Wisconsin Northern adds SD45Rs to roster NEWSWIRE

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Wisconsin Northern SD45 No. 43 virtually sparkles in new paint. The locomotive is one of two recently refurbished and purchased by the railroad. Steve Smedley CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. — Add Progressive Rail Inc.’s Wisconsin Northern Railroad to the list of operators of rebuilt SD45R carbodies with the addition of twin units Nos. 43 and 45. […]

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Durango & Silverton 2-8-2 No. 476 steams again NEWSWIRE

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Durango & Silverton 2-8-2 No. 476 steams again on Feb. 14, prior to a test run to Rockwood, Colo. D&SNGRR DURANGO, Colo. — One of the Silverton train’s classic K28s has returned to steam after 19 years of inactivity and an extensive multi-year rebuild. Rio Grande Mikado No. 476 made a test run to Rockwood, […]

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Big Boy versus Allegheny

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This C&O 2-6-6-6 strains mightily to get her 70 loads of eastbound coal moving at Thurmond, W. Va., in 1956. The Balky 1624 had slipped down, then cut off and run ahead to put down sand, and is now trying again. A full third of her tremendous engine weight rests on her lead and trailing […]

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Where to find Big Boy locomotives

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With clouds overhead mimicking steam, Big Boy No. 4004 sleeps in October 2013 at Cheyenne’s Holliday Park, just a few blocks from UP rails. Jim Wrinn No. 4004 • Holliday Park, Cheyenne, Wyo. BUILDER’S DATE: September 1941 SERIAL NUMBER: 69575 HISTORY: The fifth Big Boy constructed seems to have had an uneventful career. LIFETIME MILEAGE: […]

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UPDATE: Amtrak CEO says passenger trains will not run over track without PTC or PTC waiver NEWSWIRE

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Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson Amtrak WASHINGTON — If railroads that host Amtrak passenger trains fail to meet Congress’ statutory requirement to have positive train control installed Dec. 31, 2018, Amtrak’s president says the company will drop service on lines that don’t comply. The move would significantly disrupt passenger service on virtually every Amtrak route in […]

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Helper locomotive crews

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On Aug. 6, 2012, a single Illinois Central manned helper locomotive brings up the rear of a southbound Canadian National intermodal train working up Byron Hill on the Waukesha Subdivision near Byron, Wis. Tom Danneman Q How do locomotive engineers know they are doing equal work on trains equipped with manned helpers? – Robert A. […]

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SEPTA begins ACS-64 locomotive testing NEWSWIRE

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Siemens-made SEPTA ACS-64 No. 901 moves through Roslyn, Pa., on Feb. 10. Gary Pancavage PHILADELPHIA — Watch for sleek new power on lines in and around the City of Brotherly Love as the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority begins testing their first copy of Siemens’ ACS-64 electric locomotive. Railfans spotted SEPTA No. 901 at the intersection […]

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