Developers seek to build high-rises above Metra tracks near Soldier Field NEWSWIRE
CHICAGO — Real estate developers have rekindled decade-old plans to build high-rise buildings above 34 acres of railroad tracks near downtown Chicago used by Metra Electric and South Shore Line trains and formerly used by the old Illinois Central. The key developer, Gerald Fogelson, is responsible for building the massive Central Station residential development on […]
New Mexico State Legislature Considers Amendment Mandating Two-Man Crews NEWSWIRE
The New Mexico state legislature is considering an amendment to Section 63-2-2 of NMSA 1978, which would require two-man crews to operate freight trains. The amendment “HB 244” would require two crew members to be in the cab during operations of freight trains with the exception of hostling and remote-control locomotives in railyards. During a […]
Will California have to return high speed rail money to feds? NEWSWIRE
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – It’s likely that the California High Speed Rail Authority would have already lost access to the $929 million grant that the Federal Railroad Administration is now seeking to terminate had not President Barack Obama acted in the final hours of his administration to extend the deadline for completion of the Central Valley […]
Trains News Wire round-up for the week of Feb. 22, 2019 NEWSWIRE
Each week, Trains editors discuss all the news that is fit to publish. This week, Associate Editor Brian Schmidt and Digital Editor Steve Sweeney talk about the California High Speed Rail dilemma, bad weather cutting rail capacity, a locomotive purchase for Metra, and more. Only from Trains! […]
Battle over California high speed rail likely to figure in 2020 election NEWSWIRE
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The front-page brawl between California and the White House over the state’s troubled high speed rail project represents a long-simmering feud that some observers believe could continue into the 2020 election cycle. California has sued the Trump administration 46 times, most recently in opposition to the president’s declaration of a national emergency […]
B&O Museum’s new executive director has a big anniversary in mind NEWSWIRE
B&O Museum Executive Director Kris Hoellen B&O Museum BALTIMORE — In the midst of a snow and ice storm, while scrambling to deal with the last minute details of the upcoming 191st anniversary celebration of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad’s founding, B&O Museum Executive Director Kris Hoellen took a break to talk with Trains about […]
Canadian National’s chief transportation officer leaves railroad NEWSWIRE
John Orr Canadian National website MONTREAL — Canadian National’s chief transportation officer, who was responsible for day-to-day operations on the 19,600-mile system, has left the railway. John Orr, who joined CN in 1985 as a conductor and rose through the ranks, was named senior vice president and chief transportation officer in August 2018 as one […]
